Two brand new £10,000 Category One competitions get underway at Oxford Stadium tonight, with a host of star names on show as part of a glittering 11-race all open card.
The BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup over 450m has attracted a field of 23 greyhounds with the first three finishers in each of tonight’s four Round One heats advancing to next week’s semi-finals.
The WKH Development Services Diamond Stakes over 847m takes centre stage after the aforementioned qualifiers, with the first three greyhounds from each race advancing to next week’s Grand Final.
Heading the market in the BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup is Kevin Hutton’s Romeo Atomic. Owned by Dave Firmager, Romeo Atomic clocked an outstanding time of 27.00 on his Oxford debut back in December.
He followed that up with a 27.09 effort in a solo trial on January 4.
Tonight, he appears to face a comfortable Round One qualifier in Heat Two at 6.48pm. All five of his opponents will be required to make a significant step up if they are to get anywhere near the competition’s ante-post favourite.
In a competitive opening heat at 6.33pm, Michelle Brown trained Gooner will be hoping to register a second win in succession in OX4 having won an Open contest in 27.29 only last week.
Drawn wide in trap six with a vacant box to his left, Gooner could benefit from a clear run around the first bend should he find the early pace that proved too much for his rivals last week. John Mullins’ Jaffa in the same race is an interesting contender, although he is yet to have sight of Oxford which will be a disadvantage.
Making the long trip from Newcastle in Heat Three at 7.07pm is Watchhall Sid for Carl Jackson. A 27.62 solo trial on Monday caught the eye of many and he’d be expected to qualify.
In the WKH Development Services Diamond Stakes, one greyhound has the potential to steal the show. Space Jet has only been beaten three times this year, winning her other 11 races.
Her nearest likely challenge in Heat Two at 8.03pm tomorrow night is Tom Levers’ Beach Babe, who finished over 10 lengths adrift of Space Jet when the pair last met on New Year’s Day.
In the other heat, bet365 Challenge Cup finalist Wota Swell Party should appreciate the step up in trip and will be hopeful of advancing to next week’s £10,000 final. Antigua Lava stands out on form, she came within a short-head of beating Space Jet in December and is a lively contender for Mark Wallis.
First race tonight is off at 6.17pm, tickets are available via our website for £9 or can be purchased on the door for £12.
ends
