Central Park trainer Paul Donovan won his first category one competition in 15 years when Runaway Dior scooped the £10,000 Brighton Belle at Hove on Saturday night.
The two-year-old black bitch completed a solo trial at the Sittingbourne venue before being marked as a 66-1 outsider for Hove’s showpiece competition.
A trademark electric start from trap six earned her a three-length lead at the first turn before she held off Seamus Cahill’s Dark Madam and Arena Racing Company Kent Plate finalist Queen Shakira to land the top prize.
The win was made even more special for owners Steve Lamar and John Wales who were both hospitalised ahead of the final. Steve was discharged on Friday and managed to watch the race live trackside, while John celebrated from his bed at the Princess Royal Hospital in Sussex.
Incredibly, neither Steve nor John knew one another had been admitted to the same hospital with separate health issues. Only a chance meeting on Tuesday morning meant the pair had something else to focus on other than Runaway Dior’s Brighton Belle final appearance.
“I thought I saw John in the corridor of the hospital,” said Steve. “I rang his number and only then found out we were both in overnight – what are the chances!
“Saturday’s result gave us both a huge pick-me-up. John had to remain in hospital but I’m sure he would’ve been cheering loudly.
“It was an outstanding performance. Paul (Donovan) knows how to get a greyhound in perfect condition and that’s exactly what he did with her. She flew out of the traps and didn’t look back, we’re so thrilled.”
The result provided trainer Paul with his biggest winner since Droopys Bradley won the St Leger at Wimbledon in 2010.
He qualified for the £20,000 Arena Racing Company Kent Derby final in 2023 with Asbo Lenny, but Saturday’s result might well have unearthed a new kennel star.
“It was a fantastic result – our biggest win for years,” said Paul. “We knew it was within her talent to win the race and she ran on strong at the finish to win.
“Our plan worked out perfectly and I’m so thrilled for her owners Steve (Lamar) and John (Wales).
“The 515m trip is the upper end of her limit, but we’ll take a look at the calendar and piece a plan together for the summer – the Pall Mall at Oxford could be one for her.”
Greyhound racing continues at Central Park meanwhile on Saturday evenings with the first of 12 races off at 6.37pm.
