Hopes for a first locally trained winner of the Premier Greyhound Racing Classic in a decade remain alive after Carl Jackson qualified both of his entrants for Friday’s semi-finals.
Droopys Sort and Ballymac Deboss are both less than 30 seconds from advancing to Sunderland Stadium’s showpiece competition final worth £20,000 to the winner on November 21.
The pair finished third in their respective heats on Friday night and have been drawn apart in the semi-finals where the first two greyhounds from each race will progress to the highly anticipated final.
Carl – based in County Durham – grew up attending the Classic and has fond memories of the competition, namely Loughteen Blanco’s triumph in 2012 and Allowdale Bruno’s success for the late Harry Williams six years later.
It’s a pinch yourself moment for Carl to be flying the flag for Sunderland in the Classic, and he hopes to do the track and local racegoers proud come Friday night.
“It’s really pleasing for both of them to qualify from the heats,” said Carl.
“Droopys Sort was fortunate. He completely missed his break but got a clear run to finish third and now we stand a chance of reaching the Classic final.
“He’s drawn in trap three which isn’t ideal, he’ll need to be much quicker away from the boxes this week to progress.
“Ballymac Deboss ran really well, anything extra from here really is a bonus but a similar run and he’ll be there or thereabouts.”
Other greyhounds of note to qualify for the semifinals include East Anglian Derby and Steel City Cup champion Romeo Steel, ARC Puppy Trophy hero Slingshot Poppy and last year’s finalists Unanimous Leon and Coolavanny Mercy.
All four greyhounds have been drawn together in a blockbuster third semi-final, which includes dual Category One finalist Madabout Peck and English Greyhound Derby semi finalist No Better Feelin.
Carl added: “The Classic is what every greyhound trainer in the north-east wants to win, but trainers are travelling from as far away as Essex to win it this year.
“This is our Derby, and to be flying the flag for Sunderland in the semi-finals really is a dream. It’s been a decade since a trainer attached to the track won the Classic, so we’ll give it a good go!”
Tickets for semifinals and finals night of the Premier Greyhound Racing Classic on November 14 and November 21 are available online via www.sunderland-greyhounds.co.uk.
Doors open on both nights at 6.15pm, with the first race off at 7.08pm.
Premier Greyhound Racing Classic semifinal draw:
Semi Final One: Salacres Senan, Bouncing Monarch, Droopys Sort, Carrick Fergie, Sunnyside Gurkha, Santas Amigo.
Semi Final Two: Deerjet Rocket, Bockos Buster, Sunnyside Jayden, Ballymac Deboss, Whitehills Titan, Brindle Bully.
Semi Final Three: Romeo Steel, No Better Feelin, Unanimous Leon, Slingshot Poppy, Madabout Peck, Coolavanny Mercy.
