CROSSFIELD DUSTY, who went to traps for the decider still a puppy, landed champion trainer Patrick Janssens his first victory in the event with another blistering performance to lift the Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup Final at Perry Barr on Thursday.

Heading into the £3,000 Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup Final as the sole unbeaten runner, Crossfield Dusty lined up as an odds-on favourite and made no mistake as a fast start saw the January 2020 son of Droopys Jet and Crossfield Kate soon in control and on his way to victory.

Keeping up the gallop, the Janssens-trained and Marc White-owned Crossfield Dusty was never headed as he crossed the line a length and three-quarter lengths clear of the John Mullins-trained Knocknaseed Gem who held off Newinn Tik Tok (Patrick Browne) and GBGB Sprinter of the Year Shrewd Call (David Mullins). The winning time was 16.26sec (-30).

Winning trainer Janssens said: “Dusty is a young and exciting greyhound. Despite his age we knew he could hold his own against the best all-aged sprinters in the country at Perry Barr and did it in great style.

“Thursday’s win was his fifth straight win at Perry Barr – he’s never been beaten there – and he’s proving himself an absolute professional and has a great future ahead.

“The times he did round Perry Barr are exceptional and we couldn’t be happier with him. He’ll now go to Towcester for the (Gain Greyhound Nutrition) Sovereign Stakes next month.”

The Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup, a GBGB Category Two event, returned to the Birmingham track after being staged at Belle Vue (2009-19) and Harlow (2020) in recent years.

Perry Barr hosted the event from 2005 and 2008 so welcomed back some of the UK’s best sprinters this year in a renewal which was chief support to the Arena Racing Company Oaks Final. It meant the Arc track hosted two of the sport’s traditional Classics during a top-class meeting there.

Martin Seal, racing manager at Perry Barr, added: “Overall it was a superb night, but credit in the Scurry Gold Cup must go to Crossfield Dusty and his connections.

“Winning the Scurry meant it was five-from-five for him here, a brilliant unbeaten run having won heat and final of the Arc Dash before the Scurry kicked in – and then he’s wrapped up that event unbeaten.

“Thursday’s race was effectively over once Patrick’s (Janssens) blue brindle showed ahead in the early yards. The drop to two bends from a short four bends at Romford has proved a masterstroke from the trainer and his team – and it will take an almighty effort to lower his colours over any sprint trip moving forward.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=378775&raceId=786090