DERBY DELIGHT . . . the winner of the ‘Noggs’ Memorial final, Mr Loy, with the trophy as supporters and sponsors look on at the finish line. Front, centre, are Raymond’s ‘Noggs’ Noble’s widow Irene, centre, and her daughter Karen, kneeling. They are flanked by race promoters and Mr Loy’s trainers Mike Pearson and Paul Page
The three-year-old dog came from the same Carlisle kennels as Joint Account, which won the same competition at Halcrow Stadium last year.
He was entered by Border City owner-trainers Paul Page and Mike Pearson, who helped sponsor and promote the popular event.
It is dedicated to a well-known figure on the national greyhound racing circuit, the late Raymond ‘Noggs’ Noble, who raced dogs around the UK for more than 40 years but always remained a supporter of his local Gretna track.
Paul and Mike, who were both close friends of Raymond, expressed delight that for the second successive year one of their entries, the 4/5 shot, had won the final.
Said Paul: “The going on the track was good and suited Mr Loy. He’s on form and came through to win by three-quarters of a length. It was a great finish.”
Mike added: “We’ve had a great night and it was fantastic to see so many of Noggs’ family and friends coming through to watch the races and enjoy the buffet afterwards.”
Runner-up in the final was Star, a 3/1 bet, owned and trained by Davie Studholm of Abbeytown.
Meanwhile, there was a cross-border tussle in the last middle distance race of the evening.
Scots-dog Magic Dream, a three-year-old bitch, from Gretna regular Francis Hill, pulled away in the run-in to take the honours by more than two lengths from Mark Little’s Cumbrian dog Magic Pam.
RESULTS and STARTING PRICES
1st race (7.30) – 1, Zsa Zsa, trap 4, price 2/1; 2, Cobweb, 2, 5/2; distance 2 lengths; winning time 17.46 seconds.
2nd (7.45) – 1, Rachel’s Romeo, 5, 5/4; 2, Coalmor, 4, 2/1; .5; 17.53.
3rd (8.00) – 1, Cyclone, 5, 2/1; 2, Danny’s Dan, 6, 7/4; 2; 17.47.
4th (8.15) – 1, Real Fire, 1, 5/2; 2, Currock, 4, evens/fav.; 2.5; 17.02.
5th (8.30) – 1, Last, 2, 2/1; 2, Wiggy’s Sky, 5, 5/2; 4; 17.14.
6th (8.45) – 1, Real Fun, 1, 5/4; 2, Wiggy’s Black, 2, 5/2; 3.75; 17.26.
7th (9.00) – 1, Lucas, 2, 4/5; 2, Whack, 6, 2/1; a head; 17.01.
8th (9.15) – 1, Wispa, 3, 4/5; 2, Rosie, 2, 5/4; a head; 42.00.
9th (9.30) – 1, Becky, 6, 2/1; 2, Cat, 3, 5/2; 1.25; 5.97.
10th (9.45) – 1, Blackie, 6, 2/1; 2, Smack, 4, 2/1; .5; 29.11.
11th (9.55) – 1, Mr Loy, 5, 4/5; 2, Star, 3, 3/1; .75; 28.98.
12th (10.05) – 1, Magic Dream, 2, 5/2; 2, Magic Pam, 3, 5/2; 2.5; 29.17.
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