TOWCESTER is readying itself for a huge week as the Northamptonshire track counts down to the semi-finals of the Star Sports/TRC Events & Leisure English Greyhound Derby on Saturday.

However, the track also races on Friday with the heats of a number of competitions – the BGBF TruFrame British Bred Champion Stakes (500m), the Gain Greyhound Nutrition Cup  (712m), the Madri Exceptional Cup (500m) plus the RPGTV Watling Street Sprint – the finals of which take place on Derby final night on July 10.

Track spokesman Nathan Corden said: “All the Friday action is on RPGTV and SIS and kick-starts a fantastic weekend here at Towcester given the Derby semi-finals take place on Saturday and then the Derby Lunch here on Monday – we are also racing Sunday afternoon too, of course.

“But the Derby takes centre-stage and it’s shaping up into a cracker and what Deerjet Sydney is doing for connections – and the sport it should be said – is absolutely amazing. He’s now the only unbeaten runner left in the competition and is two races away from rewriting history having won the Derby at Nottingham last year.

“He always looked set to spearhead a strong Irish challenge for the English Derby and together with kennelmate Knocknaboul Syd is doing Pat (Buckley) and the family proud. And with eight of the 12 semi-finalists Irish you can see why sponsors Star Sports were happy to offer decent prices about an English winner!

“However, the home team is still well represented – and we could still have a pretty even split come the final. We’ll see what happens next week, but I thought the racing was again top-drawer on Saturday and let’s hope for same again next week.”

Reigning champion Deerjet Sydney kicked off the quarter-finals with a faultless victory, breaking well and leading into the first bend on his way to a near-two lengths victory over staying-on Cold As Ice (Jimmy Fenwick) and Toolmaker Sydney (Robert Gleeson). The winning time was an oozing class 29.13sec (normal) – the quickest of the night.

Gaytime Milo landed another Irish victory in the second quarter-final as he led home a one-three for trainer Graham Holland, riding a bump at the first bend before crossing the line three lengths clear of the running-on Bockos Belly (Patrick Janssens) and kennelmate Newinn Session. The winning time for the 500m trip was 29.40sec.

Thorn Falcon helped champion trainer Patrick Janssens match Graham Holland’s feat in sending out a one-three in the third quarter-final as the Maiden Derby winner continued his impressive Towcester record in all-the-way style from Ballymac Fairone (Liam Dowling) and kennelmate Kilara Lion, the Blue Riband champion, in 29.48sec.

The fourth and final quarter-final went to Knocknaboul Syd as Pat Buckley completed a notable double courtesy of the Easter Cup hero who was quickly away – posting a fastest-of-the-round 4.16sec sectional – as he raced away to win by four lengths from compatriots Ballymac Wild (Liam Dowling) and Beach Avenue (Paul Hennessy).

This Irish-trained trio now head into next week’s semi-finals along with the rest of the qualifiers with places in the £175,000-to-the-winner Classic final up for grabs on Saturday  – not to mention places for connections at Monday’s traditional Star Sports and TRC Events & Leisure-backed Derby Lunch.

Staged this year at Towcester itself, Kim Sanzone, executive assistant at Star Sports, is looking forward to another special occasion in what is the fifth year of the company’s involvement in the world’s greatest greyhound race. The Derby lunch is integral to that, explains Sanzone, and its return to the schedule after last year’s Covid postponement means a lot.

“It’s about celebrating the event and the finalists,” said says. “We’re back at Towcester for our fifth year of Derby sponsorship and, having been involved in its two previous stagings of the event there, were excited about taking the Derby to another level this summer – especially given all the restrictions that have needed to be dealt with.

“After missing out last year due to lockdown, but having previously staged the Derby Lunch at the Ritz, we’re delighted Towcester stepped in to host this year’s event. The lunch will begin with a champagne reception and the draw, and then a chance for greyhound racing to get together with connections of the finalists and celebrate this great race.

“Overall we’ve been delighted by the quality of the Derby – right from the start when the entries were known – especially as we’re still subject to government restrictions. The Derby coverage across all mediums has been exceptional and it’s fantastic to witness the buzz this is creating for the sport. I fully expect the Derby roar to be extra loud this year!”

Form and trap draw for Saturday’s semi-finals of the Star Sports and TRC Events & Leisure English Greyhound Derby 2021: https://www.bagsracing.com/assets/3-july—towcester-adv.pdf

 

Star Sports and TRC Events & Leisure English Greyhound Derby 2021 dates:-

Semi-finals: Saturday, July 03

Final: Saturday, July 10