'WE OVERCAME' - CORDEN PLEASED WITH FINAL NIGHT/STEVE NASH PHOTO COLLECTION - Greyhound Star

Nottingham spokesman Nathan Corden was both relieved and pleased as he reviewed the strangest of all Derby Final nights.

Despite a local and national lockdown as a backdrop, and the smallest ever attendance for a Greyhound Derby Final meeting – 100 in the restaurant, plus around 75 track and kennel staff – the quality of racing was not compromised.

Corden said: “The biggest downer on the night was the unfortunate injury to Wolfe. I understand he has damaged a ligament behind a hock and given his age, I would imagine it would be his last race. Which is very sad. I believe Vixons Lad also sustained a cut after hitting the inside rail, but it could have been worse.

“I thought the quality of racing was on par with any Derby Final night, all the way through to the Dorando – always one of my favourite races of the year – which gave us such an exciting end to the meeting.

“I thought Paul Smith did a tremendous job on the running surface, not just on the night, but throughout the Derby despite some horrendous weather. I would also like to thank sponsor Ben Keith and Star Sports. But then Ben always goes the extra mile.

“In terms of thanks, I also have to thank the owners and trainers for their patience and support. Running a Derby during Covid has resulted in a string of extra restrictions and regulations, which they have risen too brilliantly.”

One subject that has occupied social media after the staging of the Derby final was the time taken for all six runners to be placed in the traps.

Corden said: “I was standing at the first bend and couldn’t really see what was going on. I was aware that Charlie Rees seemed to be hovering beside the traps for quite a while, having obviously placed his dog in the traps. I would need to see a replay, but truthfully, I really wasn’t aware that there was an issue from where I stood.”

In addition to the injuries to Wolfe and Vixons Lad, Steve Anderson confirmed that his popular open race star Bramble Reggie had damaged a tendon in the veterans final and had been retired. A tremendous servant to the kennel, Reggie contested four Category One finals.

Graham Holland also confirmed the end of Wolfe’s racing career on Sunday morning.

He said: “He is comfortable. The vet did a very good job of patching him up and he has been put on pain killers to make him more comfortable. Unfortunately, that is one of the downsides of greyhound racing.”

Greyhound Derby run up: DEERJET SYDNEY (t2 rails) leads approaching the first bend. His rivals (from L-R) are Coolavanny Chick (t6), Smurfs Machine (t5), Wolfe (t4), Ballydoyle Valor (t3) and Southwood Jet (t1). Photo: © Steve Nash

Stayers winner BLUE TICK GEORGE poses for the RPGTV camera Photo: © Steve Nash

COOLAVANNY BANI wins the Starsports Ladies Trophy Photo: © Steve Nash

Derby winner DEERJET SYDNEY (t2) is already clear of litter brother Smurfs Machine (t5) at the second bend.
Photo: © Steve Nash

LOGGIES LITO wins the sprint open Photo: © Steve Nash

AGINCOURT XENA (t3) leads early from Acomb Jenny (t5) on her way to winning the Westmead Legacy in Memory Of Natalie Savva Trophy Final. Photo: © Steve Nash