BROUGH PARK is expecting a big turn out on Sunday for what is being billed as its best-ever greyhound sale.
And one new owner could scoop a jackpot of £2,000 if his acquisition reaches the final of the forthcoming All England Cup at the Tyneside track.
The auction has been named the Pre-All England Cup Sale and British Combined Greyhound Sales promoter Brian Harrison is confident that some of the lots will be good enough to make their mark in next month's prestigious competition.
He said: "This is certainly the best sale I have organised and it includes some outstanding prospects.
"I am offering a bonus of £2,000 for any greyhound sold in the sale which reaches the final of the All England Cup and there has already been a lot of interest in the auction."
Prospective owners will be coming from far and wide and Brough Park's trainers will be on hand to offer advice.
Trials will start at 11am and the auction will follow at 1.30pm. Admission is £2, which includes a detailed catalogue of the greyhounds being offered and the stadium's restaurant will be open for breakfast between 10am and 1pm.
l Witton-le-Wear trainer Harry Williams has produced another top dog at Sunderland from his prodigious eight-pup May 1999 litter from a mating between his excellent brood bitch Pond Saturn and leading sire Highway Leader.
Pond Antonio is the latest to show his racing credentials at the East Boldon track, skating round the standard 450m trip in a rapid 27.52 secs to win the top A1 race by an emphatic 3 1/2 lengths.
The brindle dog weighs in at a big 36 kgs and some enthusiasts thought he might be too big for the tricky Sunderland circuit.
But Pond Antonio - from the same highly successful litter as Miranda, Cressida, Cordelia, Ophelia, Leontes, Cassandra and Alonso - has gradually improved to go top of the ratings after an open race success at Brough Park.
Sunderland are hoping to attract some of the top dogs in the country with two one-off £1,000 opens on September 1.
Two recent puppy competitions failed to fill and it has been decided to use the prize money for the 450m and 640m opens and the high standard of entry should swell the Saturday night crowd
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