Trafalagar Cup winner Freedom Emma has hit the comeback trail in great style after her seasonal rest.

The Richard Yeates trained bitch warmed up for a return to open racing with a brilliant 26.47 in a trial at the Stadium on Thursday night.

This followed two good trials at Wimbledon over 460 metres where she posted a calculated 27.88 and now has the Oaks in December at the Plough Lane track as her main target.

She also takes in an open at Wimbledon on November 14.

Her well-being will be something of a boost to her owner Stuart Locke-Hart, chairman of the Oxford Owners Association.

l IT appears that there is a shortage of British-bred greyhounds among the Oxford trainers, judging by the interest shown in the BGRB -sponsored £1,000 added kennel sweepstakes due to be run next month.

So far, the response has been disappointing with only two trainers, Tony Magnaso and Angie Kibble, able to put forward five and three runners respectively for the British-bred event.

l MICHAEL Peterson is the 1-3 favourite to topple the experienced handler Angie Kibble (5-2) in the Trainers Championship.

Peterson has moved four ahead on 214 winners with Kibble on 210.

Still, there is all to play for before the curtain comes down next month.

l THE case of the unauthorised withdrawl of Agincourt Goal from a race at Oxford has been referred to a full stewards inquiry by the BGRB stewards in London.

The owner removed the greyhound from MIchael Peterson's kennel in contradiction of rule 64a.

lGARY Baiden's book 'The History of Oxford Stadium" (£12.50), has got off to a great start with over 100 copies sold in the first two weeks.

Copies will be available at the Stadium tonight.

l THE 'wear something pink' night in aid of Breast Cancer raised just over £200.

lIT was a great night for owner Kathie Russek on Saturday.

An owner for more than 30 years, it was the first time that a dog she owned had won three races on the trot.

Talog Mercedes, trained by Terry Atkins, did the trick for Kathie.

lPADDY Curtin, top trainer at Cowley last month with 32 winners, scored at Hall Green with Stoneyholme Vito and goes back next week hoping for a double.

l THOSE were the days!

Former clerk of the course Paul Saxton discovered a copy of the Sunday Express, dated February 1943, in his daughter's attic.

It reported that Country Man, competing in the Waterloo Cup at Altcar, was the subject of a £100,000 bet.

The hound, valued at £2,500 before the race romped home before a crowd of 75,000.

l THE BGRB have introduced a new system of licences similar to a credit card, whereby they will be barcoded for scanning, and making the operation much simpler.