Greyhound News: Who will replace Spiridon Louis as Greyhound of the Year?

Greyhounds News / Editor / 19 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

All the sports' headlines wrapped up in one handy place.

Fear Zafonic is a red-hot favourite for the Birmingham Cup final at Perry Barr on Thursday after winning his semi-final at the Birmingham track on Friday.

Trained by Charlie Lister, he completed at double in the three semis for the Newark handler whose Affleck Elite won his qualifier. And in what is a snapshot for the battle for the Trainer of the Year title, Lister's pair will take on three Mark Wallis-trained finalists. Liz McNairs's Shaneboy Luke completes the field.

Trap draw: 1 Goldcrest King, 2 Fear Zafonic, 3 Mountjoy Gold, 4 Directors Ruler, 5 Affleck Elite, 6 Shaneboy Luke (m).

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Wimbledon stages its first Springbok trial stakes this week. Most of the leading names are running, with Tuesday's clash of Nebuchadnezzar and Little Boy the most interesting head-to-head. The fastest 36 qualifiers from race times and three-dog trials line up in the heats on January 28.

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Romeo Maldini, beaten favourite in last week's Prestige final at Wimbledon, could be dropped back in distance with the target of the Derby for the son of Droopys Maldini.
He ran in the Classic last year

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Droopys Carvalho gained compensation from an unlucky-in-running third in the Essex Vase at Romford before Christmas when running out an easy winner of the Coronation Cup over the same course and distance on Friday.

John Mullins's is now being earmarked for the Arc at Swindon.

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The first GBGB Calendar, the publication read by owners, trainers and enthusiasts which details regulation issues and upcoming open races, was mailed to subscribers last week.

Replacing the NGRC Calendar following the launch of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, and the effective amalgamation of the NGRC and BGRB, the Calendar has a new-look with individual track sections.

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This Sunday (January 20) sees the annual GBGB Awards at the London Hilton Metropole.
The black-tie evening, which has been a sell out for a few weeks, will celebrate the stars of the track in 2008, with the main award the coveted Greyhound of the Year title.

In running for the honour won last year by Spiridon Louis are Boherna Best, Bubbly Totti, Flying Winner and Lenson Joker.

Incidentally, Boherna Best was due to return to the track for a trial this week. He is currently trading at [25.0] for the Derby.

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Main racing this week away from Perry Barr's live-on-Sky meeting on Thursday sees Romford on Friday with a maiden stayers final and supporting card and more Springbok trial stakes at Wimbledon on Saturday.

Open-race schedule, week beginning Jan 19.
Monday: Romford, Nottingham
Tuesday: Wimbledon
Wednesday: Harlow
Thursday: Henlow, Perry Barr.
Friday: Romford
Saturday: Monmore, Newcastle, Shawfield, Swindon, Wimbledon
Sunday: Coventry