Eye Onthe Storm remains on track to land his first major competition of the year, and will this week return to familiar territory at Hall Green where he is the current track record holder across the 480m. Storm’s record time is 28.03secs and trainer Mark Wallis is confident that he should deliver on the track even without a trial run ahead of this Good Friday’s opener for the Stanjames Blue Riband Cup. Is that a wise decision?
The ante post markets have certainly suggested that they have complete faith in Wallis, as they rank Storm a 7-2 favourite. Storm produced an electrifying performance last week at Doncaster, a race which saw him win by over two lengths to crown Wallis the new Betfair Trainers’s Champion.
Trainer Charlie Lister was also present at Doncaster last week and missed out on the prestigious title by two points. Lister also faced some bad news last night as Jordansoilution (1-2 favourite) made an early exit from the Bettor.com Scottish Derby. Will things get better for Lister?
Well, Lister certainly took advantage of the opportunity to trial his dogs, and gave them the chance to flex their muscles across the Birmingham based track on Monday.
Fear Zafonic clocked a best-of-night time of 28.21secs, whilst kennelmate Farloe Lee and Bandicoot Tipoki also ran pretty well. Zafonic can be backed at 6-1, and despite being awarded Greyhound of the Year has had to get used to accepting second best over Storm.
Zafonic’s last race against Storm was in November at the Betfred Eclipse final which saw Storm prevail and Zafonic land fourth. A victory for Zafonic would certainly shake up the odds for this year’s Derby and would also provide Lister with a much needed victory if he is to land the Champion trainer title at the end of the year by the GBGB.
Dalcash Scolari got the better of Zafonic in his last race and will also be part of Wallis’s pack along with Jogadusc Ace and Eye Eye Pickle.
Stan James’ head of PR Charlie McCann said in the Racing Post: "We’re absolutely delighted with the entries for what is, arguably, the best four-bend competition seen so far this year.
This rivalry between the top two trainers in the nation is reason enough to be excited about the event, although the likes of Lenson Bolt, Westmead Osprey and Head Iton Ellis will also play its part.
The field of 36 will go all out on Friday in the opener of six heats. The sky sports televised £7,000 final is scheduled to take place on 13th April. Who will prevail?
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