5,248 visitors enjoyed the second Star Sports Greyhound Derby Final at Towcester on Saturday writes Floyd Amphlett.
Managing Director Kevin Ackerman said: “We were delighted with the turn-out and a great evening’s racing. We said we would learn from last year and I think the improvements were there to be seen. There were more staff, more bars and more toilets, though the real difference was where they were all placed.
“Last year there were big queues for some facilities and nobody standing at others. So we brought things closer and kept them within eyeshot. We are still assessing tote and viewing figures, including internet numbers, but our turnover on Towcester Bet was up significantly and given the results, I can’t believe that the bookies didn’t have a spectacular night..”
For the first time, the track also sent out complimentary tickets to the remaining 21 races offices. Six responded.
Ackerman added: “We full understand that it is the busiest night of the week, but thought it was important to make the gesture.”
The Daily Mail once again played a blinder with another excellent offering for Monday’s audience.
++ You don’t have to win to be a winner! One of the connections of Derby Dorotas Vic collected an estimated £40K when his dog ran third in the final. It was a spectacular performance from the 20-1 shot who produced a Lister-style run at the business end of the competition. After clocking sectionals of between 5.29 and 5.38, Vic was only a neck behind his brother in the final split with a spectacular 5.18 as he found almost four lengths on his best previous run.
Vic had been serially backed to reach the decider at huge odds on the basis of the dog’s quality and the record of his handler. HE was positively indignant when his dog was made a 2-1 chance ‘to collect the wooden spoon’ in that morning’s Racing Post. A vindicated Charles Lister OBE has since suggested said spoon might be used to dish up some humble pie. (Well that isn’t EXACTLY how he put it. . . .)
DOROTAS WILDCAT leads home Droopys Verve (t4) in the Star Sports Derby Final. Photo: © Steve Nash
Julie Collier gets the first reaction from Donna Witchalls as she walks the Derby champ Dorotas Wildcat off the track. Photo: © Steve Nash
Donna Witchalls is hugged by joint owner David Usher on the way to the podium with Derby champ Dorotas Wildcat.
Plate winner Crossfield Giles gets a welcome drink. Photo: © Steve Nash
Derby Plate start: King Kid (t6) follows the hare as winner Crossfield Giles breaks from trap 5. Also pictured Droopys Expert (t4), Sporting Dave (t3), Black Farren (t2) and Deanridge Boffin (t1). Photo: © Steve Nash
Park the bus: Greyhound Trust volunteers and retired hounds working hard to raise awareness and funds at Towcester where a routemaster bus again provided one of the many refreshment outlets for the Derby Final crowd. Photo: © Steve Nash
This elevated camera at the first bend was one of many new ideas added to the show on Derby Final night. Photo: © Steve Nash
The “Mark Wallis Racing Club” syndicate (foreground) enjoyed their Derby outside in the sun and backed three winners from the kennel.
Photo: © Steve Nash
Lycra racing jackets were given a trial in the Derby Intertrack. Modelled on parade by winner Ashakiran (left) and Miss Boley. Photo: © Steve Nash
There were cameras everywhere for the Derby Final – including these drone operators (part of Steve Katz’s local crew) who set up base on the far side of the track. Photo: © Steve Nash
Dorando Marathon winner MAYSDREAMCATCHER (t4) leads early pursued by Slick Strauss (t2) and Sporting Victor (t5). Photo: © Steve Nash
The Westmead Hawk Pavilion, complete with novel horseracing fence material dividing areas (see foreground), provided a viewing area near the traps for the Derby. Photo: © Steve Nash
AFFANE PARTY (t1) makes the most of his inside draw to win the Derby Sprint. Photo: © Steve Nash
Retired bitch Judy spent most of her Derby Final night being pushed around on a trolley (converted wheelchair with a comfy bed) helping to raise funds and awareness for the Greyhound Trust. Photo: © Steve Nash
NINJA PENNY Bitches winner Photo: © Steve Nash
RIDGEDALE MAX (t3) winning the Derby Stayers.Photo: © Steve Nash
Sponsor Ben Keith with Star Sports Derby winner Dorotas Wildcat. Photo: © Steve Nash
