Track specialist Romeo Command won a second Category One competition of his career on Monday night when landing the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse at Nottingham Stadium.
Trained by Patrick Janssens, the brindled three-year-old scooped the £20,000 first prize and led home a one-two-three for the Suffolk kennel with Slick Sentinel finishing second and Romeo Steel in third.
His three-length win followed up on last year’s success in the BGBF British Breeders Stakes final at Nottingham and marked a first Eclipse victory for owner and breeder Dave Firmager.
Having finished runner-up in the English Derby, Kent Derby and Blue Riband since his last Category One triumph, the victory meant a lot to Dave who has been a regular at his local track Nottingham for years.
“He’s performed really well at Nottingham and has been a very consistent greyhound for us,” said Dave. “His win-to-run ratio is phenomenal, and he’s been a fantastic greyhound.
“Having trap one worked in our favour as (Romeo) Steel paced up besides Wicky Ned going into the first bend which allowed Command to pinch a gap up the inside.
“We’ve been coming to Nottingham for years. I don’t especially have aspirations to win certain competitions but if there was one it would be the Eclipse. It’s our local track and their biggest race of the year, so it’s nice to win it.”
Romeo Command’s victory confirmed a tremendous trio of Category One wins for trainer Patrick this year who won the East Anglian Derby and Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks in September and October respectively with star bitch Druids Say Go.
He said: “He (Romeo Command) is a clever greyhound with great track craft and is a credit to our kennel.
“He seems to know where the gaps will appear and is a great all-rounder. He’s running so well so I’ll sit down with Dave and we’ll work out a plan moving forwards.”
Favourite Wicky Ned for Ashington-based Jimmy Fenwick finished fourth while Antigua Kestrel and Sambar Kian were fifth and sixth respectively.
Other big-race winners on the night included Crafty Pardiso for Nottingham trainer Colin Wilton in the Arena Racing Company Ladies 480m Trophy Final while Magical Bertie won the Arena Racing Company Maiden Standard Trophy Final.
No Better Feelin for Chris Fereday won the night’s other feature race, the Arena Racing Company Gents 480m Trophy Final.
Meanwhile Jenningsbet Select Stayers champion Vale Bluebell won at her home track again when beating Salacres Cath by half-a-length in an exciting Gone To The Dogs – Live! Stakes over 730m for trainer Jill Llewellin.
Peter Holland also won one of the night’s eight Open Races when Velvet Madrid won the Greyhound Star Trophy.
Greyhound racing continues at Nottingham Stadium on Monday and Friday evenings with tickets, trackside deals and restaurant packages available to book online.
The stadium’s Christmas menu will be served every Monday and Friday evening building up to the big day with a four-course meal, drink, race card and admission included in the stadium’s restaurant package.
