Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar heats set for Manukau (NZ) on Sunday
Greyhound racing enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar heats, scheduled to take place this Sunday over 779m at Auckland Greyhound Racing Club (AGRC) at Manukau.
This highly anticipated competition promises to deliver a captivating showcase of talent and fierce racing action, with last year's winner Know Keeper trying to defend his title.
As a key event on the greyhound racing calendar, the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar heats attracts the top New Zealand (NZ) stayers vying for a place in the final.
This year 14 of the 18 greyhounds going around in the two heats are New Zealand-bred stayers.
The heats will feature a lineup of talented greyhounds, each representing the dedication and training of their trainers and handlers.
The Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar heats hold historical significance, paying tribute to the memory of the Duke of Edinburgh while celebrating the sport of greyhound racing.
The Silver Collar was commissioned and donated by the late HRH Prince Phillip after the AGRC gifted him a greyhound, named Royal Commission, during the 1970 Royal Tour of New Zealand.
Prince Philip had raced numerous greyhounds in the United Kingdom (UK) winning the 1968 English Derby with Camira Flash.
It was just prior to the 1970 Royal tour of New Zealand when the AGRC, being aware of the Duke Of Edinburgh's involvement in greyhound racing, made an offer to gift a greyhound to him.
The offer was accepted by Prince Philip who advised the greyhound was to remain and race in New Zealand and direct all winnings won by the greyhound be forwarded to the New Zealand arm of the Duke Of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
This will be the 52nd running of the NZD$80,000 Group 1 staying event with the June 11 winner fleetingly wearing the prized solid silver collar for photograph opportunities.
The first running was held over 711m at the Kumeu Raceway in 1971 with Royal Commission finishing second.
The outcome of Sunday's two heats will determine which greyhounds advance to the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar final, with the four greyhounds first past the finish line in each heat progressing.
Included is the Garry Cleeve-trained 2022 Silver Collar winner Know Keeper, who takes his place from box two in the first heat alongside kennelmate Know Valour.
“He is all set and raring to go up there,” advised Cleeve.
Know Valour was also a 2022 Silver Collar finalist but finished unplaced. Cleeve is hopeful of him making a second final from box one.
“He isn't a good box-dog and his downfall is his lack of early pace. In saying that, he can find the line really well,” stated Cleeve.
Cleeve will also start Know Effort in the second of the Silver Collar heats.
Karen Walsh has trained three previous winners of the Silver Collar and will start three hopefuls in this years heats; Thrilling Hallie in heat 1, and Thrilling Rogue and Thrilling Brodie in heat 2.