Three locally trained greyhounds remain in contention of landing the richest prize in the east midlands after advancing to the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse semi-finals on Monday.
Vale Bluebell, Hopes Ompaloompa and Loxleys Forest are all less than 30 seconds away from progressing to the Eclipse’s £20,000 final on November 24 after shining in their respective heats.
The competition has attracted a selection of the sport’s star names, including dual Category One champion Proper Heiress, Winter Derby runner-up Gary The Arb, Birmingham Cup second Kilmore Dancer and Gymcrack hero Elusivenomore.
But hopes of a local hero qualifying for the showpiece race remain high, and Esther Driver – trainer of Hopes Ompaloompa – is dreaming of her kennel star reaching his first major final.
The son of Annual Parlena by legendary sire Droopys Sydney is required to finish in the top two of his respective semi-final to achieve that. Despite being drawn in trap five, a box he has run from only twice previously in 38 starts, Esther is keeping her fingers crossed.
“We’ve had railers win from trap five before, so it isn’t out of the question,” said Esther.
“But he’ll need to ping from the traps and get across or break level and be clever at the first turn.
“He didn’t do more than he needed to in his heat. When he was younger, he might’ve asked a few more questions of Elusivenomore who won the race, but he was content in second and that’s where he stayed.
“He’s a smashing greyhound for us with the most loving personality. We tend to run him only at the tracks we know he enjoys, so Nottingham, Towcester and Hove.
“Those are the venues where he’s performing at his best and if he can take us to the Eclipse final it would mean the world.”
Tickets for the semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse at Nottingham Stadium on Monday, November 17, are available online via www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk.
The £20,000 final will be staged a week later where admission is free to all racegoers and those who book online in advance will receive a race card and free drink on arrival.
Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse semi-final draw:
Semi Final One: Proper Heiress, Gary The Arb, Droopys Aladdin, Kilmore Dancer, Zenith Tanju, Team News.
Semi Final Two: Raebella Bullet, Droopys Bookem, Value Bluebell, Up The Game, Hopes Ompaloompa, Droopys Poker.
Semi Final Three: Loxleys Forest, Pain Barrier, Droopys Suprstar, Newinn Oscar, Elusivenomore, Ballymac Sargie.
