DAZL ROLEX has a possible date at Towcester for the Star Sports English Greyhound Derby after timing it right to land Ricky Holloway his biggest success as a trainer on the flat with a rare locally trained triumph in the Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket at Crayford – on the 50th running of the 714m Category One annual.

Not since Patsy Cusack’s Walk The Line crossed the line in front in 2007 has a Crayford-trained finalist landed the spoils but a powerful effort from the Dolores Ruth-bred

November 2021 son of Superior Panama and Razldazl Mya saw him catch Havana Top Note close home for a length victory in 45.03sec (+30).

The Liz McNair-trained Challenge Cup winner had set a searing gallop in the £20,000 decider but Dazl Rolex, who lined up as the youngest finalists for owners Tony Brealey, former Central Park promoter Roger Cearns and Dolores Ruth herself, was always handy before outstaying his rival – capping a brilliant day for Holloway.

In addition to winning the main event, the Essex-based handler, who has rewritten the record books given his success with hurdlers, had four other successes at the meeting for a superb five-timer – including success in the £1,000 David Wicks Memorial Trophy with Similar Display for owners Dave Cunningham and Kurn Rushen.

Holloway, who has intimated a crack at the Derby might be on cards for Dazl Rolex after a bid for the Bet365 Hunt Cup at Oxford, beginning next month, and a return to Crayford for the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger, thanked management at the Kent track for staging a brilliant card full of variety and said they should be congratulated.

“The Golden Jacket is one of the best meetings of the year and the competition is always of the highest quality and winning the 50th running was my best moment in greyhound racing,” he said. “Also, winning it with a local dog – and the youngest finalist, albeit with the oldest trainer! – was definitely extra special, too.

“The racing office at Crayford are the best in the business and are excellent at putting on an event – just look at what they did on Saturday with hurdles races over four and six bends, three marathons including a 1,048m race, and lots of competition finals.

“So to win five races on the day – and two finals – really was amazing and I’ve got to thank the staff who put so much into working with the greyhounds. At the kennels we have a wonderful team led by Jamie Mavrias and they deserve to take a great deal of the credit.

“I really wasn’t too well a couple of weeks back, just as the Golden Jacket started, but Jamie held the fort and Saturday was the tonic I needed!”

Holloway explained how he took a call from Dolores Ruth telling him she was sending him the Golden Jacket winner!

“That’s exactly what she said,” he explained. “Next week the dog arrived and l gave him one trial and l knew she was right. He’s still young so there is a lot of improvement to come and he’s very lightly raced. All things been well it’ll be Oxford and then back to Crayford – and then maybe Towcester, we’ll see.

“I can’t remember a day like it with five winners out of the 12 races and every dog from the kennel running to their best level. A big thanks to all the owners in the kennel because without them we don’t exist and don’t have days we dream of.

“I’d also like to say a big thank-you to the other finalists who were so sporting when l won with their congratulations. It was much appreciated.”