ANNADOWN WARRIOR helped extend Maxine Locke’s lead at the top of the Trainer of the Year standings with victory in the final of the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby at Central Park on Saturday.

Central Park handler Locke (1016), landing her second Kent Derby victory after Droopys Display’s success in 2024, burst through the 1,000 barrier courtesy of this latest Category One triumph and has a significant advantage over Paul Young (850) and Mark Wallis (809) – and Locke herself is thrilled to have notched another big-race success.

“It’s brilliant for Jo (Ramsay, assistant) and the team who are doing an amazing job,” said Locke. “Warrior is just a fantastic young dog and has shown himself to be top class with two Cat One wins on his record now and we’ll probably now aim him at Nottingham again.

“He won the Puppy Classic there and broke the track record so the (PGR) Eclipse seems the right option.”

Of the final itself, Locke added: “He took his chance well when things opened up. You knew in such a top-class final, probably the best we’ve seen this year bar the Towcester Derby final maybe, he’d have to do things right – that meant just missing the break slightly! That’s probably helped him when they crowded at the turn.

“I’m delighted for Jack (Russell) and the whole JR Racing Syndicate. The likes of Jack, Dean (Goldfinch) and Adam (Williams), plus dad of course, are great supporters of what we do at Bonville Kennels and thank you to them for their continued support.”

Annadown Warrior had been led from the boxes by both Proper Heiress (Mark Wallis), the GBGB Greyhound of the Year and track record holder, and Scooby The Lady (Richard Rees), who previously held the record. However, when that pair came together at the turn, Locke’s runner was best placed to hit the front off the second bend.

Always in charge thereafter, the September 2024 son of Grangeview Ten and Annadown Cutie, a member of a hugely talented and big-race winning litter, kept up the pace to cross the line in front of Scooby Mustang (Carol Weatherall), the latter running on really well to get within half a length of the 28.85sec (normal) winner.

Third home was Proper Heiress, just ahead of the unlucky ARC Select Stakes champion Underground Gold (Paul Young), but the £20,000 prize was Annadown Warrior’s.

 

Photos: © Steve Nash