Talk Sport Forums - Marks take on bookmakers

Reading Mark Wallis today, it was interesting to read about how the greedy bookmakers put little in to the sport, yet rely on the trainers and owners to keep the sport going ..
Also maybe a couple of bets this week on two of his finalists :flowers:

Marks quotes >
It's nice to be involved in two major finals this week. One which we have it all to do to win and another where we have a great chance of lifting the title.

On Wednesday Blonde Reagan defends his TV Trophy crown at our home track Yarmouth but unlike last year at Monmore he will be almost the outsider of the field. His form has been somewhat erratic this year and he has had a few injury issues but also this is a red hot renewal of the marathon crown with the likes of the flying Musical Gaga and the talented Farloe Tango, who beat him by 8 lengths in his heat. He does however have an excellent draw in trap 6 and if he can ping the lids and lead up he might well cause a surprise.

On Thursday Bridge Ruth is a warm favourite to win the Brighton Belle where she lines up in trap 3 after a scintillating 29.64 semi-final win. Jaytee Jules only a couple a lengths off her on the clock is the main danger and Ruth must try to beat Paul Young's bitch to the bend if she is to justify her short odds.

Two big events start this week with the Coral Romford Puppy Cup beginning on Friday and Adageo Lad (formerly Swift Sean) for the connections of our 2012 winner Glanmire Lad and Benkaat Boomer, who was a nice winner on Friday, head our team. On Saturday a high class East Anglian Derby, which includes Greyhound Derby winner Sidaz Jack, kicks off at Yarmouth. Injuries to some of our team mean we may only have a couple of entries which is most unusual for us.

I can take the honour of being the last guest sitting on the RPGTV couch last Sunday as they moved from their old studio in Tottenham Court Road to a more plush looking studio at Canary Wharf.
This seems a firm commitment from the sponsors that greyhound racing on the 212 channel is here to stay and with new sponsors Betfred teaming up with the current sponsors again it shows our sport is a nice little earner for the bookmakers. :smoke:

It goes without saying this is also a chance to promote the industry along with many other opportunities but the sponsors must remember it is a struggle at the moment for the owners, trainers and breeders who supply the product and enhanced prize money for owners and appearance money for trainers must be taken into consideration or they may find that there are no greyhounds or trainers around to keep the show on the road.

Of course we know it's tough for bookmakers :-O as Ladbrokes profit margins were slightly down this last year to £900,000,000 (o)< and though not sponsors of the channel but certainly one that profits from the show Paddy Power just announced that they had record profits of £53,000,000 and we all know greyhound racing is an important part of their portfolio.

well said Mark ;)