Luck will need to be on the side of Tom Heilbron if he is to win a first Arena Racing Company Grand Prix title at Sunderland Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.
The Trimdon trainer has qualified two kennel stars – Ballymac Sargie and Droopys Cardi – for Friday’s showpiece race which is worth £12,500 to the winner and headlines a sparkling 12-race card.
Both greyhounds are joined by four equally proven runners, with Scotland’s John Flaherty represented by Greenwell Bolt while Suffolk-based champion trainer Mark Wallis runs Newinn Cloud, Bombay Nutty and odds-on favourite Vhagar.
The race will represent familiar territory for the more experienced of Tom’s two runners as Ballymac Sargie finished sixth in last year’s final and returns for his second crack at landing a Category One title.
Realistic
Droopys Cardi, meanwhile, started life as an A4 grader at Perry Barr, and has since climbed the ranks to compete at the sport’s highest level.
Despite being proud to qualify both runners for Friday’s big race, Tom is remaining realistic about the chances of his two star stayers.
“It’s a really tough final on paper,” said Tom.
“Greenwell Bolt has proven himself to be a very capable competition greyhound, and Mark Wallis’ trio speak for themselves.
“But at the same time, I’m not saying our two aren’t without a chance.
“Ballymac Sargie loves Sunderland and to qualify him for the Grand Prix final two years running is a great achievement.
“He’s won a Category Two competition since and if he broke well from the boxes and got his nose in front he’d definitely have a chance.
“And I’d like to think he’ll improve from last week too as we gave him a decent rest before this competition started.
“Droopys Cardi I guess is the surprise package. She’s been running out of her skin recently and I’m thrilled she’s made the final. It’s a tough ask, but you never know.”
Tickets for the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Grand Prix final at Sunderland Stadium on Friday, April 17, are available online from £10 via www.sunderland-greyhounds.co.uk.
Doors open at 5.30pm, with the first of 12 races on the night off at 6.23pm.
ARC Grand Prix final draw: Newinn Cloud, Droopys Cardi, Ballymac Sargie, Vhagar, Bombay Nutty, Greenwell Bolt.
READ MORE: British and Irish Lions hero Mike Burton celebrates second major greyhound win
