The 2022 greyhound racing season is well underway. In fact, at the time of writing, we have been treated to 18 thrilling Category One finals and all roads now lead to Towcester for the prestigious English Greyhound Derby — which will take place at the Northamptonshire track on June 25th.
With the Category One calendar pretty much cleared to make way for the Greyhound Derby’s intense schedule, which includes three rounds of heats, quarter-finals and semi-finals before the showpiece race itself at the end of next month, now seems like the perfect time to reflect on some of the big winners from April and May’s racing.
Springbok – Lenson Doolin
One of the least surprising results of the season, Lenson Doolin won the Springbok at Central Park back at the beginning of April. The odds-on favourite for the race, those who had a greyhound bet on the Ricky Holloway-trained dog were not left disappointed as the May 2019 dog was never headed in the novice hurdlers’ race — winning by three lengths of Runwild Teddy.
TV Trophy – Space Jet
Another short-priced favourite, Space Jet won the TV Trophy with ease to secure the whopping £15,000 prize purse for trainer Matt Dartnall.
Held at Brighton & Hove Stadium on April 9th, the 4/9 odds-on market leader broke away from the crowd at the third bend and finished strongly to win the lengthy 955m race by a comfortable three and three-quarters lengths clear of Blueberry Bullet.
Grand Prix – Coolavanny Aunty
After winning the first Category One of the season, the Essex Vase at Romford on January 28th, Coolavanny Aunty took her overall tally of victories in the top category to three with a win in the Grand Prix at Sunderland. The fantastic stayer was made to work for the victory though, with her kennel mate Coolavanny Bani setting the pace, but she took the lead on the home straight and won by half-a-length.
Laurels – Signet Denver
Signet Denver landed four-time champion trainer Kevin Hutton his second Category One title of the season in the Laurels at Perry Barr on April 28th.
The 11/4 shot burst well out of the traps but was beaten to the first bend by 14/1 chance Chelms Yes. He started to edge in front around the back though and went clear on the run for home — eventually winning by just short of two lengths.
Maiden Derby – Hellofakerfuffle
Hellofakerfuffle gifted Jamie Kingsley his first Category One success in the Maiden Derby at Towcester earlier this month. Wide Open was the red-hot favourite for the 500m race, but when he missed the break Hellofakerfuffle took advantage and he stayed on to win the £10k contest by two-and-a-quarter lengths clear of Savana Camino and Wide Open.
Kent St Leger – Rising Coco
A shock 50/1 winner of her semi-final, Rising Coco caused another upset in the main event — going on to win the £10,000 Kent St Leger, and doing so comfortably. The least fancied of the six finalists, albeit at a much shorter 10/1, the Jim Reynolds-trained dog breezed home almost three lengths clear of the 5/4 favourite Bellmore Sally.
