9-1 Swift rules the roost for Rosney in Chinn Memorial

SWIFT ROOSTER was the toast of bookmakers when landing a shock 9-1 success in the Peter John Chinn Memorial at Monmore on Saturday.

Defending champion Blonde Dino failed to make it to traps, trainer Ricky Holloway being left frustratingly caught up in motorway traffic en-route to Wolverhampton.

Withlocally trained Druids Pedrosa coming in as late reserve, Ninja Jamie lined up a solid 4-6 favourite to lift the £1,800 winner’s purse. However, backers of the East Anglian Derby winner knew they were in trouble when he flopped out the traps in last place.

Enjoying the freedom of the track, Swift Rooster paced up well to lead at the opening turn where the favourite checked off wide, cannoning into Druids Pedrosa and Droopys Carvalho.

Scotties Warrior emerged from the pack to give chase to the leader but although cutting the deficit to a length by the winning line, he never looked likely to get on terms with the 28.49sec winner.
Swift Rooster’s victory earned trainer Pat Rosney 14 Trainers’ Championship points, consolidating his position in the top six.

Rosney said: “Swift Rooster is a very good greyhound, but he needs to lead. I was worried about him breaking from trap one, and in fairness he hasn’t really come out. But he went up well and made the bend, forcing his way through almost.

“Funnily enough, I used to train the second [Scotties Warrior] as well before he got sold and he does come home so I was pleased that Swift Rooster saw it out so well.”

Swift Rooster is due to make a quick reappearance on Belle Vue’s Laurels card tomorrow along with kennelmate Windy Millar, who made an winning British debut when initiating a Rosney double.

“He did 28.96sec round Thurles when he won the Kasco Unraced back in April,” added Rosney, “and really went well in his trials for us.
“He could be justwhat we’re looking for in terms of an all-aged dog to run in the big competitions, and you’d be looking at races round the more galloping tracks for him, perhaps the [William Hill] All England Cup at Newcastle.”

Charlie Lister, trainer of Ninja Jamie, said: “It was a hopeless cause after he’d missed the break like that. It is disappointing but to be honest it was better it happened tonight than last week’s Yarmouth final.

“We’ll look to take him back to Nottingham now in preparation for the Eclipse which starts there next month.”

Blonde Dino may also be heading to Colwick Park, although trainer Ricky Holloway is not ruling out an alternative campaign with the All England Cup as a target.

“Newcastle and Nottingham are similar tracks and both should suit Blonde Dino,” he said. “I’m likely to take himto Newcastle for a trial before deciding which event would be best.”