Five nominations for the Greyhound Racing UK Greyhound of the Month for July
Five nominations for the Greyhound Racing UK Greyhound of the Month for July. Fabulous Sonique, Gingers Prince, Romeo Alliance, Naochra and Wicky Ned
Five nominations for the Greyhound Racing UK Greyhound of the Month for July
There are five nominations for the Greyhound Racing UK Greyhound of the Month for July
Fabulous Sonique - Mark Wallis
Winner of four open races throughout the month, including the £10,000 to the winner Category One Coral Coronation Cup final at Romford over the 575m trip. Sonique started as the odds-on 4/5 favourite for the final back on July 4 and made all in 34.80. A trip to Hove followed that success with a three-length victory in the Coral Saturday Night 500 Bitches open race. Two further wins over the six-bend 575-metre trip at Romford followed with Sonique going off at 1/5 and 4/11.
The December 2022 son of Ballymac Cashout was off the track from mid-February until returning to action in the lead up to the BetGoodwin Pall Mall around Oxford. Gingers Prince was beaten in a trial stakes race, the first-round heats and semi-finals, but qualification and race fitness is all that mattered. On finals night, Gingers Prince was sent off at 7s from T1 and all eyes were on the break. In field with plenty of early pace Gingers Prince followers knew if he could turn handy it would be race on. Rioja Oisin led round with Gingers Prince two lengths behind in third. Off the final bend, that gap was just a length. As they approached the line, the Patrick Browne-trained railer stuck out his neck and won by the shortest of short heads in a photo finish, landing the first Category One success for the kennel.
Romeo Alliance - Patrick Janssens
The Patrick Janssens-trained October 2023 youngster won three on the bounce around Towcester in July, winning the first-round, semi-final and final of the JR Racing Juvenile Classic over the 500-metre trip. Alliance was very consistent on the clock with 28.85, 28.68 and 28.66 wins. That’s ultra-impressive from one so young. Next up is a crack at the Arena Racing Company Puppy Classic at Nottingham.
Naochra - John Flaherty
During the month of July Naochra ran four times at Newcastle. On July 3, Naochra ran from a wider than ideal T5 and finished second in a Trial Stakes race for the upcoming Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat. In the first-round heats Naochra was a beaten 6/5 favourite but ran well following early trouble and laid down a marker for the competition outright. In the semi-finals, further trouble followed, but qualification was gained with a three- and three-quarter length second behind impressive winner Droopys Bookem. All eyes were then on the £12,500 to the winner final of the 2025 Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat final at Newcastle over the 480m trip. Naochra attempted to hit the front out of the second bend but met trouble. Hardwick Mighty then challenged, and they went head-to-head into the third bend. Off the final corner, Naochra stayed on well and took the final by a neck in 28.66. Naochra heads to Monmore on Saturday evening for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and runs in heat three at 8.47 from T1.
Wicky Ned - Jimmy Fenwick
On July 6, Wicky Ned ran in the Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory final at Sheffield over the six-bend 660 metre trip at the Owlerton. Following a second place in the first-round heats over 480 metres, Ned bolted up in the semi-finals over 500 metres, and it was then all eyes on the final. Could Ned smash out from T6 and stay the trip on six-bend debut in the £10,000 Category One final. In the final, Wicky Ned was sent off as the 7/4 second favourite with Chelms Bear well-supported into 11/8. Ned pinged the lids and drove the bend well. Suddenly, he was six lengths clear of Arthur Job with Clems Bear a further three lengths back. As Ned hit the fifth bend, that lead was down to around four and a half lengths with Arthur Job running a gallant race to chase him down. Chelms Bear grabbed third but could never land a blow on the impressive winner. Sadly, a tilt at the Irish Derby is off the cards for Wicky Ned following a muscle tear on his lower bicep following a four-bend trial around Shelbourne Park. The Steel City Cup in October could be next on the agenda, fitness permitting.
