Defending Ladbrokes Golden Jacket champion Stardom landed a trialstake on Saturday night but still looks some way short of her optimum form.
Heather Dimmock’s fawn clocked 46.09 (-30) for the Crayford 714 metre course which was slower – before going allowances – than the nights other winner over the same course, Burgess Villa with a 45.99 (N). Even with going considered, Stardom’s time 11 lengths short of her 44.52 (+40) track record.
Meanwhile, the 2018 Marathon Greyhound of the Year Slippy Maggie, who hasn’t raced since breaking her hock at Nottingham in June, completed her second comeback trial – a 33.94 (N) run over the 540 metre course.
It was a decent run considering Newinn Cracker landed the fastest 540 opens in 33.89, and when fully fit, the 2018 Boxing Day Marathon winner would be more ideally suited to an extra lap.
Hazel Kemp, mother of trainer Michelle Brown said: “Michelle has been working on her for the last six weeks on swimming and therapy treatments. Maggie came off fine and fingers crossed will be entered in the Golden Jacket if she comes off sound after her next trial.
“If she doesn’t, it is off to the breeding paddocks so there is really nothing to lose.”
The 2020 Ladbrokes Golden Jacket gets underway on Saturday February 8 and concludes with a £17,500-to-winner decider two weeks later.
Current betting: 8-1 Redzer Ardfert, Skilful Sandie, Sparta Master, 12-1 Antigua Fire, Jet Stream View, Stardom, 14-1 Droopys Live, 16-1 Goldies Hotspur, Micks Little Gem, Roxholme Poppy, 20-1 Beechgrove Bell, 25-1 Affleck Bolt, Affleck Lady, Desperado Dan, Jet Stream Moment, Roxholme Butt, Savana Winner, Sheldan, 33-1 Avastorm, Ridgedale Max, Sonic Spur 40-1 bar
