1.10.22 – With apologies for an extended holiday absence, here is an Autumn roundup from the Noduff kennel.
NODUFF ARIA (pictured) has become our current running-most hound. Fred has ambled his way around Monmore Green 68 times to date over both four and six bends. His ‘keep out of trouble’ running style will hopefully continue to hold him in good stead and injury-free. He’s only won nine times but gives his all on each occasion and, if he keeps going in his current mood, the magic hundred is well within his grasp.
Another regular wunner has been NODUFF IMPERIAL. Absinthe has now taken her win tally to three from thirteen after landing her most recent A7, recording her best sectional of 4.48 and leading all the way. We don’t know how much more she can progress but timing the break well clearly makes all the difference!
NODUFF FLAMINGO won in A9 during September and divides her time between four and six bend races. Raspberry now has a record of five from thirty four. She records her best ratings over the longer trip without looking likely to trouble the winner. S3 is her grade and we await the Racing Office making these available so that she and Fred have a chance of recording a long trip victory.
Another that hasn’t been to the doctor or physio recently is NODUFF KLONDIKE. Jake has become a real enigma. Two wins from his first three runs and 28.80 in A5, he hasn’t won since. He’s been over both trips and has been returned favourite several times without getting his head in front. It’s eleven defeats on the bounce now and we don’t really know what’s wrong with him. He’s had blood tests and mediaction, he still runs at the start of the meeting because of his poor kennelling but nothing currently seems to work. Back to the drawing board as he clearly has ability he’s not showing us.
NODUFF EXCALIBUR is on a mission back to the top. Jock won twice in A1 back in the Spring and ran three times in the 28.50s. He then had a niggle, had a little time off and gradually dropped down to A4 company. Jock is better than that however, won his A4 and would have doubled up in A3 but for a massive time finder. His times are improving, now back to the 28.70s and provided he is rostered to run every week he should soon be back to top grade. Jock needs to run every six or seven days.
NODUFF HACIENDA recorded a quick-fire double in August in A2 and with a led all the way triumph in S1. Ridley has always struggled in A1 (although he does have a 480m open race win to his credit) but is now back down to A2 where his win record is better than 50%. His slight lack of early pace counts against him in top grade as he needs a clear run through. His 630m win was interesting however as nothing got to him by the pick up and, if he can lead, he might even get the marathon trip. Hopefully he’ll get more long distance chances.
That’s pretty much it for the fit end of the kennel! Sadly we’ve lost two racers in September. Lost from racing of course as we would never put a healthy dog down. Luigi has retired after a badly torn gracilis. SUPREME ODIN was a kennel stalwart and a real character – a complete nutter but with brilliant early pace. In September and despite not being anywhere near his best, Luigi recorded a 4.33 sectional which is top open class. He bows out with a splendid record of 15 wins from 65 runs. He reached A1 and when he led he was always in with a big chance. He made his debut in the snow in January 2021 and nearly ran for two years. He will make a great pet.
Also retired this month but not yet set to become a pet is NODUFF BELLAGIO. Bonnie was seeking to return from her torn gracilis when she then went and injured her other one on the opposite side! This was probably compensating for the original injury but she won’t be back to the racetrack. Her breeding however is such – her sister is Bellmore Sally – that we are going to try and have a litter with her. We may well have to wait another six months or so but the leading beaus in the frame are Pestana in Ireland and Signet Ace in England. Watch this space!
NODUFF DUNES has been out for a while with a shoulder injury and her latest physio check up results keep her off for another three weeks or so. That injury was a shame as Mia was just back from season and on the verge of winning again.
NODUFF GRAND flies the flag for us at Crayford and has done so exceptionally well winning in S1 grade and in open race company over six bends as well as A2. Wilson has a superb record of nine wins from just 24 runs. He’s been off with a strain since mid-August but will shortly be ready to trial again. Being so lightly raced for his age we are looking forward to many more races yet and this break may well have recharged his batteries.
NODUFF JOKER is another with a shoulder injury keeping him off the card. Rum won in A6 but has found A5 and S2 challenging as he lacks early pace and needs a clear run through. He last ran at the very end of August but will hopefully be back to trial later in October.
Of the March 2021 babies, NODUFF LUXOR of course fractured his hock in his second grading trial. His dressings are now off, he will weight bear for another two weeks or so then the pin will be taken out, There is some confidence, not least given his age, that he might get back to the track in the New Year. Let’s hope so as Timone had a great attitude.
NODUFF MANDALAY has had two sprint trials and is probably two trials away from grading on. We expect her to improve a lot over time. Her breeder in particular rates her very highly. She is the only predominantly white dog in the kennel.