The Westmead Hawk Memorial graded sweepstake, sponsored by Bob Morton, closes for entries on Wednesday. It carries a £5,000 first prize with the runner-up collecting £1,500, the third getting £800 and the rest of the field picking up £250 each.
Racing manager Paul Mellor said: “We have ten in the book so far, all 27.80 dogs or faster. We will run it as either a 24 or 36 runner event depending on other entries. To take part, the runner must have had at least two graded races here at some stage in their career, and obviously be currently qualified to run, even if that is through open race form.
“The trap draw will be made on Thursday, and to avoid disputes I will probably send it to another racing office to make the draw. The competition itself is run over three consecutive Sundays, starting this coming Sunday.”
Mellor tips Blackstone Zebo (Sparta Maestro-Augane Tip, Feb 14) as one to follow in the coming weeks. The puppy won in 28.35 (A5) on Sunday, but the time doesn’t begin to tell the story.
Mellor said: “When he learns how to run, he will be some greyhound. He was hampered on at least three occasions and nearly ran off the track at one stage, but his raw pace was brilliant.”
Cantillon now has 30 on the Henlow strength after switching back to the Bedfordshire track from Towcester.
Mellor said: “I’ve had a few moans from other trainers about the Blackrose’s winning, but it is inevitable. Eric normally has decent class runners who look as though they’ve just left the rearing fields when they first qualify. They are obviously open to improvement and several are likely to make their way through the card.
“What is interesting is that Zebo is one of only three 2014 pups on the card. One of the others is his litter brother. You would expect to see a lot more by this stage of the year.”
