Seamus Cahill trained Live Annie looks set to miss out on the upcoming Coral Sussex Stakes, despite being the fastest over the same distance this year. The greyhound who achieved victory with a time of 29.68 at Hove now looks set to miss the race, choosing instead to focus on the bitch’s event that concludes on the same evening. Cahill still faces a decision regarding Live Annie, along with other prized assets Banabane and Ballymac Lyster.
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Cahill currently trails 2015 Hove Champion Jason Heath by twenty-two winners, although he does hold a commanding lead in the track’s open race table. Heath himself has a strike rate of 16% having sent out 226 graded winners, while Cahill’s thirty-six open winners have been amassed by nineteen different runners. 2015 Hove champion trainer Jason Heath has a lead of 22 graded winners over closest rival Seamus Cahill, though Cahill has a commanding lead of the track’s open race table. Heath, who has the track’s biggest kennel strength has sent out 226 graded winners to date for a strike rate of 16%.
Despite greyhound racing having failed to thrive over recent years, with the UK now having under 30 tracks from a previous 77, events such as the Sussex Stakes are certainly still enjoyed by vast numbers of race goers. 3.2 million attended over 5,750 3.2 million at over 5,750 meetings in 2007 meetings last year, and the enjoyment of socializing with friends during a night at the dogs can certainly not be underestimated. With most venues now providing full catering facilities, including a fully stocked bar, having a drink and a bet on the dogs is a pastime enjoyed by many across the country.
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After dominating the first round at Hove, Oscar Whisky has found himself as the favourite for the race, with greyhound betting odds of 2/1 from bookmakers Coral. With five of Thursday’s Sussex Cup qualifiers having been timed within thirteen places of each other, it was Charlie Lister trained Oscar Whisky who showed his class to outlast his rivals. Lister’s prized asset was the 4/7 favourite with Coral pre-race, and he certainly relished the 515 metre track to come home two and a half lengths clear of Astra Prince in a time of 29.80. Oscar Whisky now looks set to exploit the competition in just over a weeks’ time, with Dorotas Tiger the second favourite for the Sussex Stakes with relatively long odds of 11/2.
Along with Oscar Whisky and Dorotas Tiger, Calco Flyer is another name who could well be worth backing for the Sussex Stakes. Despite 10/1 odds from Coral in their greyhound betting market, having claimed victory in the second semi-final recently, the Mark Wallis trained hound showed his credentials, while those around him at Hove struggled. The Sussex Stakes cup final takes place on the 27th July, with a number of competitors looking to upset the odds in Brighton. So why not get yourself down to the track yourself to enjoy all of which greyhound racing has to offer, whilst making full use of the betting and refreshments on offer.
