September was an exciting month for the sport of greyhound racing, with several big meetings taking place across the United Kingdom, including the 75th renewal of the East Anglian Greyhound Derby, the Romford Puppy Cup and the Empress Stakes. Alongside that, the return of spectators to race nights after an 18-month absence adds even more excitement to events and will only benefit greyhound racing financially.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look back at some of the notable winners from last month. Read on to find out more!
3 Steps to Victory – Savana Eruption
A unique contest, 3 Steps to Victory is contested over 480m in the heats, before being upped to 500m in the semi-finals. But the final is the real challenge, taking place over 660m and six bends at the Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield. Savana Eruption entered the traps as the favourite for this year’s renewal, and despite lagging behind the rest of the field in the early stages, he took the final bend well and streaked clear to win by three and a half lengths, as backed in the greyhound tips from Betdaq. Nipsey Hustle and Anynamewilldo were second and third respectively.
75th East Anglian Greyhound Derby – Antigua Storm
Antigua Storm headed to Yarmouth for the 75th edition of the East Anglian Greyhound Derby as the 7/4 favourite to win the race, and after two prior failed Category 1 attempts, finishing second in the Sussex Cup and the Gold Cup, he finally went one better. Last off the second bend, with Golden Sprint winner Bockos Jon Jo and King Bruno leading the way, Antigua Storm powered around the outside of the frontrunners at the final bend to go and win by nothing more than a length.
75th Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes – Pocket Lola
Despite being beaten by Bernard by a length and three quarters in the semi-final of the 75th Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes earlier in the month, Pocket Lola headed into the final at Swindon as the odds-on favourite and she duly delivered the £13,000 prize purse for trainer Seamus Cahill. Fastest out of the traps, Pocket Lola was quickly in the lead and she held on to her advantage for the whole 480 metres, beating her old foe Bernard by two lengths.
Romford Puppy Cup – Brookside Richie
One of the best puppies out there at the minute, Brookside Richie proved why he was the odds-on favourite for the Romford Puppy Cup when he burst out of the traps and used his pace early on to take the lead at the first bend. From there, he was never going to be beaten and he went on to gift David Mullins the £10,000 prize purse, whilst also landing the trainer his record fourth victory in the race. It was a second major puppy title for Brookside Richie after he won the Juvenile Classic earlier in the year.
Empress Stake – Coolavanny Aunty
Coolavanny Aunty landed trainer Angela Harrison the £12,500 prize purse in the inaugural running of the Empress Stakes. Held over 500m at Towcester, the two-year-old broke well and led home the rest of the field to win the new race for bitches only by one and a half lengths clear of her kennelmate Coolavanny Bani. Oaks champion Ballymac Trend was back in third over a further length behind the frontrunners.
Birmingham Cup – Candy Man
There was no sour taste in the mouth of trainer Carol Walker as Candy Man romped home in the Category 1 Birmingham Cup. Held up by crowding coming out of the traps, the two-year-old started to get back into contention after the second bend of the 480m race, and was soon closing the gap on the leader, Havana Class. Drifting left around the final bend threatened to ruin all of Candy Man’s hard work, but he straightened up on the home run to beat his Liz McNair-trained counterpart over the line by a shorthead.
St Leger – Space Jet
Held at Perry Barr on the same night as the Birmingham Cup, the St Leger was just as thrilling, with Space Jet smashing the track record to win the mammoth 710m contest. Leisurely out of the traps to save energy for the latter part of the lengthy race, Space Jet stormed into the lead at the last bend and went on to beat Night Time Danny, who had previously gained a substantial lead, by a length and a quarter.
