Despite the sport going through some obviously difficult times, the year still provided us with some more than memorable performances from a whole host of top class greyhounds. As we head into 2019 I have spoken to numerous trainers and personalities from the very top echelons of the sport to ask them to put forward one or two greyhounds that Greyhound Star readers will do well to follow in the months ahead. Compiled by Mark Pierrepont
After experiencing every high the game has to offer, as well as the ultimate in low points after numerous greyhounds were stolen but thankfully all eventually recovered, there is no better man to start with than Kevin Hutton. Now, it would have been easy for Kevin to put up the name of Star Sports English Derby Winner Dorotas Wildcat, after all this is a greyhound who has it all and heads into 2019 as the ante post favourite for The English Derby once more. The greyhound that Kevin has put up though is Drive On Hunter. Bought after a debut win in Ireland in a Waterford unraced stake, winning by 3 1/2 lengths in 28.62, he has a record of just 1 from 7 here in the UK with all of his races to date coming around the 400m of Romford. Knocked over when a 6/1 chance for the recent Romford Puppy Cup Final, he might not be one that immediately springs to mind out of the Hutton kennel. Kevin though believes that the best is yet to come for this December 2016 white and brindle dog and will be seen to much better effect over a stiffer test of stamina at galloping tracks.
Though beaten into third place at a shade of odds on in the Essex Vase Final, Champion Trainer Mark Wallis puts forward Brigadier Bullet as his one to follow in all major staying races throughout the year. He looks sure to be a leading player in what is building up to be a very competitive division. Photo: Steve Nash
Peter Harnden is often seen over achieving with greyhounds not only trained by himself but also bred and reared. Though Peters dog to follow for 2019 wasn’t bred by himself, he put in the hard work from 3 months old and he nominates Salacres Barley as his dog to follow in 2019. A strapping black son of Barley Bussell, this strong running sort has a win record of 10 from 17 and must go down as extremely unlucky not to have the Category 1 Puppy Classic on his CV, beaten into third by a head and a short head, stopped in his run on numerous occasions before powering clear to the pick up. Off the card with a small injury recently however 3 sub 18 dead sprint trials at Nottingham recently show him in rude health. The dog will not be rushed but looks a six bend star in the making where his devastating middle pace is sure to cause some good dogs a worry.
Scottish Derby winning trainer Pat Rosney puts forward Newinn Banger as his dog to follow. A winner of 5 of his first 9 career races, he ran with huge credit when runner up in the recent English Puppy Derby at Henlow. Pat states that the immediate target for Banger is the Monmore Puppy Derby, but in his opinion can only improve as he grows into his 37 kilo frame.
Photo: © Steve Nash
Patrick Janssens nominates a greyhound with just one race to his name so far, which was a beaten run in a Central Park maiden, it is this August 2017 whelps 2935 calculated at the same venue which catches the eye though. Patrick is no bad judge of a greyhound so Distant Sailor is sure to be worth putting in your notebooks.
Brendan Keogh (KSS Syndicate), leading player behind the successful team of Liz and Rab McNair highlights King Lennon as the greyhound to follow from his string of top class animals. Looking green at times, winning just 2 of his opening 8 races, there is no doubting this dogs ability and he is sure to highlight his class on many occasions in the coming year. Indeed, Brendan believes this greyhound will be a leading player in the English Derby, he rates him as being right out of the top drawer.
Darren Holmes, leading member of the Carol Weatherall kennel, puts up As You Were from the June 2017 Crash x Wont Fall Behind litter. A half brother to the likes of Calico Ranger, this youngster has won his first two races in A11 and then A8 company. He has plenty of scope for improvement time wise, but Darren is no mean judge of a greyhound and he is likely to be well worth following.
Dave Mullins gave us not one, but two greyhounds to follow in the coming year. Dave put forward Piemans Bullet for the hurdle scene and also Not So Lento. Bullet made an impressive debut over hurdles at Central Park recently, whilst Lento looks sure to build on his impressive start to life at Romford, he looks an ideal Friday night dog for the venue.
Paul Hennessey has long established himself as one of the leading trainer on Irish soil and is to be respected wherever he turns up with a dog. Paul has nominated 2018 Irish Derby Finalist Jaytee Taylor as his dog to follow for 2019. Winning in each of the first 3 rounds of this years Irish Derby, he went on to qualify for the final and though finishing in last place he lost nothing in defeat. Taylor looks set to be a major player in any race for which he is entered.
Mark Keightley, husband of trainer Hayley, puts forward Roxholme Butt as his greyhound to follow and believes that he could be something special when stepped up in trip. A winner of 2 of his 5 career races to date, Butt has already reached the Northern Puppy Derby Final at Newcastle but has been noted doing all of his best running late.
Trainer Carl Perry and backer Nic Brereton have made no secret of their desire to win the competition sponsored by Nic himself, the Bresmed Northern Sprint. As such Carl and Nic have brought Geelo Carlos into the kennel. Unraced here in the UK, Carlos has a winning record in Ireland of 4 from 6 when known as Jumbos Blitz. His final run there being an excellent 1612 victory around Clonmel. The team have been patient in their search for a greyhound capable of winning their own competition. Carl has no hesitation when nominating Carlos as his dog to follow.
Jimmy Wright, assistant trainer to Angela Harrison, nominates Droopys Nadal as the dog to follow from their kennel. A recent finalist in the Laurels at Newcastle, he’s won 3 from 6 at that track so far and being just a January 2017 whelp he looks sure to improve in the coming months. He has a terrific burst of early pace and is sure to get stronger as the year progresses. Photo: © Steve Nash
