SALACRES PIPPY is the RPGTV/GWA Greyhound of the Month for November after back-to-back GBGB Category One victories during the month.

Owned and trained by Peter Harnden, the September 2018 daughter of Definate Opinion and Pippy landed both the Stadium Bookmakers Hunt Cup and Ladbrokes Cesarewitch titles in the space of two weeks.

Those twin strikes at Towcester and Crayford respectively were Harnden’s first Category One successes and delighted the now Towcester-based handler.

Reporting that Salacres Pippy will not run again this year, he added that retirement is very much an option should she break in season with Droopys Sydney a potential suitor.

“I’ve not made my mind up yet, so we’ll see,” he said. “What I’d love to do is take her to Australia for one of the big races there, but I’m not sure whether that’s feasible anyway – let alone given the restrictions in place now and in the future.

“However, what I can say is that the Australian authorities have been very supportive in what I’m thinking of doing. I’ve been talking to them and trying to get Pippy out there will be my sole aim across the next month.

“She might come back to race in the UK, but I’m definitely looking forward to breeding from her in the not-too-distant-future. Pippy has reignited my love for this game – both with her efforts on the track and my own move to Towcester.

“Well done to Kevin (Boothby, Towcester promoter) for putting these races on in the first place and that first win in the Hunt Cup will always be a massive high point for me. I was so nervous beforehand – even after 24 years as a trainer.

“And I suppose it was because I’d waited so long that things almost got on top of me during the race – and the celebrations afterwards. It was great.

“Come the Crayford final I was actually quite confident. I’d thought she’d break in front and, given she was back-running some strong sorts over 712m at Towcester, I was always pretty sure she’d handle 874m at Crayford – and she did.

“She runs the track so well, so maybe the Golden Jacket is an option in the new year, but we’ll see. Remember she clocked the fastest time in the Jacket heats at Crayford earlier this year and was unlucky not to make the final.

Peter Harnden is the GBGB’s trainer representative and Clive Lawrence, RPGTV’s executive producer, said: “Following Salacres Pippy across the two competitions was great for our viewers, who seemed to fall in love with her – as Peter already is!

“And watching and hearing Peter enjoy those big-race wins was also great. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is a fantastic interviewee – and whether he’s talking Pippy or greyhound politics he’s always passionate about the sport which we love.”

In taking the monthly honour backed by RPGTV, Salacres Pippy edged out Arc Classic winner Narcos The Great (George Cunningham), Gain Sovereign Stakes champ Shrewd Call (David Mullins) and Ladbrokes Gold Collar hero Warzone Tom (Liz McNair).