WOODCOCKS AKIA became the first greyhound to retain the Category Two title when landing Nick Deas a hugely popular local success in the final of the Peter Bussey Memorial Trophy Final at Crayford on Saturday.

The £5,000-to-the-winner decider was chief support to the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket Final and was a five-runner affair following the early morning withdrawal of impressive semi-final winner Nipsey Hustle (off colour).

Breaking smartly, Woodcocks Akia soon showed in front, although Brutus Bullet (Belinda Green) closed on the leader approaching the third bend before challenging for the lead down the back-straight second time, looking to pass outside at the fifth bend.

However, Woodcocks Akia, a 20-1 winner of the event 12 months ago, was resolute in front and kept the runner-up at bay to win by a length, with Sweet Pear (Mark Wallis) keeping on well to finish third. The winning time was 33.87sec (+20).

Trained by Crayford handler Deas for Carl Woodcock, the winner is a February 2018 daughter of Ballymac Best and Ballymac Kia and is the pride and joy of the handler and his team at their Uxbridge kennels.

Nick Deas said of the now senior runner, who had risen up the graded ranks from A4 and S4 to winning major titles: “She’s just amazing – and fantastic that she’s retained the title. She’s been a cracking bitch for Carl and Davina (Woodcock). Carl has supported us since I started out in 2016 at Henlow.

“He kept the faith when we moved to Central Park and then on to Crayford. We are still buzzing with the fact that she’s won two Peter Busseys – the second one having turned four last week make’s it even better!

“I’d just also like to thank all the staff – my assistant Amy, Alex, Lisa – and Leslie for her support plus to Tom Peppercorn for looking after the bitch. I’d also like to thank Peter (Broadbridge, Crayford GM), Danny (Rayment, Crayford RM) and Graham (Banks, Crayford deputy RM) and all the racing office staff for their help.

“I’m really pleased to retain the trophy for Crayford again this year. I loved the colour of the presentation jacket, too, being a Chelsea fan – it was a good week on the football front, too!”

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=382238&raceId=816078