When the 2018 Star Sports Greyhound Derby got underway on Thursday May 3, three of the eventual finalists occupied places in the top four of the betting.
Droopys Verve (20-1) shares favouritism with Droopys Biker. There was a little bit of 22-1 for Bruisers Bullet, Dorotas Wildcat was next in at 28-1. Dorotas Vic was available at 66-1 with Bombers Bullet and Whoops Jack trading at 80-1.
BOMBERS BULLET was beaten in his first three graded races at Towcester (A4 A5 A5), but eventually clocked a best of 28.08 (off a 4.14 sectional) for the 480m. His 5.23 sectional in the first round was his best to date in the Derby though he also a 5.20 in a trial. He has only broken 29.00 once. It was in his third round defeat by Bubbly Bluebird, but the dog who made the final of the 550m Maiden Gold Cup at Henlow, showed why he would be a major threat if near the leaders off the last bend.
BRUISERS BULLET produced the performance of his career in the Derby Invitation last year when clocking 28.78 (-10) from trap two! He produced a 5.14 sectional that night – a feat he repeated back in April. His best sectional in this year’s competition was again from trap two (5.21) in a fantastic second round dual with Rising Brandy leading to a 29.05 (-20) victory. All draws seem immaterial with victories from all four inside boxes.
DOROTAS WILDCAT has now famously never been beaten out of the inside two traps in nine races at his home course. But with two wins from three outings in white, the draw hardly looks a disaster. He won the Derby Plate in 28.90 and has broken 28.90 on six occasions and beaten the 5.20 sectional on nine occasions. His best performance this year came with a 28.79 third round win over Newinn Shadow where he clocked a 5.14 sectional.
DROOPYS VERVE will be contesting his 15th race in the final with a course and distance record of six wins and a second from seven outings – the first of those wins came from trap one. The sole defeat was in the second round where he and Wildcat clocked identical 5.20 sectionals but the local runner took the inside line. Verve’s third round 28.76 run off a sensational 5.13 sectional is the fastest time over course and distance this year, though he also has a 28.88 and a 28.98 (-10).
DOROTAS VIC only failed by a head to make last year’s quarter finals. He has eight races over the Derby course for one win – in this year’s third round – with a best ever sectional of 5.23. His Achiles Heel is his trapping and he will need all his trackcraft to add to his 13 career wins. On the negative, he has a best time of 29.00 for the course and distance – but he does happen to be trained by the most successful trainer in Derby history!
WHOOPS JACK ran four times at Towcester in 2017, all defeats. But his trainer knew that the extra stamina that comes with age would help him this time round. The 2018 record justified the faith with three wins from five race. Although it wasn’t his quickest run, the 29.18 victory over Dorotas Wildcat in the semis, was the classiest to date and a good excuse to review a 5.09 sectional.
