SPACE JET landed trainer Matt Dartnall his first Classic success when powering home to deny Night Time Danny in a thrilling, track record-breaking contest for the 2021 Arena Racing Company St Leger Final at Perry Barr on Thursday.

Fastest in the semi-finals, the February 2019 daughter of Droopys Jet and Volcano made it four wins from just seven UK starts as her growing reputation was cemented with victory in the longstanding stayers’ Classic, first run in 1928, and worth £10,000 to the winner.

Slow away in the 710m showpiece, as is customary, the relentless Space Jet weaved her way through to hit the front off the last bend to break the hearts of Night Time Danny’s supporters after Stephen Rayner’s dog cut loose in the dash to the first bend.

Night Time Danny had beaten favourite Blueberry Bullet (Mark Wallis) to the punch from the traps and a 16.29sec sectional set up a healthy advantage at the halfway point, leading the way from another Wallis-trained runner in Antigua Mememe.

However, Space Jet was making steady headway off the fourth bend and the Pat Dalton-bred powerhouse, a half-brother of fellow St Leger finalist Savana Volcano (Diane Henry) and full brother of 3 Steps champion Savana Eruption, was not for holding.

Hitting the front on the run to the line, Space Jet was on his way to St Leger glory, crossing  the line one and a quarter lengths clear of Antigua Mememe (Mark Wallis) in 42.59sec (normal) – ten spots inside another St Leger winner Rubys Rascal’s 2017 best.

Space Jet, second in her only Irish start at Clonmel, made her debut for Dartnall and owner Kurn Rushen at Central Park in July and had notched up wins at the Kent track and Nottingham before heading to Perry Barr for the Arc St Leger – and has continued to improved.

Winning trainer Dartnall said: “It was a team great effort and some run from her. She really is a little star and we’re all delighted to have won the St Leger.”

Martin Seal, Perry Barr racing manager, added: “It really was a great night’s racing, one which I’m still recovering from!

“It really was terrific and probably the best that I’ve seen in my time as RM at Perry Barr. There was fabulous racing across the board, grandstand finishes, two track records including one in the St Leger final, nearly two more best-evers, plus it was great to see a big crowd back in attendance to enjoy the occasion.

“Space Jet came from out of the clouds to land the Arc St Leger and I’m chuffed to see Matt Dartnall back in the big-time where he most certainly belongs.

“Spare a thought for the gallant Night Time Danny and Steve Rayner who equalled the old track record – indeed the first four under the 43.00sec barrier was something else. What a race, but well done to this year’s St Leger champion Space Jet and trainer Matt Dartnall.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=377834&raceId=778177