Dazl Rolex Looking to Turn Back Time with Premier Greyhound Racing Regency Tilt

The comeback story that has captured the attention of racing fans nationwide reaches its next chapter this weekend as the classy stayer prepares for his most significant test since injury struck in September 2024.

The Road to Recovery: A Trainer's Dedication

Ricky Holloway's classy stayer returned to action back in May having been off with a broken hock which occurred in a trial at Crayford in September. Having been nursed back to fitness by Holloway, he is set to make a return to Open Class company on Saturday night when appearing in Heat 5 of the Premier Greyhound Racing Regency.

The injury could have ended many racing careers, but Holloway's experience with similar setbacks provided hope from the outset. His track record with hock injuries has proven that patient rehabilitation can yield successful returns to top-level competition.

Ricky Holloway explains the injury and recovery process: 

"He broke a hock in a trial at Crayford back in September, but I never actually retired him at that point. I had three other broken hocks at Hove but all three have come back and since won races again, and Rolex is the fourth one to come back."

Return to Form: Building Back to Distance Racing

The rehabilitation process has been methodical, with Holloway carefully managing Rolex's return to competitive action. Recent performances over shorter trips have served as stepping stones back to the staying distances where the Golden Jacket winner excels.

Recent Preparation Work

• Monday Trial Performance: 500m trial showing encouraging signs
• Recent Racing: Four-bend competitions as fitness building
• Saturday Target: Heat 5 of Premier Regency heats
• Competition Distance: Return to six-bend staying test

Holloway on recent preparation:

"I was pleased with his trial over 500m on Monday. He's had a few races back over the four bends but he's a distance dog and has never raced over a four distance before until recently so he's being stepped back up again, and we are hopeful of a good run from him."

Premier Regency: The Ultimate Test

The Premier Greyhound Racing Regency represents one of the most demanding staying competitions in the UK calendar. Run over Hove's challenging six-bend 695-meter course, it attracts the nation's finest staying performers and provides the perfect platform for Rolex to announce his return to elite level competition.

Saturday's Heat 5 assignment will pit the Golden Jacket winner against current open race performers who have maintained their competitive edge throughout the period of his rehabilitation. The challenge is significant, but Holloway's confidence in his charge suggests the preparation has been thorough.

Innovation in Ownership: New Racing Club Initiative

Beyond the immediate focus on Rolex's comeback, Holloway has embarked on an ambitious project to rejuvenate ownership opportunities within the sport through innovative racing club structures.

The experienced trainer has launched a comprehensive ownership initiative designed to attract both new and existing participants to greyhound ownership through cost-effective syndicate arrangements.

Holloway explains the racing club concept: 

"We have put four dogs into various syndicates for the local owners at Hove or for the armchair punter at home, we will be giving people the chance to own a share of a greyhound at a cost effective price."

Marketing Strategy and Outreach Plans

The racing club initiative extends beyond simple syndicate arrangements, encompassing a full marketing strategy designed to reach both traditional racing audiences and potential new participants.

Holloway on the comprehensive approach: 

"We are in the process of having a website designed and we have an advertising campaign in the racecard starting on Saturday, we will be producing leaflets and apart from the website, we will be looking to advertise on social media. We are really going to give this a try, and we will have various levels of racing clubs."

Category-Based Club Structure

The innovative approach includes structured participation levels that cater to different experience levels and financial commitments, from Category One competitors down to graded racing participants.

On the structured approach: 

"Category One dogs can go into one club, and then they can work down to the graders, but we will put some effort into this. We will look to try and bring a boost to the sport. I'm sick of always hearing the doom and gloom stories in the sport so we are going to try and reverse that and put some positivity back into things."

Industry Impact and Future Implications

Holloway's dual approach of rehabilitating elite performers like Dazl Rolex while simultaneously working to expand ownership opportunities represents a microcosm of the industry's broader challenges and potential solutions.

The success of both ventures - Rolex's return to competitive excellence and the racing club initiative - could provide templates for other industry participants facing similar challenges with injured champions and ownership recruitment.

Saturday's Significance

Beyond the immediate sporting contest, Saturday's Premier Regency heat carries symbolic importance as a statement of intent from both horse and connections. Success would validate the rehabilitation process and potentially inspire confidence in similar comeback attempts throughout the industry.

What to Watch: 

Heat 5 of the Premier Greyhound Racing Regency at Hove on Saturday represents more than just another race - it's a comeback story, an ownership innovation showcase, and a testament to the dedication required at the highest levels of greyhound racing.

Premier Regency Competition Context

The Premier Greyhound Racing Regency traditionally attracts the finest staying performers from across the UK and Ireland. Previous winners have included some of the greatest names in staying competition, making victory a significant achievement for any participant.

For Dazl Rolex, success would add another prestigious title to a resume already featuring the Golden Jacket triumph. For Holloway, it would represent vindication of his patient rehabilitation approach and provide momentum for his racing club initiatives.