SIGNET OTIS was again quickest as the semi-finals of the BGBF British Bred Derby took centre-stage at Sheffield on Tuesday.

Trained by Kevin Hutton, the January 2020 youngster, a son of Magical Bale and Forest Natalee, was quickly away in the first semi-final, posting a 4.22sec split on his way to a runaway six-length success over half-brother Bernard (James Gaskin) in 28.64sec (+30).

He lines up in Tuesday’s £7,500 final as one of three Forest Natalee whelps given litter brother Sleek By Design, also trained by Hutton, finished second to the Patrick Janssens-trained Fabulous Azurra in the second semi-final, the pair finishing strongly to catch longtime leader Keefill Finn (Barrie Draper) in 28.85sec (-30).

Kim Gooding sent out Shockwave Amber to win the third semi-final at odds of 14-1 as the December 19 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Southoe Silver produced a trap-to-line effort to cross the line a length clear of King Louis (Liz McNair) in 29.21sec (-30).

Andrew Mascarenhas, director of racing at Owlerton Stadium, said: “Signet Otis continues to set a trend for Kevin Hutton at Owlerton Stadium. Kevin is looking for a quickfire Category One double here after Forest Gold won the BresBet Steel City Cup.

“Signet Otis was the fastest semi-final winner by a long way and has the early pace to always be a threat. Bernard did well to qualify in behind after first-bend trouble, although I’d have liked him to have been drawn in five, as he did come in when winning his heat.

“Shockwave Amber continues to improve her break on each visit to Owlerton Stadium, although that seems to have coincided with being draw further from the rail each time.

“She landed something of a shock win given odds of 14-1 in her semi and won holding off King Louis, although the latter was somewhat unlucky having encountered traffic when laying down a challenge.

“Fabulous Azurra remains unbeaten after her semi and did so in a more impressive fashion than in the heats where she was nearly picked up. Sleek By Design found trouble behind Fabulous Azurra but still managed an improvement on her time, so there could be further improvement to come.

“The original entry was strong and that’s been the case with all our Cat Ones. We were again oversubscribed and I’m always grateful of the support from trainers from further afield and our own attached trainers. We wish them all well in future races.

“The stadium is fully booked and has been for a couple of months now, so it promises to brilliant atmosphere and a bumper crowd for final night on Tuesday. We’ve some supporting opens and also our yearly Gain Nutrition Xmas Cracker Handicap heats are planned.

“Thank-you to the BGBF for allowing Owlerton Stadium to hold the event and for providing a platform for British breeding to be showcased.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=380272&raceId=798727

Trap draw for Tuesday’s final: 1 Shockwave Amber, 2 Sleek By Design, 3 Signet Otis, 4 Fabulous Azurra (m), 5 King Louis (w), 6 Bernard (w).