KARL BRAZIER is looking forward to Sunday’s final of the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Gold Collar – and not just because one of greyhound racing’s traditional Classics carries the name of the company he and his wife Jackie have run for the past 20 years.

“It’s a fantastic final, full of quality, and that’s what makes greyhound racing great,” said the leading owner, whose company is backing the £10,000-to-the-winner competition for the first time, having for many years sponsored the Kent St Leger at the track.

“There was a slight mix-up with the dates and Crayford offered us the chance to sponsor the Gold Collar and that just worked really well for us – and we’ve been treated with a great event, some excellent performances, and a high-class final.

“I’d love to present the trophy to my mate Tony Welch. His Savana Moo is overpriced in my opinion and could go well. Wrighty and Aayamza Sydney both want the rails, Slick Sabo is middle so should be okay, but Droopys Eunice definitely goes rails.

“For me, I think any crowding at the first bend sees the early paced pair of Allowdale Cazoo and Savana Moo go round – so Tony definitely has a chance!

“Having said all that, you just wonder how much ground the leaders need to get away from Aayamza Sydney. He’s a powerhouse of a dog and just finds a way through generally over this sort of trip – I think he will win for John Mullins given the make-up of the race.”

However, it will be Maxine Locke’s Droopys Eunice who goes to traps on Sunday as the fastest semi-final winner after reaching another major final with a strong-running success in the third semi-final of the 540m annual.

A hugely consistent sort for the Romford trainer, Oaks finalist Droopys Eunice was led up by Peter Bussey Memorial Trophy champion Allowdale Cazoo before coming though with a powerful run to win by three lengths in a slick 33.28sec (+30).

Earlier, John Mullins landed a one-two in the first semi-final as recent Birmingham Cup and Champion Stakes finalist Aayamza Sydney produced a rousing finish to collar kennelmate Wrighty on the line for a short-head triumph in 33.55sec (+30)

The locals cheered on Ricky Holloway’s Slick Sabo to make all in the second semi-final, making the most of the inside slot to dominate from pillar-to-post from Tony Welch’s Savana Moo, the former winning by two and three-quarter lengths in 33.74sec (-30).

Trap draw for Sunday’s finals of the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Gold Collar, Ladbrokes Grand National and Ladbrokes Kent Rose Bowl: https://crayfordgreyhounds.com/racing/advance/races