The stage is set for another thrilling edition of the Ladbrokes Nowra Puppy Classic, with the quality of the heats suggesting the race will once again launch the career of a promising greyhound. The Puppy Classic, which dates back to 2003, has become a regular target for trainers both locally and interstate. It now carries $40,000 in prizemoney for the winner and was elevated to Group Two status in 2024.
Past winners of the Puppy Classic include Double Twist (2013), Stilton Blue (2014), Sky Wave (2018), Hurricane Reign (2024), and last year's champion Sooty Keeping, who went on to win at Group One level and was crowned joint winner of NSW Greyhound of the Year. The event has also seen notable participants such as Jungle Johnny, Black Myth Wave, and Skedaddle Arlo in last year's final, as well as Both Bowers Ace and Gets Late Early, who filled the placings in 2024.
The field for this year's final, to be held on Sunday, April 26, was determined after six heats were conducted last Monday at The Pinebowl. The fastest qualifier is Secret Bandit from the kennel of Jodie Lord, who clocked 29.20 seconds for the 520-metre journey. This time beat the Jason Magri-trained Dennis Keeping, whose 29.26 seconds was the second-best time of the heats. The second-quickest heat winner was Minnie Finn's Winsome Rambo, who recorded 29.27 seconds, while his sister Before The Dawn was next fastest at 29.32 seconds, just ahead of Repeat The Same for Victorian trainer Josh Formosa.
