The RPGTV 74th East Anglian Greyhound Derby – Yarmouth 462m – £10,000
KILARA LION extended the lead of Patrick Janssens in the GBGB Trainer of the Year race when landing a brilliant victory for the Central Park handler in the RPGTV 74th East Anglian Greyhound Derby Grand Final at Yarmouth on Wednesday.
After near misses in the competition in recent years with the likes of Kilmore Lemon, Seaglass Phantom and Bockos Alfie, it was the February 18 son of Droopys Jet and Kilara Lizzie, a brother of Saturday’s BoyleSports Irish Derby finalist Kilara Icon, who came up trumps for Janssens in the £10,000 final.
A missed break proved costly for favourite Levante Beach, but it was another Angela Harrison-trained finalist in Droopys Carat who led the field into the first bend followed by leading local Lastfortheroad (Paul Burr). But when the front pair drifted off wide off the second bend, Kilara Lion moved into position against the rail.
Taking the shortest route round, Kilara Lion ran on strongly into the third bend to close on Droopys Carat and, when the Newcastle raider again swung off, the two-year-old hit the front and powered clear up the run-in to win by two and three-quarter lengths from Droopys Carat and the staying-on Troy Firebird (David Mullins) in 27.62sec.
Owned by Chris Crampton, David Priestley, Nigel Thomas and former legendary trainer Harry Crapper, Kilara Lion made a winning UK debut at Doncaster last October for trainer Alex Hopkins, daughter of former Sheffield handler Craig, before also winning races at Nottingham, Sheffield and Monmore for the Worksop-based handler before lockdown.
However, Hopkins then took a break from the sport – to have a baby – and Kilara Lion was sent to Patrick Janssens to continue his career and, after a promising second at Monmore on Ladbrokes Gold Cup Final night, Janssens began preparations for a Yarmouth campaign – which was ultimately successful.
Hopkins, who plans to return to training next year, was on hand to cheer on her star performer and to collect the famous East Anglian Greyhound Derby trophy for the winning owners – and Janssens was delighted to see her.
“Alex did a fantastic job with Lion and he came to me in brilliant condition,” said Janssens. “Yarmouth seemed the best way to go with him. He’s a really good railer, a very well balanced dog, and that can save you plenty of ground at Yarmouth. It can be a tricky place to run, although you need a very fast dog here, too.
“Lion ticked all the boxes and it’s great to have won the Yarmouth Derby now. We’ve had a few finalists over the years and had two chances again this year with Lenson Whelan also in for Dave Cartwright. I always thought Lion might get in front of him early, but Whelan ran another solid race without getting the luck on the night.
“It was Lion’s night and the way he stayed on pleased me – he’s getting stronger with the runs now and we’re heading to Nottingham and the Derby with him now. He’ll trial next week, even though we know he runs the track. Alex won twice with him at Nottingham in February, so we’re looking forward going back there with him.”
The supporting GBGB Category Three finals went to the David Mullins-trained Shrewd Call in the Greene King IPA Sprint and Kevin Boon’s Sheldan in the Derby Purse.
Shrewd Call, the Colossus Bets Kent Silver Salver winner, caught fast-starting Tip Top Foxy (David Prentice) at the bend before holding the challenge of Loggies Lito (Simon Harms) by a half a length in 16.29sec, while Sheldan was always handy before catching longtime leader Upbeat Billy (Richard Clarke) before drawing clear to win by over six lengths from Roxholme Poppy in 40.44sec.
Yarmouth director Simon Franklin congratulated all the winners on the night, but paid particular tribute to connections of the RPGTV East Anglian Greyhound Derby champion.
“Well done to Patrick and Cheryl (Janssens) and their team – and, of course, Kilara Lion’s owners. Patrick has always supported the EA Derby and produced Kilara Lion to run a fantastic race. It topped a great night’s racing, so thanks to all the trainers who entered runners for the opens. Some travelled long distances to get here.
“Many thanks also go to RPGTV for their support, without which the East Anglian Derby wouldn’t have happened this year.
“We had a Covid-capacity crowd, everyone respected the rules and enjoyed the evening. Obviously we apologise to those who weren’t able to come given the restrictions on numbers we employed. However we look forward to being able to welcome you all back next year!
“We race again on Saturday. The restaurant is already full but we do have some room in general admission. People are looking for things to do and what’s better than a great night’s greyhound racing here at Yarmouth!”
Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=366008&raceId=672521