FRONT ALICE provided owner and trainer Kevin Proctor with his biggest success when lifting the Coral Golden Sprint Final at Romford – to complete a fantastic story for the Essex-based handler.

Sent off a 14-1 chance to land the £10,000 prize at the London Road venue, the September 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Alice was quickly into stride and led at the first bend, taking full advantage of favourite Druids Say Go being crowded of contention after a moderate exit compared to her starts in both heats and semi-final.

Leading round the first two turns from Kila Detail (Richard Rees), Front Alice never looked likely to give up the advantage and kept her rivals at bay to score by three-quarters of a length from the Hove tracker in 23.86sec (normal) for the 400m trip.

A delighted Proctor, with time to reflect on the achievement, said: “I felt confident going into the final, thinking we’d not seen the best of Alice. She’d pinged the lids in her first race at Romford in January, but because it was hand-timed we didn’t get a split time, even though the overall time was pretty good.

“I’m pretty convinced that was a very good split, but we’d not seen that since and she’d slightly lost that zip at the traps. She’s so keen to get going but is thankfully calm enough to hold it all together in the kennels, so I knew a fast start was around the corner – and thankfully it came in the final.

“I’d had her checked over by physio Kevin Lewis after the semis. She was given the all-clear and got everything right on a night that mattered. Her trapping, pace and bravery at the bend was there for all to see and to beat some other highly respected finalists – the whole competition was packed-full of greyhound talent – is just brilliant.

“Alice has a quirk in that she sometimes stops walking when she doesn’t want to. Putting her back in her kennel she can slam the brakes on outside and just stand there. We don’t drag her in but let her stand there and throw a tasty biscuit on her bed and, when she’s ready, she goes in and we close the door!

“The kennel staff at Romford find it very funny and give her a little nudge from behind to get her walking in for weigh-in and vet inspection. She just wants to get racing!

“You hear other handlers say their good dogs do everything right and Alice is no different. She’s a dream to own and train.

“My uncle Jimmy Organ, who is now in his late 80s, had greyhounds back in the day and  my father-in-law Bill Rann’s dad was a greyhound trainer at Rye House. I’ve had lots to talk about on the phone to them at times, but it was very special to have them witness Front Alice’s victory at Romford. They were bouncing – we all were!

“We have four retired greyhounds here – Front Edge, Front Society, Front Cover and Front Move, who could be part of our next British-bred litter. We have seven young June 22 pups starting out at Harlow by Droopys Sydney and Front Society. We also have Front Mali, who was third in last year’s Oxfordshire Gold Cup behind Swift Iconic and Burnchurch Mick.

“Another of ours, Front Edition, raced in Ireland with Martin Lanney and was leased to David Campbell in Scotland. She had four British-bred pups by Pestana who are now 13 months old – they’re with David Pruhs being schooled. We’ve got a dog pup coming.

“Our numbers will also increase soon with seven pups at 16 months old by Ice On Fire out of Front Amani – she was a 27.94sec Irish Oaks finalist. Amani has a second litter of three six-month pups by Ballymac Cashout in Ireland. We brought Front Amani over for a crack at the 2021 English Oaks where she posted 28.08sec (+10) in a qualifying trial.

“She was beaten in the first round by half a length by the eventual winner Billys Diva, which was a credible effort. Unfortunately, she wasn’t so fortunate in the second round and was retired to the breeding paddocks.

“Front Pasha, who clocked 28.31sec at Shelbourne Park, was an English Oaks semi-finalist for us and has a litter of five to Ballymac Bolger in Ireland and has just been mated to King Sheeran who coincidentally dead-heated with Front Edge in the third round of the English Derby at Nottingham. Front Edge ran well for us in that Derby.

“The many calls and messages after Romford were overwhelming. I also have to mention the sporting hugs and comments at the pick-up after the race – hats off to the handlers of the other five finalists, that was really kind. Then the beaming smiles and handshakes in the kennel at wash down and in the stands afterwards – from people we know and many we don’t – was really heartwarming. This game is not dead at all.

“I had a ten-year plan to find the best-bred bitches I could afford. To race them in open or competition class, retire them, breed from them, race the pups – and win a Category One!

“The important ‘Front’ team consists of my partner of 12 years and kennelhand Justine Maynard. I wouldn’t be able to do the dogs without her input. She was brought up around horses and is our ready-made nurse on site – she’s brilliant at dog and horse repairs! We only need a vet in worst cases. Justine loves the dogs and is totally hands-on.

“Justine’s daughter Hollie also helps out with the dogs. Hollie has taken a very keen interest in one pup in particular Front Baloo. He’s a big, gangly 35-kilo baby, who’s known as Mouse. He’s been given more time to fill out and grow into his big frame.

“He’s had some sprints and couple of four bends at Harlow but needs longer straights to really stretch out – I’m hoping Towcester or Hove can accommodate us soon.

“Hollie is keen, is an 18-year-old studying at an animal university, and is maybe another generation to carry on with the dogs.

“Justine, Hollie and myself have a strong bond after helping the pups into the world. It was an amazing experience – five of the litter of nine had to be coaxed into taking the first breath which took up to ten minutes for some. Gently shaking and rubbing them, or using a thin piece of straw up the nose, brought them into life – it was a first for us all!”

Proctor was keen to pay tribute to those who have provided inspiration over the years for the success he has enjoyed – including in the Coral Golden Sprint Final.

“It’s been a wonderful journey and I’d like to thank Kevin Boon. His is a small kennel that’s had some big results and he called to congratulate me the day after Romford – then before ringing off reminded me I’ve got to win another eight Cat Ones to get up to him! Superb.

“Maurice Newman was also great. He got hold of me at Harlow after seeing Front Edge do 26.15sec in a qualifying trial and said “he’s a fast dog, son, what are you doing with him?” I told him the Monmore Puppy Derby then the English Derby. “He’s too young to run in the English Derby this year,” he said. “We’ll see,” I said. We formed an instant bond and he always encouraged me to do it the Kevin Proctor way.

“Often my mobile would be vibrating and ringing in my pocket at the pick-up of a race. “Just to say well done, son”, then he rang off. We named one of the pups Momo after him.  He’s got his own way of thinking. Maurice championed the small man, the underdog. It’s why I liked him so much. Some days he’d call six, seven, eight, nine times a day. I miss the man that was Maurice.

“I must also mention Harlow. The owner, racing manager and staff have been so helpful, even though I’ve not had many graded runners since becoming a trainer. However I’ve always supported the Wednesday opens and the track has accommodated me with trials and mark-ups etc. A massive thanks to them.

“All the above was borne out of the GBGB’s private trainer’s licence which allowed you to have two greyhounds at home. It was the perfect start which developed into the professional trainer’s licence I hold today.”