The 2002 William Hill Greyhound Derby took place during May and June with the final being held on 1 June 2002 at Wimbledon Stadium. The winner received £75,000.
Competition report
There were 173 entries for the 2002 Derby but one of the Britain's leading greyhounds Top Savings was lame and would miss the event, he had been quoted as a short 4-1 ante post favourite. Despite the loss of Top Savings trainer Charlie Lister and owner Ray White had brought Rapid Ranger out of retirement for an unprecedented third title attempt. The ante-post favourite was El Ronan at 12-1 followed by the Scottish Greyhound Derby first and second, Priceless Rebel and Santovita. In addition to Priceless Rebel trainer Paul Hennessy also sent over Irish Puppy Derby champion Rutland Budgie.
First round eliminations included Eclipse champion Bold Mossy and Rutland Budgie but Rapid Ranger won 22 and Santovita went fastest winning in 28.77 and entering the second round as the new favourite. The second round saw Rapid Ranger edge through after finishing third in his heat. Surprise eliminations included Santovita at odds of 1-4f, Vancouver Jet, Willie Go Fa, Occhi Gialli and Knockeevan King.
A third round heat contained Rapid Ranger, Priceless Rebel and Droopys Corleone and as the field rounded the second bend Priceless Rebel clipped the heels of the leader Rapid Ranger and fell impeding Rapid Ranger at the same time. Both were unfortunately knocked out and Rapid Ranger was retired to stud for a second time. In the quarter-finals Droopys Corleone was victorious in 28.84 with Star Ambition, Blue Gooner and Pilot Alert taking the other three heats. Seskin Robert found trouble and went out.
The first semi-final resulted in Crack Him Out beating Pilot Alert and Call Me Baby and in the second Pall Mall Stakes champion Windgap Java defeated Allen Gift and Blue Gooner. Droopys Corleone failed to make the final after finishing fourth.
Rank outsider Allen Gift led all the way in the final challenged by call Me Baby from the third bend. Blue Gooner showed early pace and Crack Him Out moved wide at the first bend ending the chances of Pilot Alert and Windgap Java.
Quarter finals
Heat 1 (May 21)PosName SP Time 1stStar Ambition7-4f29.172ndMagna Mint9-429.373rdLockup Firedice 4-129.514thBrother Jo 8-129.525thLarkhill Lo 5-129.64N/R Ballydaly Score
Heat 2 (May 21)PosName SP Time 1stDroopys Corleone 1-1f28.842ndAllen Gift 10-129.343rdFrisby Forte 5-229.364thBright Smile 50-129.585thLeam Chabang 25-129.646thBlonde Countess 4-129.65
Heat 3 (May 21)PosName SP Time 1stBlue Gooner4-1 29.212ndWindgap Java 4-129.273rdCall Me Baby 12-129.294thSanta Donato7-1 29.355thSeskin Robert11-10f 29.396thFionntra Seano 8-129.69
Heat 4 (May 21)PosName SP Time 1stPilot Alert 3-1cf29.032ndCrack Him Out3-1cf 29.193rdBrosna Mustang 5-129.214thHollinwood Chief6-1 29.315thTexan Fox 8-129.716thFast Fit Spikita3-1cf 30.23
Semi finals
First Semi-final (May 25)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trainer1st Crack Him Out 6-128.86 Clemenson2ndPilot Alert7-4jf29.12 Gibson3rdCall Me Baby 8-129.16Cahill 4thMagna Mint7-129.26 Draper5thLockup Firedice14-129.30 Mullins J6thStar Ambition7-4jf 29.56 Hurley
Second Semi-final (May 25)PosName of Greyhound SP Time Trainer1stWindgap Java 12-129.30 Miller2ndAllen Gift16-129.32Gardiner3rdBlue Gooner5-129.35Clemenson4thDroopys Corleone1-1f29.43Riordan5thBrosna Mustang10-129.516thFrisby Forte 9-229.57Soppitt
Final result At Wimbledon (over 480 metres): PositionName of GreyhoundBreedingTrapSectionalSPTimeTrainer1stAllen GiftIn Question- Raceline Claire55.1816-129.04Claude Gardiner (Hove)2ndCall Me BabyPopov - Masonbrook Annie65.248-129.10 Seamus Cahill (Wimbledon)3rdCrack Him OutCrack Off - Gan On Misty15.349-429.19Brian Clemenson (Hove)4thBlue GoonerStaplers Jo - Code Dancer45.215-129.25Brian Clemenson (Hove)5thPilot AlertRoanokee - Mystical Memory35.312-1f29.40Jimmy Gibson (Belle Vue)6thWindgap JavaLassa Java - Dysart Turnover25.325-129.46Cheryl Miller (Sittingbourne)
Distances ¾, 1, ¾, 2, ¾ (lengths) The distances between the greyhounds are in finishing order and shown in lengths. One length is equal to 0.08 of one second.
See also 2002 UK & Ireland Greyhound Racing Year
References