1969 GREYHOUND DERBY

This race was run at the White City.

EARLY ROUNDS

The previous years ante post favourite, Yellow Printer, was once again made favourite to land the spoils but, once again was to prove costly to follow. It was down to an Irish dog, Sand Star,who was owned by Irishman Hamilton Orr (although kennelled in England at Barbara Tomkins) to set the pulses racing with some spectacular trials and then he won his first round heat in a sparkling 28.82. albeit after some crowding behind enabled him and Kilbelin Style to go clear. It was unfortunate for the competition that the 3 most fancied dogs were drawn together in round 2, and it was at this point that Yellow Printer met his fate. However, such a result seemed unlikely around the first bend with Kilbelin and Yellow a good 6 lengths clear of Sand Star. Such was the greyhounds pace and tracj craft that he began to rail and to eat into their lead. Down the home straight he finished fast, caught Kilbelin on the line and Yellow Printer was denied the third qualifying spot.

SEMI-FINALS

In the first semi-final there was a tremendous pile up and it was the trap 1 dog Ploverfield Dan, at 11/2, who was to benefit most. He led around the first bend, surprisingly drifted wide and continued to lead until the home straight. It was left to Hard Held (trap 2) and Blackwater Five to chase him up until the six dog Petrovitch joined the action around the final 2 bends. In an exciting final sprint for the line Hard Held got up by a short head, in 29.26, from Petrovitch with Ploverfield Dan a neck back in third.

In the second semi-final Kilbelin Style was once again pitched against Sand Star. Sand Star was made the 5/4 favourite but it was Kilbelin who set the early pace and continued to lead until close to the line. The unbeaten Sand Star ran on strongly to win by a short head in 28.83 with Barrack Street, from the 4 box, claiming the third qualifying spot a length and a quarter back.

THE FINAL

Henry May provides his memories of the final, particularly poignant because it was the year he got married and he was delighted to take his wife to see the dog that he had managed to back ante post at longer odds than most. He claims that Sand Star was the most intelligent dog he ever saw race, knowing when to slow up and when to gain speed. Throughout his unbeaten run in the competition Henry cannot remember the dog once touching another greyhound, although Sand Star did find it difficult to win anywhere else other than the White City. His usual style of running was to come through the field, always seeming to make the right decision. However, on finals night, and much to the worry of his owner, he was drawn in the 4 box.Worries were somewhat waylaid when Sand Star broke 2 lengths clear and that's where he stayed, not allowing any other dog to challenge him.The final winning distance was 2 lengths from Kilbelin Style in a time of 28.76 and it was left to Ploverfield Dan to claim the third place a length and a half back.

Be the first person to provide an account of this final, or to have a picture of the winner, published on this page.  

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