Mick the Miller wins again ! For
further details see Mick The Miller. |
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| With grateful thanks to Roland Tingey for
the pictures from his unique collection of greyhound memorabilia |
1930 PRE-FINAL
There was an
anticipation that the fourth Greyhound Derby was to be a one dog race, Mick being
considered so much superior to his rivals. He duly won his opening heat by 15 lengths in a
time of 30.14 but this was to be bettered by Deemster in 29.90, while Jack Bob was not
seen as a forlorn hope. In the second round Mick was anything but impressive. He was led
for most of the race by firstly Moss Knowe and then Swashbuckler, but eventually took
command just holding off the challenge of Jack Bob by a length and a half. The supporters
of heavily backed Deemster were upbeat, but this was shortlived. Deemster, although strong
favourite for his second round heat, broke a hock and his challenge to Mick’s
supremacy was over. In the semi final the press began to oppose Mick because of his
lacklustre display in the previous round. He was opposed by Dresden and Tipperary Hills. Tipperary led from the traps and used track craft to pen Mick in on
the rails. A good tussle developed down the back straight with Dresden and Mick challenging Tipperary. Once Mick got to the front the battle was not over and
his two main opponents challenged him right to the line. Jack Bob made his way to the
final from the other semi. |
1930 FINAL
Although Mick was
made the 9/4 on favourite the 1930 final was not seen as a foregone conclusion. He was
opposed by a staying bitch, Bradshaw Fold, and by the previous years Irish Derby winner Jack Bob. Mick was drawn on the inside and this
proved to be to his advantage. Although he was led at the first bend he railed cleverly
and left his opponents standing down the back straight. His biggest asset was his superb
trackcraft and he won convincingly by 3 lengths, in a time of 30.24, from the trap 3
bitch, Bradshaw Fold, with the Irish Derby winner bringing up the rear. |
WINNERS PROFILE
Mick, named after
Father Brophy’s handyman, Mick Miller, continued to be a sensation the second time he
contested the Derby. Even though he was frequently drawn in trap
4 he won every heat, semi final and final in the first 2 years of contesting the event.
Between Derbies he won the International event at West Ham, the Champion Stakes at Wimbledon, but was narrowly beaten by a short head in the final of
the London Cup at the White City. Amazingly, just a couple of days after winning the Derby
he contested the Cesarewitch at West Ham and won all his heats and the final. Any distance
seemed to suit Mick. He finished his racing career on 3rd October 1931 at Wembley, winning the St Leger over a distance of 700
yards. His racing career consisted of 15 wins from 20 races in Ireland, and 46 wins from 61 English races. He lived to the age
of 13. |
| Any more information via email to:-
Email me at johnwslusar@gmail.com |
