People’s champion Jonny Whiskers will look to defend his Premier Greyhound Racing Classic crown at Sunderland Stadium when the Category One competition begins on Friday night.
First held in 2007, the Premier Greyhound Racing Classic is Sunderland Stadium’s most prestigious competition over the venue’s 450-metre trip with winning prize money boosted to £20,000 this year from £12,500.
This year’s competition is open to 36 of the country’s fastest greyhounds with six qualifying heats held tonight (November 1) before the semi finals on November 8 and the £20,000 final on November 15.
Trained by County Durham based Savva Roberts, Jonny Whiskers brought the house down when winning last year’s Classic in front of scores of adoring connections.
He has since finished second in the Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup and won four Open Races to take his career record in the UK to eight wins from only 20 runs.
Sunderland born and raised Savva believes this year’s Classic represents his biggest challenge to date, adding the competition has attracted its strongest line-up in more than a decade.
“This is our Derby,” said Savva. “Everyone connected to greyhound racing in the north east wants to win the Classic – it’s the biggest competition of the year at Sunderland Stadium.
“It’s his (Jonny Whiskers) main target, but this year’s competition is of such high quality so we are up against it.
“He’s in good form and runs the Sunderland track very well which is a big advantage for us. He has a huge fanbase so fingers crossed we can qualify past the first round and give ourselves a chance of reaching the final again.”
Jonny Whiskers isn’t the only greyhound Savva has running in the competition.
The Silver Maiden winning trainer also runs exciting newcomer Stonepark Hoffa in Heat One and Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat finalist Tonelagee in Heat Five.
The first three greyhounds to finish each of the evening’s six heats will advance to the following Friday’s semi finals.
Savva added: “Stonepark Hoffa is a very fast greyhound, but he’s been drawn in a really competitive heat.
“Of course Category One competitions are never easy, but this is genuinely the best competition to be held at Sunderland in over a decade.
“Tonelagee has the perfect draw and will be spot on for the race. He’s trialled well and runs fresh, hence why we gave him a week off last week. He has a fair chance of making the final.”
Garry Nash, Managing Director of Premier Greyhound Racing, added: “We’re really pleased to add Sunderland Stadium’s Classic to our premier event schedule.
“This year’s competition has attracted so many stars and we wish all runners and their connections the very best of luck.”
Other greyhounds of note entered include Romford Puppy Cup champion Fire and Ice, BGBF British Bred Puppy Cup winner Romeo Cypher and multiple Category One winner Links Maverick plus Pall Mall hero Aero Sacundai, BGBF British Breeders’ Stakes winner Acomb Felix and Untold Ruble – who won the Arena Racing Company Puppy Cup at Sunderland in June.
Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup champion Swift Silly also features, running in Friday’s final heat.
The heats of the 2024 Premier Greyhound Racing Classic at Sunderland Stadium take place on Friday, November 1. Doors open at 6.15pm with the first of 12 races on the night starting at 7.08pm.
Tickets are available online or can be purchased on the door.
2024 Premier Greyhound Racing Classic heats:
Heat One: Wraysbury Katie, Stonepark Hoffa, Fire and Ice, Romeo Cypher, Acomb Johnny, Sunnyside Termo.
Heat Two: Oscar the Grouch, Links Maverick, Unanimous Leon, Droopys Manowar, Acomb Irene, Jeakers Man.
Heat Three: Aero Pattika, Aero Sacundai, Tromora Supreme, Acomb Felix, Coolavanny Mercy, Stormy News.
Heat Four: Romeo Crusade, Untold Ruble, Headford Sonny, Droopys Prefect, Jonny Whiskers, Cinderella Tell.
Heat Five: Lion Heart, Getup Me Champ, Swift Underwater, Tonelagee, Madabout Peck, Laughil Larry.
Heat Six: Droopys Bucko, Untold Euro, Bramble Linton, On the Nose, Swift Silly, Brindle Bully.
