PATRICK JANSSENS landed his first Premier Greyhound Racing Trainers Judgement Night victory after a thrilling finale to the six-trainer shoot-out at Perry Barr last week.

Formerly the Trainers’ Championship meeting, first run at Newcastle in 1977 and featuring six of last year’s leading handlers, it was ante-post favourite Janssens who struck gold courtesy of the seven points picked by Hawkfield Ozark when second to Signet Goofy in the Standard, the concluding contest in the six-leg event.

At that point, four of the six trainers were still in with a chance of winning – Matt Dartnall played his joker for double points in the final race – and the competition went to the wire.

A slick exit from British-bred star Signet Goofy paved the way for success in 28.09sec (normal) in the Standard, claiming maximum points for John Mullins, but it was the race for second and third which proved crucial as Hawkfield Ozark chased home the winner, with Burnchurch Mick (Richard Rees) edging out Forest Icon (Kevin Hutton) for third.

It meant success for Patrick Janssens with a final total of 46 points ahead of Kevin Hutton (44), Mark Wallis (40), John Mullins (34), Matt Dartnall (27) and Richard Rees (12).

Third place for Forest Icon – just a short-head away from claiming that position – will have seen Hutton draw level at the top of the table to make it joint winners on the night, but fourth gave the title to Janssens who struck on the night with Slick Saratoga (28.30sec) in the Puppy event and Fabulous Azurra (28.33sec) in the Bitches.

The latter was Janssens’ joker on the night, as was Gougane Jet (15.97sec) in the Sprint for Mark Wallis and Sleek By Design (40.04sec) for Kevin Hutton in the Stayers – both impressive winners – while the Wallis team had earlier also struck with runaway winner Saffrons Dash (28.36sec) in the Maiden.

Ultimately, however, it was victory for Patrick Janssens and the Towcester trainer praised his team – especially when it came to deciding the six runners to represent the kennel.

“Firstly I’d like to thank Cheryl, Ria, Jamie, Kelly and Ron Mills for all their help and fair play to Cheryl, Ria and Jamie for persuading me to pick Hawkfield Ozark over Coolavanny Shado for the team. Shado is the faster dog but he’s not as consistent as Ozark and this is an event when you must pick up as many points as possible.

“Ozark is a more consistent dog and did us proud – as all the team have. Seeing Slick Saratoga and then Fabulous Azurra win for us was great – along with Slick Sakina, Azurra is the best bitch I’ve put a lead on and she’s done great given she’s just back from season. We didn’t have a lot of time with her, but she has so much class.

“This is a great event and fantastic for us to win for the first time. We’ve been fortunate to win most things in the sport, but this was a first for us which is great. Thank-you to Arc, Entain, Premier Greyhound Racing and to Perry Barr for their hospitality, organisation and track conditions which were absolutely spot-on.”

Perry Barr racing manager Martin Seal said: “What a fantastic finish to a brilliant meeting – and well done to Patrick (Janssens) and his team. It’s a team event and he needed Hawkfield Ozark to pick up points in the last leg – especially when it was still possible for four of the trainers to still win. That’s what you want to see!

“This was the fourth time Perry Barr has staged what was the Trainers’ Championship meeting – and we were delighted to stage Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night. It’s a great event which the trainers love, the owners love, and racegoers buy into.

“It’s unique in so many ways and the rivalry between the trainers makes for just a superb night all-round – and it’s great to see many of them returning for our next major competition which is the Arena Racing Company Laurels which starts on Saturday.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=395707&raceId=927772