GALAXY FREEDOM, the 28-1 outsider of the sextet, landed Hove trainer Stuart Maplesden another major title in 2021 with a last-gasp success over trackmate Hilight Arkle in a thrilling Arc Kent Derby Final at Central Park.

Following wins for Punk Rock Mutley in the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket and Punk Rock Doll in the Ladbrokes Guys & Dolls, it was the turn of Galaxy Freedom to improve an already stellar year for the kennel with a strong-running performance in the 480m final.

Brookside Richie (David Mullins) went off favourite but lost his chance stumbling from the boxes, which left the fast-starting pair of Hilight Arkle (Richard Rees) and Lenson Doolin (Ricky Holloway) to lead into the turn and put pressure on their rivals in the £6,500 decider.

The pair had a back-straight battle for supremacy, with the Rees runner taking a narrow advantage into the third turn before gradually going on – only for Maplesden’s Galaxy Freedom to join issue and then come home just the stronger.

In the shadow of the post, the June 2019 son of Over Limit and Kilcooney Maid hit the front to win by a short-head from Hilight Arkle in 29.26sec (-30), with Lenson Doolin a length and a half back in third.

Trained by Maplesden for owner Jozef Kis, two-time Newbridge winner Galaxy Freedom made his UK debut at Hove in May before opening his account in A2 company at the Sussex Cup the following month.

Four wins in A1 company later followed, before back-to-back wins at Central Park in preparation for the track’s main four-bend competition of the year.

Winning trainer Maplesden joked about his runner’s double-figure odds, commenting: “We don’t mind being double carpet (33-1) or whatever. We’re happy being the underdog, especially when things unfold as they have this year. Long may it continue!”

Of Galaxy Freedom, he said: “We’re just over the moon with him. I thought he was beaten and didn’t think he’d get to Hilight Arkle, but he’s getting stronger with each run it seems. When he first arrived we thought 480m was his max, but he’s a Derby dog maybe now.

“We’ve had a great year, but have got to look to next year at Towcester for this dog – but maybe the Olympic beforehand. We’ll see. I’m just delighted for Jozef (Kis, owner) and the family and we’ll certainly enjoy this victory for a good few days!”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=378402&raceId=782771