24 Sep Greyhound racing: A recap of some of this year’s biggest winners
The 2021 greyhound racing season is approaching one of its most exciting stages of the year, with the RomfordPuppy Cup, the English St Leger, the Kent Derby, the English Oaks and the Steel City Cup — to name just a few — all taking place throughout the remainder of this month and over the course of October.
They are races that will attract a lot of interest in the betting markets, and punters will be desperately seeking the best greyhound tips from Betdaq as they look to land a winner in some of the United Kingdom’s most famed competitions. So, as a whole host of dogs look to land big victories for their owners and trainers, let’s take a look back at some greyhounds who have done just that already this season. Read on to find out more!
Punk Rock Mutley: Golden Jacket – Crayford
The Golden Jacket’s prize purse peaked at £12,500 for the winner earlier this year, and Punk Rock Mutleycaused an almighty upset at Crayford Stadium to scoop a mammoth victory for Hove-based trainer Stuart Maplesden. Bo Shine Bullet was the overwhelming favourite at 8/13, but her chances of winning were ended when she missed the break and was knocked over at the first bend. Instead, Punk Rock Mutley raced around the outside to win from 33/1, becoming the biggest ever outsider to win the prestigious Category 1 race.
Havana Class: The Laurels – Perry Barr Stadium
Like many major sporting events around the world, the Laurels was cancelled last year due to the global coronavirus pandemic. However, the original classic race returned this year, moving from Newcastle to take place at Perry Barr Stadium in Birmingham for the first time in its rich history, and 3/1 joint-favourite Havana Class won the 480-metre contest. The Liz McNair-trained dog broke out of trap 2 perfectly to take the lead, and he held the advantage all the way around the track, and despite Ivy Hill Skyhigh closing in on the home straight, he held on to narrowly beat his Mark Wallis-trained counterpart.
Meenagh Maverick: The Grand National – Central Park Stadium
In May, trainer Ricky Holloway won his fourth Grand National in just seven years. Toolmaker Daddy, another greyhound from Holloway’s Central Park kennels entered the traps as the 11/4 favourite, but it was Meenagh Maverick who prevailed from 3/1. Bursting outof the traps, the market leader opened up a substantial lead over the rest of the field. However, MeenaghMaverick stormed into the lead around the final bend, taking the last hurdle just ahead of his kennelmate before getting over the line by little more than a length. Patrick Janssens’ Seaglass Smokey was in third, whilst Holloway occupied fourth and fifth with NomanslandFlyer and Roxholme Biscuit. Bang On Sonia was last.
Aayamza Royale: TV Trophy – Monmore
Reigning Greyhound of the Year and defending TV Trophy champion, Aayamza Royale entered trap four as the unsurprising odds-on favourite, and she duly delivered a fourth victory in the race for Wallis — three of which were successive. Sitting behind the leader for the first lap at Monmore, Aayamza Royale took the lead at the halfway point, and streaked well clear of the chasing pack from there, setting a new track record as she won by some distance.
Thorn Falcon: Greyhound Derby – Towcester
Where better to finish than with the English Greyhound Derby? The biggest race in the entirety of the sport, Thorn Falcon gifted Janssens with his maiden victory in the £175,000 race. 22/1 shot Kilara Lion, another from the Dutch trainer’s kennels, was the fastest out of the traps, but by the second bend Thorn Falcon had gained the lead and he raced on to win by a matter of lengths clear of his kennelmate. Joint favourites Deerjet Sydney and Ballymac Fairone were well beaten in third and fourth.
