Five to Follow From Champion Greyhound Trainer Mark Wallis
At the end of 2021, Mark Wallis was crowned Champion Greyhound Trainer for a record-breaking twelfth time. His haul of Category One triumphs included the TV Trophy, East Anglian Derby, Essex Vase, Regency and Sussex Cup.
Mark Wallis is hoping for big things from his new recruits. ©SuffolkNews
In 2022 the Suffolk-based trainer is hoping to train yet more big race winners and take a thirteenth Champion Greyhound Trainer title.
Speaking exclusively to BestBettingSites.com, the two-time Derby-winning trainer has given our readers five dogs to follow during the coming year. Wallis begins with a 2021 flagbearer, Antigua Storm, but he has also listed four lightly raced newcomers with “bags of potential.”
Antigua Storm, April 2019 (Droopys Jet x Basket Of Trumps)
“Antigua Storm had a fantastic second-half of 2021 when runner up in the Sussex Cup at Hove amongst his first races for us. He was runner-up again in the Gold Cup at Monmore before he gained a richly deserved success in the prestigious East Anglian Derby at Yarmouth in September.”
“He injured a toe when making his fourth straight Category One final in October and he has been laid off for three months now. Storm should be as good as new in 2022 and he is a genuine Derby contender. I’d not put anyone off backing him now at 50/1.”
Antigua Hope, April 2020 (Droopys Buick x Looking Sharp)
“This blue bitch won on her debut in Tralee recording a scintillating 28.36 seconds. She was snapped up by top owner Amanda Jeal afterward. Bred to stay, she will initially be targeted at the Monmore Puppy Derby in March. She looks a serious greyhound especially for later in the year.”
Tiffield Trajan, June 2020 (Farloe Blitz x Coney Peninsula)
“From the Ian Greaves breeding academy, Tiffieldd Trajan was bought relatively cheaply. Nevertheless, he was impressive in qualifying trials and won his first two races at Henlow – an A3 and then an A2. He looks certain to step up into open class shortly. So he is another that we are targeting at the Monmore Puppy Derby plus the major races in 2022.”
Druids On Song, March 2020 (Droopys Buick X Daring Rose)
“He is yet to race for us, but he was well regarded in Ireland before being purchased by Michelle Connolly. His qualifying trials have been good but not spectacular so he could be capable of huge improvement. I would not put people off backing him for the Derby now at any price.”
Right Fork, September 2019 (Lughill Blake x Fork Lightning)
“Just the sole run on her card at Limerick where she was second but showed terrific finishing pace. Bought for a reasonable price, she will be an out and out stayer and should have her first race soon.”
“The question is, can she cope with the top-class ones we already have in kennel: Aayamza Royale, Blueberry Bullet, Bombardier, Aayamza Dream, Antigua Lava? We certainly hope so!”
Race of the year I would say, well done ‘Lydia’ aka Aayamza Royale winning the Cesarewitch at Romford last night and even better news Jesses Sister, who took a nasty tumble in the Guys & Dolls, is fine this morning thankfully pic.twitter.com/JI5ICa3izd
— mark wallis (@wallis_mark) September 26, 2020
Sapphire to Claim Derby Gold?
Meanwhile, the dates for the 2022 Greyhound Derby have been announced. The £175,000 to-the-winner competition begins on May 19. Open to 192 greyhounds and staged at Towcester, the six-round competition will conclude on June 25.
Irish Greyhound Derby winner Susie Sapphire is the ante-post favorite at 20/1 with the best greyhound betting sites. A remarkable bitch, she won the Puppy Oaks, Oaks and Derby all in a single season and all under the age of two.
Toms The Best is the only greyhound to win both the English and Irish Greyhound Derby finals. He took the Irish race in 1997 and followed up in the English version at Wimbledon the following year.
