CALZAGHE FLASH remains unbeaten as a sprinter after completing an unblemished run through the Local Parking Security National Sprint Final at Nottingham on Monday.

On a night when the Jean Liles-trained Trapstyle Jet, the 2016 winner and 2017 runner-up, made a third appearance in the Category Two decider before retirement was announced, it was a greyhound still in the early stages of his career who took gold.

Trained by Ted Soppitt for Carl Roberts, Calzaghe Flash lined up for the £3,000 final as hot favourite on the back of fluent wins in heat and semi-final, having arrived at Colwick Park after finishing second to Grays Cup Winner in the Romford Puppy Cup.

“Look, he ran great at Romford from a tough draw, but he’s run five sprints now and won them all,” said Soppitt, who feels his runner deserves to be recognised when the nominations are announced for the Sprinter of the Year category at the GBGB Awards.

“He deserves a mention, but we’ll leave that to others,” he said. “I’m just delighted for Carl (Roberts) who has been my leading owner for 20 years ago and has been a rock-solid supporter of the kennel and a friend to myself and my wife Sue.

“It’s nice to win a good competition with this dog, and hopefully he can progress next year. We’ll have a think about what to do next, but he’ll have a rest now. He’s still only a baby, but he’s as quick when his paws touch the sand as anything I’ve had.

“Greyhound racing comes in cycles I’ve learned,” he added. “Droopys Shearer was top class, then we had Teds Jo and Bubbly Totti straight after. You just think these dogs come along, but they don’t, although Calzaghe Davy was another good one for Carl and myself.

“There’s a long way to go to match those dogs, but I couldn’t be happier with this dog. He’s from a great litter and it was good to see his litter brother (Argentina) win the Puppy Derby at Henlow on Sunday. We didn’t let the side down tonight!”

Following a level break, it was the better early speed of Calzaghe Flash which soon saw the January 2017 son of Tyrur Big Mike and Headford Maura in charge, an advantage he maintained to the line to beat Carol Grasso’s Gentle Storm in 17.55sec (+10).

The latter was one of two Grasso-trained runners in the field, with kennelmate Stringer in fourth, just behind the Scurry Gold Cup champion Troy Bella (David Mullins) in third place. Winning-most open racer Chopchop Hope was fifth and now-retired Trapstyle Jet sixth.

Richard Evans, whose company Local Parking Security sponsored the big race, was delighted with the quality of the final and reported that it was winning trainer Soppitt who sold him his first successful greyhound, Pinhead.

Evans said: “Pinhead won the Carling Produce Stakes here at Nottingham, which was myself and Donna’s (Evans, wife) first big open-race winner, so Nottingham always holds great memories, even before Donation won the Lowther Stakes this year.

“Therefore, not only was it an easy decision to back the National Sprint but we were delighted to become involved in the Derby,” he added, following the news that Local Security Parking, Star Sports and Arc will jointly sponsor next year’s Classic.

“From the moment we met Rachel (Corden, Nottingham director) and her staff we were taken back by the professionalism and enthusiasm. We were privileged to be asked to be involved with the Derby and look forward to working closer with Nottingham.”

Incidentally, Evans reports Donation, who he owns as a member of the Jabber Crew with Heather Dimmock, to be none the worse for a fall in the Oaks at Swindon on Saturday. She will now be rested before returning in the new year.