TAKEN FROM THE RACINGPOST.COMPerry Barr: the Sky Sports show starts from 2pm today. Don't miss it!Points makes prizes in six-track showdown By Jim Cremin of the Racing Post Full coverage, Pricewise, form and the view of the team managers make today's Racing Post eight page pullout unmissable. A titantic battle between Newcastle and Towcester is predicted.
OVER three months of Âferocious competition reaches its Âclimax at neutral Perry Barr this Âafternoon with the six surviving tracks Âin this year’s Bags/SIS Track ÂChampionship bringing ten Ârunners apiece for the live-on-Sky Sports 2 showdown (2.08 - 5.07).
Win prize-money has been doubled this year to ÂŁ1,000, with ÂŁ400 for each runner-up and ÂŁ100 appearance money. In addition, the overall Âwinning team collects ÂŁ15,000 to be split between the trainers, and additional track prize-money. The runners-up get ÂŁ10,000, and third takes home ÂŁ7,500.
It is significant money, and with no UK horseracing today, greyhound racing takes centre-stage in the betting shops, plus there is the new streaming Âservice offered by many Âbookmakers – so expect plenty of special offers.
Last year saw an Âincredible Âfinish with outsiders ÂPeterborough and Monmore needing a photo-finish for fifth place in the last race to decide the outcome.
Peterborough prevailed, but failed to qualify this year from a group where Ânewcomers ÂTowcester instead marched forward, with its management team and trainers particularly motivated to shine today.
Monmore, our initial ÂPricewise headline tip at 14-1, did go through, along with deadly rivals Hall Green – whose team looks markedly weaker at this point. Romford qualified from a highly competitive southern group and have several with good chances.
Newcastle and Belle Vue came through from the north, where Newcastle alone have now qualified for all five grand finals of the event.
There is a huge commitment from all involved. For instance Perry Barr might be a central location but it’s still a five-hour trek for the likes of Jimmy ÂFenwick. However, three years ago it turned into a gigantic party for the north-east as Newcastle romped home here – and the juggernaut looks likely to take some stopping today on the final Sky Sports card of the year.
Scott Harvey, on behalf of Bags, said yesterday: “It’s hard to imagine not having the Track Championship to bring the Âcurtain down, and the stage doesn’t get any bigger than being live on Sky Sports.
“So much planning has gone in from the start, and from the ground up. And you can expect the two powerhouses – ÂTowcester and Newcastle – will want to show one another who’s boss and stamp their authority on this year’s decider from the outset.
“The same can be said of Monmore and Hall Green, rivalry between the two is fierce, although they will need to bring nothing less than their A-game to threaten the market principals. Belle Vue have just kept chipping away to get here, along with Romford who finished off so well in their group.
“So good luck to the teams, they will all have their Âsupporters, and a massive thanks to everyone who has taken part in the Âcompetition this year. It Âcontinues to grow and evolve, and gives all Bags tracks Âsomething to aim for.”
Gordon Bissett, greyhound operations manager of SIS and a massive enthusiast for the event, added: “SIS are delighted to be jointly sponsoring the Track Championship final once again and it’s certainly shaping up to be another fantastic competition, and a great afternoon’s sport.
“We are robustly committed to greyhound racing and are Âlooking forward to Âsharing the excitement with our Âinternational customers. The future of Bags racing looks very bright indeed.”