A greyhound trainer from Overseal who took over her partner’s license while he underwent surgery on his heart is one race away from qualifying for Europe’s richest competition final.
Esther Driver has worked in greyhound racing all her life and became a trainer for the first time this year while partner Paul Sallis was admitted to hospital for life-saving surgery.
The 46-year-old has achieved the unthinkable during Paul’s absence by qualifying kennel star No Better Feelin to the semifinals of the £175,000 English Greyhound Derby at Towcester Racecourse in Northamptonshire.
With support from a team of backroom staff, Esther is responsible for 69 greyhounds who run mostly at Nottingham Stadium – a venue operated by Arena Racing Company.
But following Friday’s evening fixture at the Colwick Park venue, all attention will divert to Towcester where a top three finish for No Better Feelin would book his spot in Derby final on Saturday, June 14.
His semifinal appearance was confirmed when finishing third behind defending champion De Lahdedah and multiple category one competition winner Churchfield Syd during Saturday’s quarterfinals.
Esther said reaching this point of the Derby has been a dream, adding that she’s loving every moment.
“From where I was watching the quarterfinal, I couldn’t see if he’d broke well,” said Esther. “When he turned off the second bend in third, I couldn’t take my eyes off the dogs behind him.
“We were all just hoping and praying he could hold on, and he did! I think we were even more pleased with how much ground he made up on De Lahdedah and Churchfield Syd once they straightened up.
“It’s been such an enjoyable experience reaching the semifinals. We haven’t felt any pressure, and we’re still the outsiders to win the competition.
“For us, we know we might never reach this stage of the competition again so we’re going to enjoy every moment of it. Qualifying for the final would be unbelievable.”
Following the quarterfinals, No Better Feelin was handed a dream draw for the semifinals where he’ll run from trap one. The race also features Prince Naseem, Droopys Plunge and Dynamic Force plus kennelmates and, arguably, two of the world’s fastest dogs Cheap Sandwiches and Bockos Diamond.
“He’s got the perfect draw,” said Esther. “If he can break well and hold his pitch at the bend, who knows.
“We’re against the two fastest dogs in the world. If they (Cheap Sandwiches and Bockos Diamond) get in each other’s way and the fast-starting Dynamic Force in trap four it might work to our advantage.
“Our hat’s in the ring, and that’s all we can ask for.”
