"Eye Onthe Storm" ..Profile

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Can "Eye Onthe Storm" win the Derby this year 2010 ...

Here's Mark Wallis's profile of the dog that I think will become a Legend to greyhound racing ...

EYE ONTHE STORM (Frankie)
(Droopys Vieri - Bower Louise)
October 07 - B/W Dog

Owner - John Keefe
24 Races - 14 Wins

Eye Onthe Storm had such a fantastic year that he is a leading contender not only in the Best Newcomer but the Greyhound Of The Year titles at the industry awards bash later this month at the London Hilton Metropole. Whatever his fate his owner John Keefe and our kennel can be proud of what 'Frankie' has achieved in 2009 - 14 open wins, including category 1 victories in the Caffreys Puppy Classic and a high class Betfred Eclipse at Nottingham where he destroyed his rivals, have catapulted him to Derby favouritism in a few months' time.

Brought from John Saunders in Ireland by astute agent Liz Bodie he began his career, after qualifying trials at Hall Green, in the unraced stake at Wimbledon sponsored by Clive Lawrence of 'The Dogs' programme. Made an even money favourite it ended up a messy race and he did well to be 3rd beaten 2 lengths to Futuristic Geezer. In his second race at Coventry he again was a short priced jolly and looked set for a win but was virtually fought off the track at the second bend and finished down the field when 5th.

In his third race, the heats of the Gymcrack at Hall Green, he did well to just qualify when 3rd and then in the semi-final he showed a glimpse of what was to come with a convincing win beating Westmead Bolt by 5 lengths in a fast 28.34 (+10). The £10,000 to the winner final was won in good style by the experienced Droopys Bogart but Eye Onthe Storm didn't disgrace himself back in 3rd. After defeats at Newcastle and two at Wimbledon, including the first round of the Puppy Derby, it looked as if he was only moderate at best. His next race at Nottingham in a Puppy Classic trial stake seemed to be his defining moment. Bolting out the traps he made all to beat the useful Centurian Enry by 3 1/2 lengths in a good 30.13 (+10), a win that seemed to tell us the penny had well and truly firmly dropped.

A fine second to Jordansoilutions in the heats of the Caffreys Puppy Classic he then beat the top class Farloe Lee by 1/2 length in the semi's. Still sent off a 6/1 shot in the final dominated by Charlie Lister it looked a difficult task after a slow start but showing a burst of breathtaking pace he led at the third bend and go on to beat the highly thought of Farloe Razl by a length in 30.00 (+30) to take the £7,500 winner's prize.

The Puppy Classic win was followed by an amazing run of nine straight victories. Two at Yarmouth in good times and then a scintillating run at Hall Green where he won by over 7 lengths in a new track record 28.03. Other wins came at Belle Vue, a couple more at Hall Green and then a blistering 28.58 for the Derby course at Wimbledon proving he does run the track well.

Frankie's winning streak came to an end at Nottingham in an Eclipse trial stake but only just, beaten a short head by Farloe Lee in a hot race. He bounced back in the heats with a career best 5 length win in a fast 29.79 (+20) and followed up in the semi-final with another superb 5 1/2 length defeat of the in form Jordansoilutions in 29.99. Drawn trap 5 in the final that included Derby runner up Fear Zafonic 'Frankie' was sent off a 100/30 shot. Breaking well he simply roared up to the first bend and majestically cut in to the rails chopping off his rivals. Once in front he powered away to the delight of us all and not stopping he crossed the line 5 3/4 lengths to the good in a fastest of the year 29.51 (+40) for one of the best final wins Imperial Kennels has ever seen.

In his last race of the year before a break over the winter Eye Onthe Storm tasted defeat at Wimbledon on Oaks final night. Beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Pat Buckley's Irish raider Newlawn Class excuses could be made but on the night was beaten by the better dog. Though the loss has not dented his lofty reputation he certainly needs to learn a lot more around Plough Lane to be able to win a second Greyhound Derby for Imperial Kennels. His plan beforehand is to be aimed at the Juvenile in its new format at Wimbledon in early March and will be a key member of our Trainers Championship team up at Doncaster on March 23rd. A possible tilt at the Scottish Derby or alternatively the Blue Riband at Hall Green where he runs so well and of course where he holds the track record. His brother Eye Onthe Flash has had some fine moments himself and this magnificent looking pair of dogs are the envy of most owners in the sport.

update by BTD