DAZL ROLEX, trained by Ricky Holloway for Tony Brealey, Roger Cearns and his breeder Dolores Ruth, is the Time Greyhound Nutrition Greyhound of the Month winner for February after his Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket success at Crayford.
A November 2021 son of Superior Panama and Razldazl Mya, Dazl Rolex lined up as the youngest finalist in the £20,000 feature but a strong-running effort saw him catch Liz McNair’s Havana Top Note close home for a length victory to land a local victory in the 50th running of the famous competition.
In winning the award, voted for by members of the Greyhound Writers’ Association, Dazl Rolex edged out fellow nominees Allowdale Cazoo (Nathan Hunt), Bubbly Inferno (Paul Young), Churchfield Syd (Richard Rees), Clona Curly (Diane Henry), Garfiney Blaze (Mark Wallis), King Capaldi (Liz McNair), and Links Maverick (Tom Heilbron).
Time Greyhound Nutrition’s Willie Rigney congratulated connections and welcomed another top-class winner of the monthly award which his company, a leading greyhound feed supplier, have backed since the turn of the year. Signet Goofy claimed the January honour after winning the Blue Riband at Towcester.
Rigney was also delighted to see Ireland well represented given Dolores Ruth bred and part-owns Dazl Rolex – and particularly enjoyed seeing pictures of a FaceTime call from Ruth to Ricky Holloway and the winner during the presentation at Crayford.
“That was a great moment and picture – and pretty much went viral,” said Rigney. “It just seemed a great occasion and one which everyone enjoyed, which is what it’s all about.
“Well done to Dazl Rolex and his connections. He really is a worthy winner of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Greyhound of the Month winner for February and, living up to his name I suppose, definitely timed his challenge right at Crayford to win the Jacket!”
Crayford racing manager Danny Rayment, who presented connections with the trophy on the day, said he was delighted to see a local champion lift the Category One prize on a major anniversary for the Golden Jacket, which this year was staged on a Saturday afternoon for the first time at the track following the change of racing schedules.
He said: “For years the Golden Jacket was a staple of Saturday mornings here, but we’ve been racing on Saturday afternoons since the turn of the year – and the crowds have been superb. We had a really good turnout for the heats, semis and final of the Golden Jacket – and to see a local runner win was the icing on the cake.
“Not since Patsy Cusack’s Walk The Line in 2007 had a Crayford-trained dog win the Jacket so well done to Ricky (Holloway), his assistant Jamie (Mavrias) and the rest of the team – not forgetting the owners who are big names in the sport but you could still see how much winning the Golden Jacket meant to them. It was a great day and great to see Dazl Rolex picking up the Greyhound of the Month award.”