DISTANT EMMA, trained by Barrie Draper for Peter Band, is the RPGTV/GWA Greyhound of the Month for May.

Winner of the tri-distance Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory Final at Sheffield, Distant Emma received the most votes in a poll of Greyhound Writers’ Association members and claimed the honour ahead of Clona Duke (Graham Holland), Fearsome Enigma (John Marriott), Low Pressure (Belinda Green), Stormy News (Michael Hurst) and Swords Rex (Graham Holland).

Success for Distant Emma in the competition at the Owlerton venue, which required top-class efforts over 480m, 500m and 660m, was a fourth success in the event for local trainer Draper after wins for Farloe Hack (2004), Ballymac Eske (2014) and Bull Run Button (2019). Ballymac Eske, who famously broke the six-bend record at Sheffield in the decider, is the winner’s grandsire.

Clive Lawrence, executive producer at award sponsors RPGTV, said: “To win the 3 Steps you need speed and stamina and Distant Emma clearly has both. It’s a unique event in the GBGB Calendar with three different distances used, but the Drapers clearly have an affinity with it – and we were all delighted for Rose (Draper, RPGTV analyst).

“Good luck to Emma moving forward and, of course, to her litter brother Distant Podge in the quarter-finals of the English Greyhound Derby at Towcester – and once again RPGTV will be there as we build up to our biggest programme of the year for the Derby final at Towcester on Saturday, July 1.”

Andrew Mascarenhas, Sheffield’s racing manager, paid his own tribute to the October 2020 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Distant Lucy, commenting: “Right from the start she looked the one to beat – certainly in the betting.

“However, she was coming back from seasonal rest so her victory in the Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps to Victory was even more impressive in terms of a recent break. It will be interesting to see what sort of campaign Emma will have moving forward – I’m sure there are plenty of options for her whether that be over a stiff four bends or six bends.

“Of course, our thanks go to the sponsors for their support. The 2023 Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory was another superb competition.”