Hollow Man Can Show More Champion Qualities at Romford
Regarding consistency, few greyhounds can match the imperious Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes’ favourite Hollow Man. He set a new track record in the heats of Romford greyhound track’s £20,000 showpiece race and followed up that performance with another stunning display in the semi-finals.
Derek Knight’s charge will undoubtedly line up as the favourite in the final at 8.54 pm on Friday. It will take an almighty effort from one of his rivals to lower his colours. Hollow Man is a sensational greyhound in every way and has shown no signs of any weaknesses in the event so far.
Hollow Man has not seen a rival at Romford, and he should take his winning sequence to nine in the Champion Stakes final. ©Steve Nash
Moving smoothly in a trial over the 575-metre Champion Stakes course early in September, Hollow Man immediately took to Romford – a track that can be tricky to handle for the inexperienced. In three races at the Essex track since, the only other greyhounds he has seen have been in the rearview mirror! He has improved by five lengths on the clock in that period.
His success in the semi-finals made it eight straight wins for the Hove-trained star. The only time he has been beaten in this country was on his debut at the end of July. Since then, he has been poetry in motion and relentless in galloping his rivals into the ground.
A handy 33-kilos, Hollow Man starts quickly, possesses the early speed of a sprinter, stays on strongly and glides around the bends without breaking his ultra-smooth rhythm. No negatives are to be found in Hollow Man, and he should land the valuable prize for connections with the minimum of fuss.
Surfing the leading greyhound betting sites shows the best odds available about Friday’s Champion Stakes finalists are: 4/6 Hollow Man, 5/1 Ninja Kerry, 6/1 Droopys Google, 10/1 Havana Top Note, 12/1 Ballintee Noshow, 14/1 Whyaye Man.
A First for That Man Knight?
Hollow Man started his career at Dundalk in Ireland. After two moderate sprints there, he was stepped up to Shelbourne Park’s 480-metre trip, where he first caught the eye with a couple of strong-running efforts, winning once.
𝗣𝗚𝗥 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀
Semi-Final 2
🥇 T4 Hollow Man 🥈 T2 Ballintee Noshow
⏱ 34.74sec
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 ⬇️https://greyhoundbet.racingpost.com/#advanced-video
(18+ begambleaware) pic.twitter.com/p7SIwwbK1d
— @RPGreyhounds (@RPGreyhounds) October 13, 2023
He joined Knight in June and rattled off a five-timer at Hove in August to establish himself as a greyhound of the highest calibre. The step up to Romford’s 575-metre trip was a master stroke, and Hollow Man is one step away from getting his spot in the history books.
Trainer Mark Wallis has won the Champion Stakes four times and is represented by Whyaye Man in Friday’s showdown. Last year’s winning trainer, Liz McNair, sends out Havana Top Note. Nathan Hunt (Droopys Google), Maxine Locke (Ballintee Noshow) and Belinda Green (Ninja Kerry), as well as Hollow Man’s trainer, Derek Knight, attempt to take the prize for the first time.
Champion Stakes History and Recent Winners
The Champion Stakes was first held at Wimbledon in 1947 and remained there until 1973 when it was discontinued. The Coral owned Romford Stadium reintroduced the event 15 years later when it was won by Dads Flier, who was based at the nearby iconic Walthamstow under the care of trainer John Sherry.
| Year | Greyhound | Winning Time | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Warzone Tom | 34.89 | Liz McNair (Unattached) |
| 2021 | Night Time Danny | 34.94 | Steve Rayner (Henlow) |
| 2020 | Desperado Dan | 34.93 | Patrick Janssens (Central Park) |
| 2019 | Aayamza Express | 34.90 | Mark Wallis (Henlow) |
| 2018 | Bombers Bullet | 34.97 | Mark Wallis (Henlow) |
| 2017 | Murrys Act | 35.15 | Kevin Boon (Yarmouth) |
| 2016 | Ascot Woodie | 35.40 | John Mullins (Yarmouth) |
| 2015 | Patchys Kerry | 35.58 | Mark Wallis (Towcester) |
| 2014 | Millwards Master | 35.02 | Paul Young (Romford) |
Hawkfield Can Fly in the Standard
There are three additional finals on Friday, all can be watched on live streaming betting sites. The £5,000 to the winner Coral Romford Standard Trophy Final over the track’s 400-metre course at 8.38 pm is second on the bill. Hawkfield Ozark, winner of the £12,500 ARC Laurels at Perry Barr in April and a finalist in three Category 1 finals since, is the one to beat here.
An outstanding athlete, he recorded the fastest time of the year in the heats of this event, and a similar run would see Hawkfield Ozark win with plenty to spare. He will need to be sharp at the start if he is going to make the turn in front.
Aero Convey and Chelms Gask seem sure to test Hawkfield Ozark early. But his draw in trap one is very much to his advantage, and he should enjoy the clearest run to the first bend. He is predicted to slip clear from that point.
The best prices for the Coral Standard Trophy are: 8/11 Hawkfied Ozark, 11/2 Chelms Gask, 6/1 Whitewood Lenny, 17/2 Billis Blazer, 12/1 Aero Convey, 16/1 Stormy News.
The Maiden Stayers Final over 575 metres at 8.17 pm looks highly competitive. Ballsy Bullet is narrowly preferred to heat winners Droopys Ticktock and Dapper Mac. Earlier, the 400 metres Maiden Final at 7.56 pm can go the way of the fastest heat winner, Pure Province, who is ideally drawn in trap six.
