There’s always fresh optimism at the start of a new year, and with January coming and going especially quickly this year, the greyhound calendar is now well into its busy Category One schedule. It’s always hard to tell who will turn up after the Christmas period, with form dipping in and out and the greyhound betting unpredictable. It will still take a few more weeks to really tell who has a shot at the big events like the English Greyhound Derby this year, but read on, as we discuss who comes out of January the most successful in terms of greyhound results.
Warzone Tom
The first Category One honors up for grabs every year comes in January’s Essex Vase. While the East End might not be as popular of a location as it used to be for greyhound racing, especially compared to the Midlands, Romford laid host to an entertaining final in which Liz McNair’s Warzone Tom battled to victory. He saw off Champion Stakes winner Night-Time Danny as well as Drumdoit Bombe, who certainly caught people’s attention under the guidance of trainer Paul Burr.
It was a great evening at Romford, one that took place alongside other heats, but manager Mark Arkell was certainly pleased with the race itself as well as the evening in general.
“It was a great night’s racing once again at Romford with our new maiden competition kicking off alongside the obvious highlight being the heats of the 2022 Coral Essex Vase and, as ever, was quality on show was top notch.” He said.
“We had a few surprises, but in the main, the races went to form and some popular performers and regular Romford winners were on show once again.”
Mark Wallis
It was another victory for the current Greyhound Trainer of the Year Mark Wallis. Having picked up the award for the 12th time, the 58-year-old set the tone for January early with some big victories throughout including the Suffolk Downs. The Lakenheath handler enjoyed a wonderful campaign last time out, but in order to replicate that and start another run of individual awards he’ll have to be consistent — after all, he had won Trainer of the Year for eight consecutive years before Patrick Janssens won his maiden title in 2020.
Patrick Janssens
Not only did the imperious Belgian trainer Janssens guide Fabulous Azurra to victory in the Blue Riband, but he will take great confidence in the form of Thorn Falcon.
The former ran a great race to build on his success over the festive period in the British Bred Derby at Sheffield, and Janssens praised both dogs for their efforts after the race, saying: “Overall Fabulous Azurra was quickest.
“She flew the traps and continues to impress, although it was great to see Derby Champion Thorn Falcon run another really solid race here at Towcester. Aussie Captain also looked back to his best, so all in all made it a pretty decent afternoon for Team Janssens.”
While Thorn Falcon may not have tasted victory at Towcester, he did post the fastest semi-final time which will stand him in great stead for the months ahead. The current English Greyhound Derby winner will be keen to regain his title come the summer and despite plenty of action happening between now and then, clocking up some fast time and building some good form can never be a bad thing.
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