Lame Osprey misses Produce Stakes date

WESTMEAD OSPREY, runner-up to Farloe Merlin in last month's Caffreys Puppy Classic at Nottingham, is out of the Produce Stakes after spraining a hock in a Hall Green trial last week.

Gary Slater, assistant to the dog's trainer Nick Savva, said yesterday: "He's been X-rayed and there's no break, which, of course, is good news. Hopefully he'll make a full recovery and race again next year.

"After the Produce Stakes there wouldn't have been anything for him anyway, and Nick tends not to run his dogs during the winter."

Westmead Osprey's injury is the latest in a series of hammer blows to the Savva kennel this year. The dog's brother, Westmead Diver, second to Fear Zafonic in the Graphite UK Puppy Derby at Walthamstow in June, and rated by his trainer as the fastest dog in the kennel, broke a hock in the first round of the Skybet Gymcrack the following month - also at Hall Green.

Slater added: "Westmead Diver is looking well, and getting better all the time after his injury. Hopefully, he'll be okay for next year. It's just been one of those years - they happen from time to time.

He added: "We've had plenty of winners at Hall Green over the years, but it certainly hasn't been lucky for us of late - what with the injuries picked up by Osprey, Diver, and Westmead Hawk."