The remarkable Roxholme Nidge put himself forward as a Greyhound of the Year contender with a hard won victory in the RPGTV East Anglian Derby Final.
The brindle failed to come away in his usual style – his 5.36 sectional was 10 spots down on his semi final – and he faced serious opposition in Tree Top Danny going to the first bend.
Unlike his previous victories, Nidge looked under threat along the backstraight, from both Danny and latterly Phil Simmonds’ Dower Product.
Coming into the last bend, his advantage was only just over a length, but the dog who has won over 500 metres dug deep and saw off the challenge eventually coming home two and a half lengths clear in 27.89 on a .10 slow track that would not have helped his cause.
It was a second Category One win of the year, following the Steel City Cup, and a fourth overall in an incredible career of just 26 races – 19 wins.
Mark Keightley said: “He will maybe just have just one more competition this year the northern flat at Belle Vue. I had always wanted to come here with him he’s conquered here shall we say and I have always wanted to see him run at Belle Vue I would love him to give the clock a shaking.”
Click on result to watch video
73rd East Anglian Derby winner ROXHOLME NIDGE (t3) disputes the early lead with Tree Top Danny (t6) before going on to land the £15,000 Category One. Dower Product (t4) stayed on to earn £3000 as runner up. Photo: © Steve Nash
