MAXINE LOCKE heads into Friday’s semi-finals of the Arena Racing Company Puppy Trophy at Sunderland with a strong hand after littermates Annadown Wendy and Annadown Chip impressed in the heats – with the latter posting the fastest time of the night as the litter continues to impress.

Annadown Chip, a winner of heat three in a standard-setting 27.05sec (+10), was following up his victory from litter brother Annadown Warrior in the PCS Legal Puppy Trophy Final on Derby final night at Towcester – and Annadown Chip’s win on Friday followed that in heat two of another littermate, litter sister Annadown Wendy, in 27.14sec which initiated the Locke double.

Also doubling up with littermate successes was Tom Heilbron as the Newcastle handler weighed in with both Romeo Vega, a 20-1 chance, in heat one in 27.43sec  (+10) and British-bred litter brother Romeo Dutch, winner of heat six in 27.21sec (+10).

Not to be outdone, Jimmy Fenwick matched the feat of the Locke and Heilbron kennels by sending out a Puppy Trophy heat double with Elegant Shadow (27.46sec +10) and Taylor The Best (27.19sec +10), on a night three heats of the BGBF British Bred Cup were also staged at the Wearside venue.

Phil Milner was also at the double here courtesy of Keefill Mo in 27.36sec (normal) and Keefill Rocky in 27.32sec (+10), while initiating a treble on the night for Tom Heilbron was heat two winner Fabulous Delta in 27.66sec (+10).

Joanne Wilson, general manager at Sunderland, said: “I thought Friday’s meeting was exceptional with six puppy heats which followed the three British-bred ones. These are two really good Category Two events and I’ve no doubt we’ll be seeing two more high-class nights for the semi-finals on Friday and final nights next week.

“I know the pups have a hard act to follow in the exceptional Slingshot Poppy who was such a popular winner of the Puppy Trophy here last year, but we saw some good performances and good times and they look a good crop of youngsters again.

“Our Fridays continue to go well. We’ve got some good deals for racegoers in the restaurant and bars going on just now – and into July with the centenary celebrations. These have been well received and we’ll continue to stage some quality meetings here on Friday night all the way through to the Arc Classic here in November.”