GREYHOUND RACING: E.A. Derby Archive - 60th Derby Winner £12000 + Silver Challenge Trophy, Second £2500, Third £1500, Other Finalists £600 Each

The Winner

   Geordie Parker 

Watch the Grand Final HERE >

In the pre race betting with the Stadium Bookmakers, Geordie Parker opened as odds on favourite at 4/5. After fielding bets on the rest of the field, Geordie Parker drifted to and was returned at, 1/1 favourite, reflecting the slight doubt that existed about his trapping ability on the big occasion. When the traps opened for the final, a loud roar from the crowd greeted Geordie Parker, as he indeed broke well and after powering up to the first bend turned in front. Local runner Coolside Lucky (4/1), trained by Jenny White at Horsford put up a spirited challenge down the back straight, in second place but was just overtaken on the run to the winning line and beaten by just one length, by Alibulk Rocket (11/4), bred, reared and trained by Peterborough based, Dilys Steels. By this time Geordie Parker was home by three and a quarter lengths, in a time of 27.94 seconds, for the 462 metre trip, the fastest of the whole competition, notching up Open Race Trainer Charlie Lister’s eighth East Anglian Derby win, his first was recorded by Swift Band in 1981, the prize back then £2,500.

Charlie Lister also took fourth place with Bat On (9/2). Aghaburren Wood (20/1), owned and trained by Robert Bothway at Fundenhall finished fifth. In sixth place Peterborough based Cuil Magic (33/1), trained by David Pruhs.