A LOT has been said about the shortage of greyhounds at Oxford recently.

But talking to trainers, they reckon there aren’t as many owners about and they are forced to buy their own dogs to keep a satisfactory strength as per the Stadium contracts.

You only have to look at the card to see how many dogs are owned by the trainers, but better news from Monday’s trials is the session produced a further 20 to add to the racing strength.

  • FREEDOM Emma, the top bitch in the country at the moment, is slowly coming back after a difficult seasonal rest.

The Oaks heroine, trained by Richard Yeates, will have some trials to see if she can defend her Oaks title.

Then it is off to the breeding scene where there are a number of top sires waiting in the wings here and in Ireland.

Meanwhile, after three years’ racing with trainer Angie Kibble, Fairyfield Daisy and Broadacres Aoife have been retired by the Standlake Handler.

Tony Magnasco has also retired Ardmayle Hawk after recurring injury problems. Hawk won three open races in his short career.

  • IT proved an unsuccessful long trip for trainer Michael Peterson when Tictac Gold missed his break in the £500 supporting open at Tuesday’s Sheffield televised meeting.

Gold is now earmarked for the £1,000 event at Yarmouth where Nick Colton’s Gymcrack winner Taranis Rex will also target the Yarmouth Derby after taking in a £500 open at Wimbledon on Tuesday.

  • REPRESENTATIVES from the Greyhound Board of Denmark put up two trophies on a visit to Oxford on Thursday. The Danish connection comes from trainer Michael Peterson who has sent dogs to Scandanavia.