Champion greyhound trainer Mark Wallis and the MWD Partnership won one of the most competitive Category One finals of the year on Monday night with kennel star Newinn Syd.
The October ’21 dog scooped the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Grand Final at Nottingham Stadium to end the prestigious competition undefeated in a winning time of 29.51 seconds.
A son of Droopys Sydney, Newinn Syd stole the show with a four-length victory over Diane Henry’s Burj Khalifa with Bockos Crystal representing Ireland for trainer Graham Holland in third.
Newinn Syd trapped quickest of his five rivals and never looked back to record a first Category One success only five months after making his UK debut in an Open contest at Monmore.
Owners Mike Davis and Michelle Connolly of the MWD Partnership – who flew in from Ireland especially for the final – were thrilled with the performance and immediately paid credit to connections of the Eclipse’s other finalists.
“This has to be one of the best finals of the year,” said Mike. “We’re so delighted (Newinn) Syd came out on top but a huge mention to everyone connected to the six finalists.
“We weren’t convinced he would race to his true potential at Nottingham when we came here for the Puppy Classic, but he’s proven us all wrong with time and delivered his best performance when it counted.
“Connections of our fellow finalists agreed whichever greyhound reached the first bend in front stood the best chance of winning. We know Syd is a strong runner and there was no catching him at the end.
“This means so much to us and we couldn’t be happier with the result.”
Finishing fourth in the race was English Greyhound Derby finalist Clona Duke while Nathan Hunt’s Droopys Google managed fifth with Ballymac John – also owned by the MWD Partnership – in sixth.
Greyhound racing returns to Nottingham Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday mornings with Friday evening racing also programmed where the first race is due off at 6.19pm.
General admission plus trackside and restaurant packages are available to purchase via the stadium’s website www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk.