Group 1 National Derby 2025: runner-by-runner preview & tips

National Derby betting preview & tips

This Saturday night at the Group 1 National Derby will be run and won and another greyhound will enter the realms of immortality. It is one of the biggest races on the calendar for the male greyhounds looking to go on to a stud career at the end of their racing career.

The following is a runner-by-runner of the big race.

Can Zipping Kristoff win the National Derby?

Zipping Kristoff did a great job off a tough box eight in his heat. He had to use plenty of petrol to cross form box eight and rail under in the early stage before being a sitting shot for late. Take note that was his first 500m runs since September last year, so he is bound to be improved by the run. Box one is a massive plus, and he might just be able to lead off this box and be a good value hope with the leading greyhound bookmakers.

Can West Rock Casey win the National Derby?

West Rock Casey was superb in his heat, beginning well enough to hold the fence and then defying all comers. He will need something special to be leading in this race and even then, he will need to go faster than he did in his heat. He is in the final, but it would be the Cinderella story if he could win for Mary Hughes.

Can Paw Oswald win the National Derby?

A very talented Victorian who began well off a horrible box six draw in his heat, but took forever to run past Mark to Market before almost getting run down by the flying Zig Zag Man. He draws much better in box three but ran wide at the first turn last week which is a real concern against this field. He will have trouble with the nine-dog drawn outside him now and is a place chance with .

Can Mark To Market win the National Derby?

Mark To Market is an early-flying machine who has led at everyone of his seven starts to date and he looks like the leader of this race as well. While he is capable of a 5.30sec first section, its his last section that is the query getting run down by both Paw Oswald and Zig Zag Man in the heat. At double-figure odds, he is worth an each-way ticket because there is a real hop of a jam up behind him.

Can Zig Zag Man win the National Derby?

There is no doubt this boy is the most talented greyhound in the race, yet he finds new and different ways to get beaten in his races. He had no right to qualify for this final after beginning moderately in the heat and getting flattened at the first turn yet picked himself up and showed his class to almost run Paw Oswald down. He draws horribly again in box five but just may get a dream trail early from Mark to Market who now takes box four and if he gets an ounce of luck, could easily destroy this field, such is his talent. With luck, he is the dog to beat.

Can Ritza Benji win the National Derby?

Ritza Benji is another that had no right to be here in the final after getting squeezed back to the tail soon after the start in his heat before powering down the back straight and running Trio Of Clowns to a length. He draws terribly in box six in the final and while he is a punchers chance, he will need everything to go his way and will start big odds with .

Can Jungle Johnny win the National Derby?

Jungle Johnny was superb in his heat after missing the kick and finding trouble early before having to head to the rails looking for runs. He really started to motor home from the 720m boxes, and his run home time was the best of the night by far. Box seven is the concern, as he is only a moderate beginner and from out there may find trouble in the run to the first turn. With a personal best of 29.46, if he gets any luck in running, he will be right in the finish.

Can Happy Bandit win the National Derby?

Happy Bandit began well enough but couldn’t get across West Rock Casey and had a two-dog war almost the full 520m before getting beaten a neck on the line. It will be a tough ask from out in box eight to get across this field and subsequently he may find trouble from this box. He will also need a new personal best if he is to win. He is in NSW’s premier kennel but will probably start the roughie of the field.

National Derby 2025 selections & best bets – Wentworth Park


2025 National Derby Best Bet – Wentworth Park Race 7 – 18/1/25

National Futurity Best Bet

Race 7 – SilkZig Zag Man (5)

Form: 32112 | Career: 8 4-2-1 | Trainer: Sydney Swain

$3.60 with Picklebet


Greyhound Racing Tips


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