Greyhound trainer Tom Levers will be hoping for a homebred Category One winner on Friday when kennel favourite Beach Babe runs in the StarSports Galaxy Final at Oxford Stadium.
The Guildford-based trainer has already reached two Category One finals – the highest grade of competition in UK greyhound racing – with his star two-year-old, despite her career beginning only seven months ago.
She finished runner-up to Savana Volcano in the prestigious Cesarewitch at Crayford in November before placing third behind Mohican Tara and Space Jet in the WKH Development Services Diamond Stakes at Oxford in January.
Beach Babe qualified for her third major final in only five months last week when finishing second in the competition’s opening Semi Final in 54.02 seconds – an average speed of over 35mph. Levers is now hoping for a case of third time lucky when lining up in the evening’s feature race at 8.43pm over 847-metres.
“She missed the break last week and had to use a lot of petrol to get to the front where she likes to run,” said Levers. “She didn’t have the smoothest run either, so we have our excuses.
“She’s capable of winning on Friday, but we’ll need to see an improvement on her opening sectional. It would be a great win for the kennel if she can do it.
“We bred her and then reared her from three months of age, so she’s had a fantastic upbringing in an environment where she’s been able to thrive. She’s very easy, relaxed, and takes everything in her stride.
“As a pup she loved to run and would charge around our paddocks but never really get out of breath, so we knew early on she’d be an ideal marathon bitch. It’s easy to forget she’s only just turned two given her achievements.”
Levers’ touchpoint with greyhound racing dates back to his childhood where his grandfather was also a full-time trainer.
The 32-year-old now cares for 86 dogs and has been training professionally for over 10 years. He said every dog has its own quirks, although marathon performer Beach Babe is a typically laid-back dog.
“She’s a very easy dog to care for,” said Levers. “Some greyhounds require more treatment and care than others to get them ready for their next race.
“But Beach Babe never seems to be too tired the day after one of her races. We’ll do as we do every week for our dogs leading up to the race by keeping their routine mostly the same, plenty of walking and feeding the best quality foods.
“Like everything in life, you get out of greyhound racing what you put in and delivering the best standards of care, nutrition and comfort is what makes a successful kennel.”
Tickets for Friday’s StarSports Galaxy Marathon Grand Final are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here. Racing on the night begins at 6.17pm and is supported by three graded contests and seven open races.
StarSports Galaxy Marathon Grand Final draw:
Trap One – Ower Smasher
Trap Two – Night Time Danny
Trap Three – Castell Mill
Trap Four – A Mystical Love
Trap Five – Droopys Jungle
Trap Six – Beach Babe
