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 IT is becoming a trademark now – a double at the major trails for the Holmrook kennel of Arthur and Irene Temple.
Saturday’s International meeting at Millstone Moor saw the Temples land two more prestigious victories, taking the pups and the seniors with their hounds Dairy Diamond and Dairy Song.
Last year at Steel Rigg it was Dog Produce winner Dairy Sound and the 2006 senior champion Dairy One who completed the same double.
But the kennel forged a remarkable reputation for the big trails with doubles in 2008 at the Dog Produce (Dairy Sound and Dairy Dancer); the Bitch Produce (Dairy Singer and Dairy Sound) and Cold Fell Festival (Dairy One and Dairy Song).
Dairy Diamond, unable to run in the Bitch Produce last week because of her Border Association mother Jigsaw, made her presence felt I the very first trail; on the international agenda.
It was an absolutely scintillating finish by Dairy Diamond, who came from a rather poor fourth place through the last gateway to storm past Desire, Toffee Dream and Brannigan.
As they charged through the open gate Brannigan and Desire looked to have the race between them, but they were eclipsed on the uphill finish and Dairy Diamond had a couple of lengths to spare at the line.
The open non winners produced another great finish as Foxparke Lady Amanda just led Newtown Ghost up the hill. It looked like Foxparke had the edge but in the last 20 yards it was the Ghost who put on a spurt to go past and win narrowly.
The battle for the senior crown involved only two at the finish despite the 27 who entered. Dairy Song and Tarantino were close together all the way up the last field, but the Temple’s representative was the better finisher and won by about four lengths.
The senior maidens were a closer affair and with four in with a chance it was Outrageous, Trebor, Jealousy and Owtback fighting out the finish.
In the end it was Jealousy that took over from Owtback, always looking the stronger up the hill, and went on to complete a second major maiden win in eight days for connections.
As for the puppy maidens it looked as though the Foxparke kennel was going to be second again, as Ellie's Choice had the lead almost to the tape. But she put her nose down and lost concentration, letting Foxparke Homeward Bound nip past for a well-deserved win by two lengths, while not far behind were Sundown and Dairy Pearl.
The open restricted produced a fast-run race, and another tight finish, with White Diamond, the leader up the field, just edged out by My Girl.
Dairy Singer was made a strong favourite to give the Temples a treble but she could only manage the special for seventh place.
There was no joy on the day for the Border hounds or the visitors from Yorkshire but the trails went-off well. Tune almost snatched the special for seventh in the pups for the Borders kennel of Ian and Barbara Telford but was edged out by Jet Rose, while all five Yorkshire entries got round to earn special prizes.
International chairman Dickie Smithson said: “I think everyone enjoyed the day and I’d just like to thank everyone who contributed to the success by helping out in various capacities.
“A special word is due to the Cockermouth and Workington Area for taking over the staging of the event at late notice.
“On a personal note I would just like to thank those people who sent cards, made phone calls or visited when my wife Joan was in hospital for a while. It was much appreciated.”
There were 66 entries for the Tipster Competition, some of the long-time leaders falling at the final hurdle when Dairy Singer, the favourite choice, was unplaced in the last trail.
The winner was James Murphy with 30 points, second Ian Rumney with 28, and joint third Lee Wall and Eric/Lynn with 27. Thank you to all who entered.
A proportion of the money goes as usual to the Air Ambulance. The competition for the Dog Produce will be the same as for the Bitch, just on the one trail.
Last Tuesday the trails were held at Dean but only four contested the senior trail. Tarantino, who was to run such a good race at the International, finished second to Alfresco.
The runner-up ion the pups Brannigan ran prominently at the Internationals, too, but couldn’t catch Matador at Dean.
Relentless won the open maidens while Quiet Lane was successful in the open restricted.
In gorgeous surroundings at Crag Farm, Ennerdale on Wednesday there was a good turnout of 56 runners for the three trails.
Westgate Ruby was sent-off favourite for the senior trail and was seen going well with a long lead at one stage but when they came back into view she had plenty of company.
 Hot Fuss led onto the finish and looked to be going well with Westgate Ruby now back in fourth. The obvious danger was Momento who came with a late charge and got up with four lengths to spare for a good victory.
The pups produced a cracking finish between Desire, the Bitch Produce winner and Jet Rose. On the run to the line both had their noses in front at different times but when it mattered the Whitehaven hound got in front and actually took the verdict by three lengths.
In the open restricted trail Alles Springs was sent off the favourite and had few alarms in bringing home the bacon. Once she had showed with the lead there was never any doubts because she kept pulling away to win by a distance.
