Bluejig Outlaw is the favorite to take the opening heat of the Arena Racing Company Stayers over 660 meters at Dunstall Park on Saturday evening. The Maxine Locke-trained greyhound has demonstrated strong form, most recently winning convincingly at Central Park. Having consistently competed against some of the top six-bend runners, Bluejig Outlaw is considered capable of leading from the front and maintaining the advantage throughout the race.
The Dunstall Park meeting features a competitively structured card that includes both the Arc Stayers, classified as a Category Two event, and the British Bred Puppy Cup, a Category One contest aimed at showcasing promising young British-bred greyhounds. The meet at Wolverhampton Racecourse marks the beginning of a busy schedule, with three consecutive Saturday night open-race events leading up to a special centenary sports meeting planned for July 24.
Among the notable runners in the British Bred Puppy Cup is Sean Parker’s Keefill Sequoia, a five-time winner who is expected to be a strong contender. Also highlighted is John Flaherty’s marathon runner, Greenwell Gypsy, returning to competition in a heat of the six-bend race, as well as Angie Kibble’s Eagles Respect.
Simultaneously, Monmore Stadium hosts its own high-profile open-race card in preparation for next month’s Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic and Gold Cup. Standout greyhounds here include Mark Wallis’ Armagh Daithi in the Ladbrokes.com 480-meter heat two and David Page’s Wise Tournament in heat three. Wallis also fields top sprinters Crafty Alejandro and Ballinakill Liam, the latter having recently secured victory in the Arc Silver Salver Final at Central Park. Other noteworthy participants are Mike Burton’s versatile pacer Carrick Scholsey and Kim Billingham Hine’s longer-distance specialist Droopys Poker.
In related developments, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has initiated the selection process for the venue that will host the 2027 Greyhound Derby and subsequent editions. Track promoters have been invited to submit expressions of interest. Mark Moisley, GBGB’s commercial director, noted the success of this year’s Derby at Towcester, thanking track manager Mike Davis and his team for their efforts. Moisley also emphasized the significance of the 2024 Derby, which will commemorate 100 years since the first running at White City in 1927. The earlier selection timeline aims to provide the chosen venue, along with owners and trainers, adequate time to make necessary preparations.