New Destiny ante post favourite for the Category One bet365 Empress Stakes at Towcester

New Destiny ante post favourite for the Category One bet365 Empress Stakes at Towcester

On Sunday, September 7 all eyes will be on Towcester as the Category One bet365 Empress Stakes first-round heats take centre stage. 

bet365 outright prices: 

New Destiny 3, Silverhill Freya 7/2, Strike It Skye 6, Bushpark Mel 8, Bockos Sapphire 12, Fabulous Sonique 12, Slick Skylark 14, Bacardi Bullet 20, Ballymac Kinga 25, Coppice Saphire 25, Fabulous Riki 25, Raebella Bullet 25, Beatties Razl 33, Bossy Bullet 33, Dreamin Francis 33, Fabulous Electra 33, Indian Floyd 33, Skeard Josie 33, Yahoo Mareike 33, Baroness Velvet 50s, Chakra 50, Coppice Lottie 50, Lilys Bullet 50, Makeit Lorraine 50, Makeit River 50, Signet Morgan 50, Singalong Molly 50, Skyfall Mini 50, Chelms Chloe 66, Fabulous Naomi 66, Miss Direct 66, Undergroundnicky 66, Arthur Minute 100, Montalto Glory 150, Montalto Mist 200, Montalto Runner 200. 

Run over the four-bend 500 metres, the bet365 sponsored Empress Stakes has attracted a top-class field including New Destiny from the Mark Wallis kennel and Irish raider Siverhill Freya who was last seen in the Select Stakes at Nottingham, finishing sixth behind 2024 Greyhound of The Year Wicky Ned. An interesting runner who could appeal at the prices on offer is January 2024 youngster Strike It Skye who lines up from T3 in heat four of the bet365 Empress Stakes on Sunday at 2.52. The Mark Wallis-trained youngster bolted up in a course and distance trial stakes race last Sunday, clocking 29.22 from off the pace. The time before that, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout ran out an impressive winner at Monmore, clocking 27.86 following a 4.30 sectional. 

Speaking to Patrick Cooney of sponsors bet365, he had this to say about the upcoming Category One competition: “The previous winners, Fabulous Azurra, Cratfy Shivoo and Avongate Venus were all top-class and were well backed ante post. 

“This year’s renewal looks just as classy thanks to the welcome addition of the Graham Holland entries, including second favourite Silverhill Freya. 

"Heading the ante post list, though, is New Destiny trained by Mark Wallis, a real top-class competition bitch who has won 39 of her 59 races. Another from the Wallis kennel is Strike It Skye, who is our 3rd favourite outright. The January 2024 pup has won three from four and is 6s ante post.

“They head our market, but there are many talented bitches at big prices who are more than capable of reaching the final. We’re delighted with the entries and wish the best of luck to all connections.’’

The draw for the first-round of the bet365 Empress Stakes at Towcester can be seen below:

This will be the fourth year of sponsorship from bet365, following on from Fabulous Azurra winning in 2022, Crafty Shivoo in 2023 and Avongate Venus in 2024. 

In 2022, Fabulous Azurra ran out an impressive right length winner in her first-round heats before finishing third in the second-round and semi-finals. Heading into the final, the Patrick Janssens-trained August 19 daughter of Magical Bale was on offer at 15/8 and backers never had a moment's doubt as she pinged the lids and made all in 29.19.

The following year, the Category One prize went to Crafty Shivoo with the Mark Wallis-trained October 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney taking the final in 30.11 at 8/11 with Charming Girl in second.

Last year, Avongate Venus went unbeaten throughout the competition and went onto take the final by one- and three-quarter lengths with Icemans Girl in second. The Phillip Milner-trained Doncaster raider Venus attempted to follow up the Empress Stakes success with a tilt at the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks at Perry Barr, but she was eliminated in the second round.