Reigning champion Westgate Kyza was given a race at Oulton on Thursday but eventually obliged by a couple of lengths.
Busy Night had shown with the lead but is not the most genuine of finishers and Kyza gradually came through to lead and win handily. These two were well clear of the others.
In the pups Mika looked to adding to her championship tally but Infinity finished really well to come past and won by three quarters of a length.
There was an electric finish by Thorn Girl to win the open maidens, storming home from the last dyke where she was third to beat Pursuit by a couple of lengths.
On Monday at Wath Brow it was Alliance who dominated the finish and went on to win by five lengths from Bushie.
In the pups five of them got to the beck with a chance but it was Chardonnay who coped best and when they emerged had a handy lead, going on to win by 15 lengths from Jet Rose.
There wasn’t much doubt about the open restricted as Elessar came comfortably clear on the finish and won unchallenged, some 25 lengths clear of Black Poppy and River Storm who dead-heated for second place.
On Tuesday there were two meetings, at Staveley Head and at Grange Grassings.
The senior trail at Grange Grassings was won by Show Girl who had some ten lengths to spare over Sophisticated Narnia.
Quiet Swallow looked to be in strong contention towards the finish of the pups but ran off and the in-form Matador battled through to beat Hunter’s Lane by three lengths.
In the open restricted That’s a Deal and Sandy Bay had the finish between them. They were a long way clear of the rest and That’s a Deal got the verdict by three quarters of a length.
There were four trails at Staveley Head where an excellent turn-out of 91 runners produced some good racing on a lovely night.
Lofty is a veteran now but can still mix it with the best although is record over the years is littered with second places. This was the case again as Boreas had his measure to win for the first time this season.
Two of the three leading pups squared up in the junior trail and the Bitch Produce winner Desire added to her tally with an impressive win over Mika.
It’s six years since Dairy Dancer added to the Temple’s CV with the puppy championship and she can still get round, leading home 33 other open maidens, with the best of them Sundown who is a pup by Dairy One.
The open restricted went to Extra Hot who beat Claymore and Beyonce.
Bryan Allison's son Greg has been in touch from Canada, eager to obtain any photos of Bryan at the trails or at any presentations. If you have anything, and would be prepared to have it copied for Greg, please let the secretary Margaret Baxter know and she will make arrangements.
Greg is compiling a scrapbook and anything lent will be returned.
Margaret Baxter took the shot of Dairy Diamond, Dairy Song, Newtown Ghost and Jealousy with connections at the head of the colum. Mal Walker was at Wath Brow on Monday and snapped Alliance going over the wall on her way to victory; Chardonnay and Elessar with connections. Mal's prints can be bought at £25 for an A4 framed and £40 for an A3 framed. Prints only are £10 A4 and £15 A3.
Recent results from the Border Association: - Tuesday 16th June, Carat Rigg.
Seniors: 1, Spring Midget; 2, Eagle Gill; 3, Georgie’s Girl; 4, Trust; 5, Castle Corrie; 6, Denton Friendship. 14 ran, time 32.48.
Senior Maidens: 1, Jedi; 2, Lakeland Mist; 3, Hot Response; 4, Spring Raider; 5, Maggie’s Dream. Only five finished, 6 ran, time 36.16.
Pups: 1, Castle Cairn; 2, Spring Dream; 3, Fire Cracker; 4, Gemini; 5, Jacko; 6, Denton Princess. 9 ran, time 14.59.
Puppy Maidens: 1, Spring Gale; 2, Kim; 3, Langdale; 4, Amber Gem; 5, Ollie; 6, Summer Virtue. 7 ran, time 15.51.
All in: 1, Freedom; 2, Silver Birch; 3, Delta Dancer.
Tuesday 23rd June, Wintershields.
Seniors: 1, Trust; 2, Marshman; 3, Farm Time; 4, Fire Ranger; 5, Denton Friendship; 6, On-Line. 11 ran, time 26:48.
Senior Maidens: 1, Skylark; 2, Lakeland Mist; 3, Fire Mist; 4, Spring Raider; 5, Jedi; 6, Maggie’s Dream. 6 ran, time 27:56.
Pups: 1, Spring Dream; 2, Bantry Bay; 3, Tune; 4, Jacko; 5, Gemini; 6, Fire Cracker. 18 ran, time 18:17.
Open Restricted: 1, Major; 2, Houxty Beck; 3, Gold Finger; 4, Mandesha; 5, Eagle Gill; 6, Silver Birch. 22 ran, time 18:10.
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