The 2017 Star Sports Greyhound Derby took place during June and July and the final was held on 1 July 2017 at Towcester Greyhound Stadium.
It was the first time since 1984 that the event was held away from Wimbledon Stadium and the first time in its history that it was held outside of London. The competition was sponsored by bookmaker Star Sports for the first time with a winner's prize of £175,000. The winner was Astute Missile who was the outsider at 28-1, his owner Geoff Hill won £175,000.
Final At Towcester (over 500 metres): PositionName of GreyhoundBreedingTrapSectionalRace commentSPTimeTrainer1stAstute MissileKinloch Brae - China Doll4 5.18VQAw,Bmp&Led3 28-1 28.92 Seamus Cahill (Hove)2ndTyrur ShayBig Daddy Cool - Black Eyed Boss55.28RanOn7-4 28.98 Patrick 'PJ' Fahy (Ireland)3rdClares RocketConfident Rankin - Lemon Madrid35.27EP,Bmp4 6-4f 29.35 Graham Holland (Ireland)4thMurrys ActTullymurry Act - Brave Meave 65.44VSAw 14-1 29.46 Kevin Boon (Yarmouth)5thDroopys AcrobatTullymurry Act - Droopys Blossom25.28 Blk2&38-1 29.60 Seamus Cahill (Hove)6thHiya ButtHondo Black - Hather For Pat 15.23Led1To3,Bmp,Bmp4 9-2 29.64 Hayley Keightley (Private)
Distances ¾, 4½, 1¼, 1¾, ½ (lengths) The distances between the greyhounds are in finishing order and shown in lengths. One length is equal to 0.08 of one second.
Race Report Astute Missile broke very well from the traps alongside Hiya Butt, who produced his trademark early pace, to lead from the first bend until the third bend. Astute Missile then forced his way inside Hiya Butt at the third bend, the latter received a small bump at this stage and then tired into last place. Astute Missile went on to win from a strong finishing Tyrur Shay and the previously unbeaten Clares Rocket finished third after failing to make the fast start that was expected of him.
Semi finals
First Semi Final (Jun 24, £5,000)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trainer1stHiya Butt 5-2jf29.17Keightley2ndDroopys Acrobat6-129.23Cahill3rdMurrys Act 10-129.25Boon4thDroopys Buick10-129.37Harrison5thBruisers Bullet5-2jf29.54Wallis6thForest Con11-229.68Cahill
Second Semi Final (Jun 24, £5,000)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trainer1stClares Rocket 10-11f28.83 Holland2ndTyrur Shay13-828.96Fahy3rdAstute Missile20-128.98Cahill4thSallows Ford50-129.25White5thSwithuns Brae9-129.42Cronin6thCoolavanny Mason10-129.56Buckley
Quarter finals
Heat 1 (Jun 20, £1,000)PosNameSP Time 1stClares Rocket13-8f28.992ndAstute Missile12-129.353rdBruisers Bullet 7-429.694thShaneboy Freddie 13-229.785thFweshfromthesesh 7-129.896thBallinakil Clare 10-129.96
Heat 2 (Jun 20, £1,000)PosName SP Time 1stSwithins Brae 9-229.292ndForest Con 2-129.633rdDroopys Buick 5-4f29.664thNewinn Blitz 20-129.695thCrossfield Hugo 20-130.136thCarn Brea 7-130.16
Heat 3 (Jun 20, £1,000)PosName SP Time 1stDroopys Acrobat4-1 29.022ndSallows Ford 12-129.283rdMurrys Act 4-129.494thDanzey Exception5-2jf 29.555thCable Bay6-1 29.976thPacey Bambi 5-2jf30.01
Heat 4 (Jun 20, £1,000)PosName SP Time 1stTyrur Shay 4-5f29.022ndHiya Butt3-1 29.073rdCoolavanny Mason 6-129.094thAirport Jumbo50-1 29.335thJaytee Jet 9-229.366thSlaheny King25-1 30.05
See also 2017 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
References