FERNHILL REX landed a second major success of the year when making all to justify favouritism in the Alan Speechley Fengate Collar Final – on Peterborough’s biggest night of the year.

A packed and enthusiastic Saturday night crowd saw the Lee Field-owned and trained three-year-old add to his Northern Flat success at Belle Vue in September as he was never headed in the final in almost a carbon-copy of his heat success in midweek.

Racing to a rapid 4.45sec split, the October 2015 son of Iso Octane and Fernhill Jess made all over the 435m trip to clock 26.34sec (-40) on rain-softened going as he crossed the line one and three-quarter lengths clear from Deadwood Stage (Sandra Clayton).

Winning trainer Field said: “I always felt if he broke level he’d have a huge chance as I couldn’t see a dog in the race back-running him. He’s probably competed at a higher level than his rivals – winning the Northern Flat, second in the Poole Golden Crest etc.

“He also made the semis of the Sunderland Classic and Henlow Derby. My slight concern going into the final was that we’ve had the cough here, so he might not have been 100 per cent last night anyway. All in all a good night’s work!”

Field has suggested a short rest for Fernhill Rex will be the order of the day, before preparing him for a possible crack at the National Sprint at Nottingham next month.

“I know he’s not a sprinter as such, but it’s a stiff sprint and if he can break he’ll be staying on strongly up the straight. He’s done 17.70sec in a trial there before after a month off so he’s capable of a run I think. After that he’ll have the new year off.

“I’m just over the moon with winning the competition at Peterborough to add to the Northern Flat. He deserves to win competitions of this nature because he’s got so much ability, and he’s helped make this a great first year full-time training for me.

“I’ve only had the licence since January – I was an owner-trainer six months before – so to win two comps with him plus a race at the Lol Jones Memorial at Monmore is helping this make a great first year. It puts us on the map and gives up something to build on.

“I must mention a big thanks to Terence McCrory who I bought the dog from, plus a couple of others. Thanks to him for giving me the opportunity to work with Rex. We’ve had a great time so far, and I’m hoping we can continue it.”

On the victory of Fernhill Rex, and the night in general, newly appointed Peterborough racing manager Andy Lisemore said: “They were always playing catch-up with Rex after the way he pinged out. His split was exceptional and he’s a worthy winner.

“Well done also to our other competition winners on the night, both the sprint and six-bend events being sponsored by local bookmakers S & D Racing. Both were snared by locally-trained winning favourites – which I think delighted the crowd!

“Pukka Bullet, the winner of the sprint comp, is the joint track-record holder over 250m so was a good winner for popular veteran handler Phil Ward and Peterborough training legend David Pruhs provided the winner of the 620m final with Sensual.

“I’d also like to mention the other main race of the night – a £500-to-the-winner invitation kindly sponsored by local owner Nick Pietrzyk’s Fiesta Furniture company – Nick actually won his own cash back with victory for his Ballymac Oreilly.

“Nick part-owns the dog with Peter Band, and the powerhouse produced a stirring finish to get to kennelmate Ballymac Dema close home to give trainer Richard Devenish a one-two in the race. It was a fantastic finish.”

Overall, Lisemore was delighted with the night and is looking to increase the amount of open racing at the Fengate track in 2019.

“Saturday night proves we can put on a show here at Peterborough,” he said. “The action was first class, and generated plenty of away-trainer interest. Regular weekly opens are definitely something I’d like to introduce here next year.”

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/resultsMeeting.aspx?id=165811