Albert Draper’s legacy continues as his Eden Star shines preparing for the Puppy Derby at Wimbledon
Greyhound racing legend, Albert Draper may have demised but his legacy still continues as his greyhound, Eden Star, continues to flourish.
Preparing to run at the williamhill.com Puppy Derby at Wimbledon, he was running a solo on Wednesday, 6th July, where he covered a 273 meter distance in 16.10 seconds, setting a new track record for Sheffield.
He is now going to practice more at the Plough Lane circuit this coming week, according to trainer Barry Draper, son of Albert Draper.
An excited Barry Draper said, “We were very pleased with him considering it was first time round there”.
This track was alien for Eden Star who has had a very short career that began in May, almost a month before his owner, Draper’s, death.
He started his career at Sheffield, his mentor’s favourite track, on 19th May and won the very first time he ran a race. He outran Hes The Stig by five lengths in the 480 meter race and has since then won all the races he has ran.
On 29th June, he won the Nicol Alloys Monkey Stakes. This victory came just a day before Albert Draper’s funeral, earning him a speech in recognition of his talent by Trevor Draper at his father’s funeral.
Prior to this he had beaten Valentia Zig by 5 1/2 lengths in a 480 meter race at Sheffield in 27.62 seconds. This is his fastest time covering a 480 meter distance.
The williamhill.com Puppy Derby is a big break for this new comer who has never raced anywhere outside of Sheffield. He seems in good form for the Derby as he is capable of handling a 480 meter distance very well, as can be judged by his past performances.
However, he has never entered a competition as big as this, or faced a field as competitive since he will surely face a highly competitive field at Wimbledon.
The last competition he won was minor and so it is difficult to predict how he will perform at Wimbledon when not running solo.
Whether this star will continue to shine away or fade away as a shooting star, only the williamhill.com Puppy Derby will tell.
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