Professional greyhound trainer Tom Heilbron hopes to extend his Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat fortune on Thursday when Romeo Crossfire runs in Newcastle’s feature race.
The Trimdon handler won the competition as a co-owner in 2014 and 2015 with Bush Standard and Graigues Diva before tasting Category One success as a trainer for the first time in 2021 courtesy of Pacemaker Ted.
A fourth victory in the race for Heilbron rests on February ’22 dog Romeo Crossfire, who finished runner-up in the £7,500 BGBF British Bred Maiden Derby Final at Newcastle in May.
He’s been drawn in trap one – a box he holds a 50 per cent strike rate from – with fellow north-east stars Wicky Ned, Slingshot Sam, Tonelagee and Delvin Cat drawn on his outside.
The Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat means a lot to Heilbron, and lifting one of his local track’s premier prizes would serve as a good reward for his team’s hard work.
“We have great memories of the Northern Flat as a family,” said Heilbron. “The competition was my first Category One win as a trainer, albeit we couldn’t celebrate at the time because of COVID restrictions.
“It’s a great event and we’d love to win it again, and we have every chance. His semi final produced the fastest qualifying time and with the inside draw in the final has can control the first turn.
“I think it’s important we’re on the inside of those who have proven early pace. If he (Romeo Crossfire) can dominate the race early it could be his night.”
Heilbron is also represented in the evening’s other feature race – the Arena Racing Company Angel of the North – with Untold Ruble, winner of the recent Arena Racing Company Puppy Cup at Sunderland Stadium.
The race also features two litter sisters, Southfield Daisy and Coppice Ella, trained by English Greyhound Derby winning trainer Kevin Hutton.
Coppice Ella was purchased as a puppy by greyhound enthusiast Tony Brealey, who experienced big race success at Crayford in February during the 50th running of the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket.
A follow-up success with Ella would make her long journey north from Oxfordshire for the race worthwhile.
“She’s a great competition greyhound,” said Brealey. “And her performance in the semi finals was sensational to come from so far off the pace to qualify.
“She loves Newcastle and is an exciting greyhound to watch. I’d say she’s up there as one of the best dogs I’ve owned. If things go her way at the start and she traps well, she has every chance.”
Tickets, trackside packages and restaurant bookings for the 2024 Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat and Arena Racing Company Angel of the North are available to purchase here.
Doors open at 5.45pm with the first of 12 races on the night off at 6.37pm.
2024 Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat: Romeo Crossfire, Wicky Ned, Slingshot Sam, Tonelagee, VACANT, Delvin Cat.
2024 Arena Racing Company Angel of the North: Southfield Daisy, Untold Ruble, Wraysbury Katie, Coolavanny Mercy, Coppice Ella, Leighas Dream.
