WE continue the countdown to greyhound racing’s night of the year – the GBGB Greyhound of the Year Awards at the Royal Lancaster London, on Sunday, January 26 – by looking at those stars of the track who have made the list of nominations for the various award categories.

We concentrate now on the ACS & Datastore Newcomer of the Year 2019 nominations – Bockos Doomie, Droopys Reel and Ice On Fire – and talk to the trainers of each of the runners about how the year panned out for their charges, and their chances of taking the award.

Last year’s Newcomer of the Year was Rising Brandy, trained by Matt Dartnall for Alex Antoniou and Paul Bennett.

BOCKOS DOOMIE

bkw d Droopys Jet – Dalcash Kalade, Sept 2017

Trainer: Patrick Janssens, Central Park

Owners: Bev Lochead & Austin Whelan

Claims to fame: Ran unbeaten through the Henlow Puppy Derby, having shown himself to be a precocious talent by making the third round of the Derby. Won the Sussex Festival Puppies at Hove and later ran-up in the Ladbrokes Kent Derby at Central Park.

Trainer says: “He won 13 races in the year including two competitions at Hove and one at Henlow – and that showed us what an exciting talent he is. He’d have gone close in the Olympic, too. He was favourite to win that but just injured himself in winning his heat.

It’s not that serious, but means he’ll get a decent rest before we think about bringing him back. The Derby is an obvious target, although I’m still not sure Nottingham is his track. Hopefully being more mature this year will help him there. He’s certainly one of the fastest and most exciting dogs I’ve put a lead on.”

DROOPYS REEL

bk b Azza Azza Azza – Droopys Dorothy, Oct 2017

Trainer: Angela Harrison, Newcastle

Owners: Ken Campbell, Paul Maragh, Don Thompson & Billy Thompson

Claims to fame: Won 12 of her 14 starts in 2019, including victory in the BAPP Group of Companies Scurry Cup at Belle Vue. Also landed wins at Sunderland, Newcastle and Nottingham where she was due to start favourite for the end-of-season National Sprint.

Trainer says: “We were unlucky not to make Nottingham when they closed the motorway and were unable to get there, but it’s great to see her dominated in this category and the Sprinter of the Year. It shows what an impression Droopys Reel made in a short space of time. She definitely right up there and her times at Nottingham proved that – and her wins helped the kennel have another good year to be fourth in the standings. We actually thought her career might be over when she injured herself at Romford being prepared for the Romford Puppy Cup but we got her back. She has electric pace and is a terrific bitch.”

ICE ON FIRE

bk d Coach – Bigmans Grainne, October 2017

Trainer: Jimmy Fenwick, Newcastle

Owner: Dave Spraggon

Claims to fame: Won 16 of his 19 starts including victories in the Bookmakers Puppy Classic at Nottingham, plus the all-aged Alconex All England Cup and O’Tooles Gym Byker Laurels at home track Newcastle, plus the Carling Eclipse at Nottingham.

Trainer says: “We really couldn’t have asked much more of him. He won his first five races for myself and Dave (Spraggon, owner) and then had an unfavourable trap six draw at Nottingham on Derby Final Night. He got some better draws during the Puppy Classic and just kept on coming forward. Dave’s waited for 40 years for a dog like Ice On Fire and I’m just delighted he asked me to train him. To win two major comps at our home track Newcastle was really special for all of us. We’re enjoying the ride and, naturally, given his form at Nottingham the (Star Sports, Arc and LPS) Derby is the number one target.”

The winners will be presented with their awards at the GBGB Awards at the Royal Lancaster London, on Sunday, January 26.

*For further details and ticket information contact the GBGB on 020 7822 0902 or email awards@gbgb.org.uk.