Champion greyhound Woltemade bids for remarkable five-timer in Wolverhampton

Woltemade bids for five

A greyhound trained by Newcastle United superfan Jimmy Fenwick who has taken the racing world by storm could land a remarkable five-timer in Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Woltemade – named after the Magpies’ German forward currently on loan with Juventus – burst onto the scene when winning the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle in February.

The white and brindled dog has followed that up with victories in the Harry Burton Trophy, Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat and the Gold Cup to amass more than £38,000 in prize money.

He’s now on the cusp of a fifth big-race victory in Saturday’s £12,500 ARC Birmingham Cup final at Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium – the UK’s newest greyhound racing venue.

And trainer Jimmy has every reason to believe luck will be on the side of his kennel star after he was drawn in trap five for the big race, the same draw he has been handed for his three previous Category One wins.

“He’s taken well to the Dunstall Park track,” said Fenwick.

“Even though he was narrowly beaten, Saturday’s semi-final run was a good performance in my eyes as he wasn’t as quick away from the traps as we know he can be.

“It’s a short run to the bend, so he’ll have to be on his a-game at the start in a box where he has won all four of his Category One competitions to date.”

Ashington-based Jimmy has already tasted Birmingham Cup success with the now retired Brookside Richie, who won the competition at Perry Barr in 2023.

The six-year-old dual Category One winner has remained with Jimmy and his family in retirement and is available at stud to unearth the next crop of racing champions.

Among those pups to have caught the eye are the Malcolm Gray trained Inclement Cindy – a winner on her first two starts – and Howay Mateo, who Jimmy believes could turn into a promising sprinter.

“He (Brookside Richie) is thriving in retirement, and has some nice puppies performing well on track,” said Jimmy.

“There’s definitely a strong stud career in front of him.

“The Birmingham Cup is one of the oldest competitions on the calendar which we’re fortunate to have had success in previously, so we’re thrilled to have a live chance in this year’s final.”

The Fenwick kennel is also represented in the 94th Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger final, worth £20,000 to the winner.

Originally held at Wembley Stadium prior to its transfer to Wimbledon in 1999, the St Leger is one of greyhound racing’s original classic competitions.

This year’s event has been dominated by champion stayer Droopys Flare, but Jimmy isn’t ruling out an upset with his hope Zenith Pasha.

“(Droopys) Flare is an outstanding greyhound,” said Fenwick.

“To beat him and the other finalists, we have to trap and hold that inside pitch.

“Zenith Pasha does have strong early pace in his locker, but I don’t think we’ve seen it in public yet. He led kennel mate Elusivenomore to the first bend in a 480m trial at Dunstall Park last month which took some doing.

“If we can make it difficult for Droopys Flare in the early parts of the race, there’s no reason why we can’t win.”

A limited number of free admission tickets are available for racegoers to reserve online via www.dunstallpark-greyhounds.co.uk. Doors open at 5.30pm, with the first race off at 6.20pm. Tickets on the night are priced £8, with all U18s going free.