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Colossus Bets, the pool betting operator, is supporting the return of open racing by backing the Kent Silver Salver at Central Park which starts on Sunday, July 5.
The Category Two competition was due to be staged before the shutdown in late March, but will now be staged across three Sundays, live on Racing Post Greyhound TV.
For 18 greyhounds over 265m, heats of the Colossus Bets Kent Silver Salver will be staged on July 5, with semi-finals on July 12 and the £3,000 final on Sunday, July 19.
“Many thanks to Bernard Marantelli and Colossus for supporting the Kent Silver Salver,” said Central Park promoter Roger Cearns.
“We always intended to stage the competition at some point, as opposed to cancelling it, but this is still tremendous news given so much has happened between now and the original dates.
“Like every industry, greyhound racing’s business has been badly affected by the shutdown and we are, of course, currently operating behind closed doors.
“Our track and racing office staff have done tremendously to get the show back on the road, all with their help of our trainers and their own staff. Central Park is a Covid-19 secure workplace – and that has taken plenty of work to ensure.”
Dan Homewood, Central Park’s racing manager, added: “It’s great to have the Silver Salver back on the GBGB Calendar, albeit at a later date of course.
“We pride ourselves on staging top-quality open racing on Sundays for our RPGTV and SIS programmes, as well as producing graded cards throughout the week.
“Having the Colossus Bets Kent Silver Salver is a great way to kick off things again in terms of our open races.”
Bernard Marantelli, the CEO and founder of Colossus Bets, is looking forward to have renewed his company’s sponsorship links with the sport having backed the TV Trophy a few years back.
“Everyone knows my love for the sport of greyhound racing. My father has been a bookmaker for 50 years, has always loved the greyhounds – and the focus is very much on them now.
“Greyhound racing was the first sport back, a fact they should be proud of and was rightly celebrated. We are delighted to sponsor the Kent Silver Silver and I know our customers will support the competition and the sport itself.”
