Queen Mother Memorial Cup & Dual Distance final

This weekend, Owlerton stadium in Sheffield hosted the Queen Mother Memorial Cup. The card also featured 4 supporting opens, one of which was the Dual Distance final over 500m. These opens starred some top greyhounds, including the likes of Links Maverick, Ela Maestro, Romeo to Victory and Sheffield trained Ballymac Archer. An incredible card to say the least! The crowds for the heats this year were great, with a packed upstairs, downstairs and a large crowd outside throughout.

Queen Mother Memorial

The Queen Mother Memorial Cup is a Cat 2 race over 660m. It was originally known as the Queen Mother Cup (1998 until 2003). However, after her passing the race became the Memorial Cup. The heats took place today (3rd March), with the final being held on the 10th of March (Mothers day).

Last year the final was won by Tom Heilbron’s Darbys Delight in a time of 39.65.

Heat 1

As the lids opened for the first heat, trap 1, Trewmount fury was quickest away however he was soon passed by Trap 5, Dubai Kid on the second bend, who later led the pack by 6 lengths up until the 5th bend. There was some trouble on the third and fourth bend allowing Dubai Kid to extend his lead. Trap 2, Ela Maestro, 3, Frankton Sal and 4, Pear drops were the worst affected by this, with the trio remaining at the back of the pack throughout. Trap 6, Hurry Up Jordan and 1, Trewmount Fury remained close behind the leader on the last 2 bends. Hurry up Jordan just got the win, passing Dubai Kid by 3/4 of a length on the line.

There is no video for this race due to trap 2, Ela Maestro going lame on the 5th bend. We wish him a speedy recovery

1st: Trap 6, Hurry Up Jordan (39.36)

Owned by Mr.I.Freeman and Mr.J.P.Lambe & trained by John Lambe (Perry Barr)

2nd: Trap 5, Dubai Kid (39.43)

Owned by Mr B.N.Owen & trained by Craig Marston (Monmore)

Heat 2

In the second heat, trap 3, Maximum security was withdrawn lame. Tom Heilbron’s Freedom Ellie ran as a reserve.

A first and second for Newcastle based Tom Heilbron in this heat. Coming out the traps, trap 6, Courtmac Duffy and trap 3, Freedom Ellie were the quickest away and from there it was a battle between the pair throughout. Sheffield trained Courtmac Duffy maintained a strong lead up until the 5th bend where Freedom Ellie soon passed by a number of lengths. Trap 2, Innfield Charm ran incredibly well to come second in this heat. She didn’t trap the best, and suffered a few bumps throughout causing her to drop to the back on the 5th bend. She powered down the home straight however, passing the group with ease and securing her place in the final.

1st: Trap 3, Freedom Ellie (39.51)

Owned by Mr.M.J.Dobson and Mr.D.M.Tallen & trained by Tom Heilbron (Newcastle)

2nd: Trap 2, Innfield Charm (39.96)

Owned by Link Kennels Syndicate & trained by Tom Heilbron (Newcastle)

Heat 3

Heat 3 was the slowest heat of the competition with the winner, Savana Heross, winning in a time of 39.70. It was also the messiest of the heats, with trap 4, Farneys Willie taking a tumble on the first bend, and lots of trouble occurring throughout. Thankfully Willie got up and ran on strongly.

This heat started with alot of trouble, leading to trap 4 taking a tumble. On the straight, trap 1, Savana Heross and Trap 2, Fridays Eske battled it out for the lead with the others in close pursuit. On the 3rd bend it was Fridays Eske who took the lead, avoiding the trouble. Back on the home straight, Savana heross overtook Fridays Eske near the line, beating him 1 ¼ lengths and recording a winning time of 39.70 for Towcester trainer Diane Henry. The rest of the dogs didn’t get a chance to feature in this race, as traps 1 and 2 led them by a number of lengths.

1st: Trap 1, Savana Heross (39.70)

Owned by Mr.K.A.Boothby & trained by Diane Henry (Towcester)

2nd: Trap 2, Fridays Eske (39.81)

Owned by Mr.J.J.Exley and Miss G.D.Tucker & trained by Ian Langford (Monmore)

Dual Distance Final

Alongside the queen mother memorial, Sheffield hosted the final of the dual distance final. Links Maverick was one of the dogs which made it through to this final despite “doing everything wrong” in the 480m heats according to trainer Tom Heilbron. Maverick went off the 1/3 favourite after his performance last week in the heats.

As the lids rose Links Maverick was slowly away and later challenged to the 1st bend alongside trap 4, Unreal Bruiser and trap 5, Newinn Larkin. Maverick managed to fend off the challenge of these, after the pair suffered a few bumps on the second bend. Maverick soon moved clear on the back straight and from there wasn’t any stopping him from there! A battle took place for the second and third positions, which were both taken by Diane Henry’s Burj Khalifa (Trap 6) and Savana Shay (Trap 2).

It wasn’t the only thing Links Maverick won on the day; the Tom Heilbron trained superstar picked up the standard distance performer of the year 2023 at the GBGB awards in the evening

1st: Trap 3, Links Maverick (28.91)

Owned by Mr.K.Heilbron, Mr.T.C.Heilbron, Mr.T.O.Rush and Mr.D.C.Wilson & trained by Tom Heilbron (Newcastle)

2nd: Trap 6, Burj Khalifa (29.31)

Owned by Mr.K.A.Boothby & trained by Diane Henry (Towcester)

3rd: Trap 2, Savana Shay (29.39)

Owned by Mr.K.A.Boothby & trained by Diane Henry (Towcester)