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 SIS Marathon Performer of the Year 2019 nominations – Bumblebee Bullet, Micks Little Gem and Stardom – 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 SIS Marathon Performer of the Year was Slippy Maggie, trained by Hazel Kemp for Craig Chesson, David Redmile and Hazel herself.

BUMBLEBEE BULLET

wbk b Romeo Recruit – Dundrum Pearl, Sep 2017

Trainer: Mark Wallis, Henlow

Owners: The Bruiser Boyz

Claims to fame: Winner of the Coral TV Trophy Final at Romford, Bumblebee Bullet led home a one-two for her trainer given kennelmate Aayamza Breeze finished second. She ended the year winning over 915m on St Leger Final night at Perry Barr.

Trainer says: “She was a young marathon bitch in the TV Trophy. It was her first true test over the trip and she passed with flying colours – and won us a second Cat One at Romford in a week after Aayamza Express won the Champion Stakes! Getting a one-two in the TV Trophy was also fantastic for the kennel and, while Aayamza Breeze is now retired, Bumblebee Bullet will be back after season and a defence of her TV Trophy will certainly be a target. However she’ll first be aimed at the Coral Regency at Hove.”

MICKS LITTLE GEM

fw b Superior Product – Mays Maska, July 2017

Trainer: Michelle Brown, Henlow

Owners: Malcolm Dickerson, Peter Fairs, Hazel Kemp & Colin Mackay

Claims to fame: Won the Star Sports Dorando Marathon at Nottingham on Derby Final night when still a pup, before later landing back-to-back successes for the kennel when winning the Ladbrokes Boxing Day Marathon (874m) at Crayford.

Trainer says: “She was great at Nottingham for such as a young bitch who’d just stepped up in trip – and then just brilliant at Crayford. She won by 14 lengths that day, and it was great to win that competition after Slippy Maggie won for mum (Hazel Kemp) the previous year. We hope she can have another good year and will start off in the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket even though 714m is on the short side. The TV Trophy is an obvious target but Crayford have bonuses around their major events, so we’re also looking at those.”

STARDOM

f b Ballymac Eske – Old Refrain, August 2016

Trainer: Heather Dimmock, Henlow

Owners: The Jabber Crew

Claims to fame: Won the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket at the start of the year in her first UK campaign and later set a track record for the 714m trip. Also winner of the Queen Mother Cup at Sheffield.

Trainer says: “She made a real splash quickly, winning her first four races with us, including in the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket. She raced in the highest class and made her mark in most of the competitions she was in. The plan will once again be the Golden Jacket and Crayford’s ‘Grand Slam’ might a target after that! She helped us have a cracking year on the open-race scene and has proved a great buy for her owners, who loved watching her throughout the year.”

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.