JAGUAR MACIE set the fastest time in the heats of the Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle on Wednesday as the Graham Rankin-trained youngster continued her rich vein of form.

Winner of the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore on her previous start, the April 2019 daughter of Droopys Jet and Droopys Breeze began her campaign for a notable GBGB Category One double with an all-the-way victory in heat four of the three-round event.

Quickly away on route to clocking a fastest-of-the-night 4.50sec split, Jaguar Macie was never headed as she crossed the line a length-and-a-quarter in front of local pair Luna On Air (Jimmy Fenwick) and Emers Dawn (Stuart Ray) in 28.40sec (normal).

“She was like the Honeysuckle of greyhound racing tonight!” said stadium manager Ian Walton after the six heats of the 480m competition at the north-east venue. “It was a brilliant performance from clearly a top-class bitch of Graham’s.

“But I thought right from the start there were fantastic performances here and it’s great to have the Northern Puppy Derby back. It’s one of the most famous races in the Calendar and treasured here at Newcastle.

“I thought as well as Jaguar Macie, Bockos Melody and Lightfoot Gigi also showed superb form and added to what I’d say is the strongest Puppy Derby we’ve ever held at Newcastle.

“It’s got an earlier date in the calendar this year and you’d like to think we’re showcasing plenty of greyhounds to follow for the rest of 2021. Let’s hope for some more clean racing and the best of luck to connections for next week’s semi-finals.”

The Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby kicked off with a home success and one-two for Newcastle trainer Jimmy Fenwick in heat one as Lightfoot Gigi produced a strong back-straight surge to lead at the third bend.

He went on to beat staying-on kennelmate Cold As Ice by two and a half lengths in 28.54sec.

Rockmount Dizzee struck for the kennel which scored Northern Puppy Derby success with Droopys Trawler in 2018 as Andrew Wood’s dog overcame a bump at the start to lead early in heat two and score by a length from staying-on favourite Dannid (Matt Dartnall).

The winning time was 28.71sec.

Bockos Melody, who ran-up to Surprising in the English Puppy Derby at Towcester at the backend of last year, impressed in heat three.

The Patrick Janssens-trained runner was quickly away (4.56 split) and always led, although runner-up Bramble Ontheup (Steve Anderson) kept on well to keep the winning distance to less than a length. The winning time was 28.44sec.

Romford trainer Nathan Hunt made the long journey north a successful one by striking with Teaboy Bruno (28.81sec) in all-the-way fashion in heat five and also qualified Brightside Nick, who finished second to Gary Carmichael’s last heat winner Lav Yin Yak in 28.88sec.

 

Trap draw for Wednesday’s semi-finals:-

First semi: 1 Long Vehicle, 2 Toast Of Sydney, 3 Bramble Ontheup, 4 Anynamewilldo, 5 Teaboy Bruno (w), 6 Rockmount Dizzee (w).

Second semi: 1 Jaguar Macie, 2 Knight Of Merlin, 3 Abigails Buddy, 4 Lightfoot Gigi, 5 Brightside Nick (m), 6 Dannid (w).

Third semi: 1 Lan Yin Yak, 2 Bubbly Rascal, 3 Garys Diamond, 4 Bockos Melody (m), 5 Lightfoot Dodd (w), 6 Cold As Ice (w).