Greyhound racing will crown the best trainer in the land at Perry Barr Stadium on Saturday evening as the Birmingham venue hosts Judgement Night for the second time.
Open to six of the UK’s most successful trainers, Judgement Night sees each trainer enter one greyhound in six categorised races where points are scored depending on the finishing position of each runner.
The trainer that has accumulated the most points after all six races is crowned the winner, and this year’s competition has attracted a star line-up.
English Greyhound Derby winning trainers Mark Wallis, Kevin Hutton and Patrick Janssens are confirmed. Multiple Category One winning trainers Tom Heilbron and Maxine Locke are also part of this year’s Judgement Night and Nathan Hunt, one of the sport’s rising stars.
Oxfordshire-based Kevin Hutton has experienced the most success at Judgement Night in recent years and under its former name – the Trainers’ Championship - having won four of the last nine renewals. But a star-studded line-up on Saturday’s card means Kevin is entering this year’s event with realistic expectations.
“On paper, we’ve tracked stronger teams in previous years,” said Kevin. “Having said that, we thought the same last year and only missed out by a point so you never know what can happen.
“Timing is key to being successful on Judgement Night, all trainers will tell you the same. If the competition was a month down the line, we’d likely have Rioja Oisin ready for the sprint and Union Rebel fit too.
“We work hard all year to qualify for Saturday, so to be part of Judgement Night again is very special – this is our thirteenth appearance on the spin which we’re very proud of.
“I’m looking forward to Droopys Berries’ run. He has a great draw and can be a fast greyhound on his day. But, he is still learning so as much as he could do something special he could make a mess of things as well.
“Most of the team will be there on the night, plus a group of our owners so we’re very much looking forward to it.”
Star greyhounds appearing on the night include Category One champions Fire and Ice, Links Maverick, Southfield Poppy, Druids Say Go and Droopys Eunice. Ten points are awarded for a win, seven points for second, five points for third, three points for fourth, two points for fifth and one point for sixth.
Doors open at 6pm with race one on the night off an hour later. Limited free admission tickets remain available to reserve online via www.perrybarr-greyhounds.co.uk.
The full draw for Judgement Night can be viewed below.
Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night Puppy: Ballymac Kobe (Maxine Locke), Westside Butch (Nathan Hunt), Rackethall Brute (Mark Wallis), Droopys Berries (Kevin Hutton), Romeo Tomcat (Patrick Janssens), Deliverooo (Tom Heilbron).
Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night Standard B: Droopys Plunge (Patrick Janssens), Untold Paanga (Nathan Hunt), Coppice Trophy (Kevin Hutton), Armagh Daithi (Mark Wallis), Clona Dash (Tom Heilbron), Whitewood Lenny (Maxine Locke).
Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night Dash: Romeo Kingpin (Patrick Janssens), Fire and Ice (Nathan Hunt), Links Maverick (Tom Heilbron), Coppice Ronnie (Kevin Hutton), Tullymurry Dylan (Maxine Locke), Ballinakill Liam (Mark Wallis).
Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night Bitches: Bang On Edith (Nathan Hunt), Untold Ruble (Tom Heilbron), Southfield Poppy (Kevin Hutton), Fabulous Sonique (Mark Wallis), Druids Say Go (Patrick Janssens), Droopys Eunice (Maxine Locke).
Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night Stayers: Breton Molly (Patrick Janssens), HopieHopieHopie (Kevin Hutton), Droopys Flotilla (Nathan Hunt), Bombay Nutty (Mark Wallis), Ballymac Sergie (Tom Heilbron), ImOnlyTwilight (Maxine Locke).
Premier Greyhound Racing Judgement Night Standard A: Ballybough Nutz (Maxine Locke), Unanimous Leon (Tom Heilbron), Kilmore Dancer (Mark Wallis), Antigua Kestrel (Kevin Hutton), Romeo Steel (Patrick Janssens), Clona Stand (Nathan Hunt).
