We’re now just 12 weeks away from the first round of the Star Sports, Arc and LPS Greyhound Derby 2019 to be staged for the inaugural time at Nottingham stadium writes MARK PIERREPONT.
Costings and package details for the competition throughout were this week announced by Nottingham, there appears to be something for all and for every budget. Star Sports have taken command of the area usually used by the trainers vehicles on the second bend for the final itself and it promises to be an exciting area to view the action from.
So much is decided as the greyhounds power off the second bend and head away down the back straight, at just £36 per person which includes entrance, racecard, a seat in the Star Sports corner stand, 2 x £1 lucky dip jackpot bets and a burger and chips meal, it’s sure to be a popular choice amongst punters.
General trackside admission has been set at £25.00 which again includes 2 x £1 lucky dip bets, whilst the main restaurant itself is a black tie event costing £130 for a 5 course menu, champagne upon arrival and half bottle of wine per person.
The outside area near to the first bend will contain the paddock marquee and the price for this area has been set at £90 per person. For this punters will receive admission, racecard, a seat in the paddock marquee, 2 course premium buffet, champagne upon arrival and 2 x £1 lucky dip jackpot bets.
I spoke to Jason Gander, senior greyhound trader for sponsor Star Sports bookmakers and he tells me that the antepost market so far has been relatively quiet.
Best backed with the firm to date have been the Matt Dartnall trained Antigua Romeo who has been bet to take £15,000 out of the book whilst antepost favourite Dorotas Wildat and Magical Bale both take out around £5000.
The antepost market is sure to kick into action once the greyhounds start trialling around the Colwick Park venue in preparation for the competition and I will be reporting any bets of interest once they start rolling into the Star Sports office.
There is a high quality meeting taking place at Sheffield on Saturday, numerous greyhounds who will have Derby honours in their sights will be taking part in races on the night with the highlight being the Racing Post Juvenile.
Ballymac Osby, Seaglass Phantom, Pond Adonis, Droopys Heron, Droopys Trapper and Newinn Banger will all head into traps at 918pm and will hope to emerge victorious in this prestigious race around 29 seconds later.
One greyhound who controversially missed out on a place in the Juvenile line up is the Carl Perry trained Geelo Blissful however this high class bitch gets the chance to showcase her talents on what is her seasonal reappearance in a bitches open at 6.59pm.
After reaching the final of the Betfred Gymcrack as a pup in April last year, Blissful later went unbeaten through the William Hill Angel Of The North at Newcastle. Indeed Blissful recorded the fastest time ever recorded by a bitch around the track during that event when scorching to a semi final victory of 5 1/4 lengths in 2816 (+10).
Lack of high class recent trial form has been cited as a reason for Blissful missing out on the Juvenile line up, however with what is likely to be a long and hopefully successful season ahead of her, trainer Perry can probably be forgiven for not having her primed to quite scorch around the tracks at her high class best just yet.
Carl said “I was obviously disappointed not to be accepted for the Juvenile with Blissful, I felt she’d done enough throughout 2018, we don’t dwell on matters though and she heads to Sheffield on Saturday for a bitches race which is absolutely red hot, it could be an Oaks final. After that the plan is to take in Lol Jones memorial night at Monmore at the end of March prior to targeting the Derby at Nottingham. Blissful runs the track well and although it’s always tough for the girls against the boys, she must take her chance and I’d not put anybody off a few quid once the top bitch markets come out.
After that, and it’s a long season and you don’t really like to make too many plans, the target would have to be to defend her Angel Of The North crown”.
I will be reporting more on the Derby with each passing week and especially as the Derby contenders begin to showcase their talents around Nottingham. There will be plenty of exclusive news and information throughout so please keep a check on the Star website.
