THE best newcomer category is the most complicated of the awards as any greyhound is eligible providing it had not raced in Britain or Ireland prior to January 1 2014.
In reality, we tend to be talking ‘top pups’ and there are many to choose from. The aforementioned Newinn Yolo, who won puppy and all-aged events is probably favourite. Kennelmate Swift Hoffman is another live contender having won a puppy event at Monmore in June, finishing third in the Gymcrack and fourth in the Puppy Classic. Millwards Teddy, another strong contender for another category, also qualifies as a ‘newcomer’ Rayvin Giovanni and Eden Star are former Romford Puppy Cup winners who went on to win this class, an encouragement surely to connections of the 2014 winner Laughing Gravy. The Wimbledon Puppy Derby is automatically a ‘possible’ – and in the case of the impressive Lenson Sanchez, surely a serious contender. Billys Bullet won the Coral Puppy Trophy before embarking on a stayer’s career. Northern stakes winner Calzaghe George (Puppy Plate) Kneejerk Reaction (Northern Puppy Derby) and Mill Jolson (Gymcrack) are also worthy of mention.
The three GWA final nominations are:
LAUGHING GRAVY, MILLWARDS TEDDY, NEWINN YOLO
Previous winners
2013 Jaytee Lightning
2012 Ballymac Eske
2011 Eden Star
2010 Rayvin Giovanni
2009 Eyeonthe Storm
2008 Boherna Best
2007 Farloe Reason
2006 Clash Harmonica
2005 Fear Me
2004 Ballymac Niloc
2003 Droopys Shearer
