COONOUGH CROW will line up as one of two Mark Wallis-trained finalists in Friday’s  Arena Racing Company Grand Prix Final over 640m at Sunderland after posting the fastest time in last week’s heats.

 

A finalist in the Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket at Crayford in February, the October 2020 daughter of Eden The Kid and Coonough Dolly helped make the trip to the north-east worthwhile for Imperial Kennels with an all-the-way success in the second semi-final of the £12,500-to-the-winner GBGB Category One annual.

 

Pacing up well to lead on the dash to the bend, Coonough Crow was never headed thereafter and crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of the Tom Heilbron-trained pair of Queen Mother Cup winner Darbys Delight and Links Top Gun. The winning time was 39.15sec (+30) for the Wearside track’s 640m trip.

 

Winning trainer Wallis said: “We were delighted with how Crow ran – especially given she was the first greyhound we purchased for our new MWD Partnership. She definitely handled Sunderland better second time and it’s great to have two runners in the final, even though Aayamza Magic didn’t get the clearest of runs before qualifying.

 

“I wouldn’t say either are particularly well drawn in the final but it gives us a shot at a Cat One prize, which is what we want to be all about moving forward. It’s not often we travel to the north east, but absolutely will if the events are backed up by the right prize-money. Well done to Sunderland for upgrading the Grand Prix.”

 

The first semi-final saw local success landed by the Ted Soppitt-trained Skywalker Stan who came through strongly before halfway to race away for a two-and-a-quarter lengths success over Longacres Bullet (Pat Doocey) and Aayamza Magic (Mark Wallis) in a winning time of 39.56sec (+30).

 

Newcastle general manager Ian Walton, who is overseeing the action at sister track Sunderland, said: “Once again we had an excellent night’s racing for the semi-finals and look forward to another top-class evening for final night this week.

 

“The Arc Grand Prix Final looks a mouthwatering contest with two runners for Tom Heilbron and one for Ted Soppitt making up a strong home challenge. However, we’re also looking forward to welcoming Pat Doocey again, as well as Mark Wallis, who has two runners through to the final.

 

“Both have racked up the miles getting here and have been rewarded with places in the final. It’s all to play for and there is another opportunity to see Links Maverick on the supporting card. Tom Heilbron’s Arc Northern Puppy Derby won his heat of the 450m competition well and now lines up in another final here on Friday.”

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=396048&raceId=930235

 

Trap draw for Friday’s Arena Racing Company Grand Prix Final: https://www.sunderland-greyhounds.co.uk/whats-on/race-day/21-04-2023/evening