QUEEN JONI is the Time Greyhound Nutrition Greyhound of the Month for April after her stunning unbeaten run through the Coral Brighton Belle at Hove.

The Liz McNair-trained and KSS Syndicate-owned runner polled the most votes among members of the Greyhound Writers’ Association which saw her edge out fellow big-race winners Farneys Willie (Grand Prix, Richard Wales), Kilwest Ranger (Laurels, Tony Harmes), Untold Dollar (Hove Puppy Cup, Carol Weatherall) and Wicky Ned (Gymcrack, Jimmy Fenwick).

Hove racing manager Rob Abrey said: “Queen Joni was fantastic through the Brighton Belle and deserves the award – and might win it again in May the way she’s going!

“But Coral Brighton Belle night here was special for Liz and Rab (McNair), especially with Queen Dusty finishing second to give the kennel a one-two. I know hindsight’s a wonderful thing but I suppose that was our pointer to Trainers’ Judgement Night the following week here which, of course, the McNairs and the KSS Syndicate won.”

Time Greyhound Nutrition’s Willie Rigney congratulated connections of Queen Joni and wished connections the very best for their upcoming Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby campaign at Towcester, starting next week.

Rigney said: “Joni is a fantastic bitch and our congratulations go to Rab, Liz, Brendan (Keogh), Simon (Senyk) and Ian (Openshaw). Her Brighton Belle win was out the top drawer and, Rob’s right, I’d say Joni gets a few more votes in May’s vote, too!

“She’s been exceptional this year, winning the Kent Plate at Central Park and now the Brighton Belle. That’s two Cat One wins already in 2024, added to her two in 2023.

“Good luck to her and the rest of Rab and Liz’s team at Towcester – and to connections of all the other runners in the English Derby. I’m delighted to see Faypoint Harvey, our Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Championship winner, in among the entries. Graham (Holland) has a powerful team as you’d expect.

“We’ve got that to look forward to – and also our sponsorship at Sheffield. We had the heats of the Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps to Victory on Sunday and are back there for the semis on Sunday – then it’s the final on the Sunday (May 26) after the first round heats of the Derby. That’s some weekend for greyhound fans.”

Queen Joni succeeds joint winners for March’s Time Greyhound of the Month award after Paul Young’s TV Trophy winner Bubbly Inferno shared the spoils with Carol Weatherall’s Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby champion Untold Dollar.