Last week’s Trainers Championship was the perfect example of a sporting climax. Mark Wallis took home the title with a last-gasp victory in the final race of the evening, beating fierce rival Charlie Lister by two points.
Wallis’ star of his kennels and Derby favourite Eye Onthe Storm crossed the line in front with Lister’s runner Tyrur Speedy back in fourth place. As Lister’s runner needed to finish in the top two to secure the Championship, the title was heading back to Suffolk for the fourth time in six years.
Writing in his weekly blog Wallis expressed how exciting the night’s action had been.
“To say the night swung back and forth like a demented pendulum is an understatement,” the champion trainer said. “One thing for sure is that only after the event did we realise what scintillating and compulsive television the night had produced giving sponsors Betfair something you could only write in a script.”
It really was a pulsating night of top-class greyhound racing, and Wallis gave a special mention to the connections of Eye On the Storm following his last gasp victory.
“As we made our way to the podium, not only for Eye Onthe Storm's victory but to lift the Trainers Championship trophy, I don't think anyone was more delighted than Eye Onthe Storm's owner John Keefe who three years earlier had seen his Eye Onthe Veto get beat in the last leg at Hall Green which meant victory for Charlie Lister.
“This time the sheer delight was there for all to see.”
Wallis, whose team of dogs was missing 2009 Derby winner Kinda Ready, had been spreading the word around the circuit prior to the championship that this was going be his year. The trainer had tipped up his team to pick up the prize in his previous blog and the punters had obviously latched onto his words.
“I told everyone last year we were going to beat Charlie's team at Sheffield only to see us completely annihilated.
“Our burning ambition to conquer our biggest rival on the track has been there since the humbling Sheffield defeat and yes we wanted it big time.
“The title was back with us signalling the start of some huge celebrations both at the Yorkshire venue and across the country with our huge army of supporters who had backed us to land the prestigious event.”
Wallis also revealed that he and his successful team will not be resting on their laurels, as they look to continue their fantastic season.
“It's incredible to think that Imperial Kennels now holds not only both Trainer titles but the Derby, St Leger and William Hill Classic crowns. How we can ever top this I don't know but it will be fun trying!”
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