Greyhound Board of Great Britain Greyhound of the Year Droopys Clue will make his highly anticipated return to Perry Barr on Saturday night in the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger.
Seamus Cahill’s outstanding three-year-old has amassed over £50,000 in prize money for owner Alex Hambi with Category One success coming in the Juvenile Classic, George Curtis Ballyregan Bob Memorial and last month’s Summer Stayers Classic.
Cluedo – as he is affectionately referred to in the greyhound racing community – experienced his finest hour exactly a year ago when winning the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger at Perry Barr.
He broke Perry Barr’s 710-metre track record that night, clocking 42.33 seconds when beating runner-up Jacktavern Bella by six lengths.
And connections of the defending champion hope he can become the first greyhound to retain his title in the St Leger’s 96-year history when his campaign begins in Heat Five on Saturday night at 9.36pm.
Biggin Hill based trainer Seamus Cahill described the August ’21 born dog as one of the best he has had in his kennel.
“He’s come out of the Summer Stayers Classic well so we’re happy with him before the first round,” said Seamus. “He’s right up there with one of the best greyhounds we’ve had in the kennel, especially as a dual-distance dog.
“Perry Barr is a strong galloping track which he clearly enjoys and the long run to the bend really suits him.
“Alex (Hambi, owner) bought him as an unraced pup and last year’s performance in the final blew us away. The 710m trip is enough for him, but between now and round one we’ll keep him ticking over – nothing special needs to be done.”
Other entries of interest in this year’s competition include Premier Greyhound Racing Regency champion Baywatch Bullet, Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby winner Clona Curly and four-times Category One finalist Lively Lauren.
Mark Wallis’ Ballymac Taylor is another at the top of the market to have reached four Category One finals while Jason Heath’s Haka Carlo enters the competition in good form having won four of his last seven races.
Saturday’s fixture coincides with Round One of the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup in Memory of Michael Lambe Senior. Doors open at 6pm with the first of 12 Category One races off at 7.01pm.
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2024 Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger:
Heat One: Haka Carlo, Coonough Crow, Platinum Bea, Greenwell Ange, Sugar Boy Frankie, Haka Luigi.
Heat Two: Vale Bluebell, Magical Luna, Savana Heross, Tromora Rex, Sugar Moon, Toddys Thunder.
Heat Three: Littlers Nuke, Tuono Bella, Lamorna Amaze, Trickycinderella, Taffy Disney, Westway Zoro.
Heat Four: Lamorna Lexi, HopieHopieHopie, Ballymac Taylor, Savana Jackpot, Move Over Ogie, Alright Gordy.
Heat Five: Aero Chubby, Sugar Girl Katie, Droopys Clue, Bockos Wazza, Clona Curly, Hawk.
Heat Six: Baywatch Bullet, Mrs Doyle, Lively Lauren, Droopys Moose, Lynnias Power, Hurry Up Jordan.
