MONMORE stadium manager Paul Mason was among the first to congratulate connections of Bruce Bay after Mark Wallis’s up-and-coming star landed the re-run £10,000 Ladbrokes Winter Derby at the Wolverhampton venue.

Owned by the MWD Partnership, the June 2023 son of Ballyhimikin Jet and Paper Moon landed back-to-back wins in the 480m Category One after Proper Heiress’s victory 12 months ago, the success following Mongys Wild’s own back-to-back triumph in the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket the previous week.

Run alongside the six-bend event, the Winter Derby had been declared void a week earlier after the race was stopped in the interests of safety following Texas Jack’s fall when Droopys Aladdin was leading the contest – and Mason said he felt for connections of the runner-up after another gallant effort in the re-run.

Pacing up second behind fast-starting Toddys Wolf (Tom Heilbron) this time – Bouncing Monarch (David Fradgley) had started best in the original contest – Droopys Aladdin took up the running off the second bend and made the best of his way home.

However, Bruce Bay made smooth progress at this point in the four-dog re-run and finished the stronger, coming through to overhaul Droopys Aladdin on the run for home for a one and a quarter length win in a fast 28.03sec (+10).

Reflecting on the victory at the weekend and another major competition night at the Wolverhampton venue, Mason said: “Mike Burton’s dog ran a cracker again and you had to feel for connections given he was in front when the hare was stopped. However, everyone knew why and understood the situation and Droopys Aladdin’s connections were extremely graceful in defeat.

“I suppose the first thing to say was that Texas Jack from the original race is okay and will be back on track soon I understand and, while we only had four runners in the end after Gary The Arb was taken out after the semi-finals, it was still a classy final. Short on numbers but high on quality and Bruce Bay ran a great race.

“Congratulations to Mark (Wallis) and his team. They’re calling it the ‘Double double’ I see after winning the last two runnings of the Winter Derby and Golden Jacket, albeit the Jacket was held later last year. Hopefully next year we’ll actually get the two finals on the same night!

“Overall, we’ve had a brilliant run of open-race Saturdays and are now building up to the start of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby here – so more to come!

“Saturday saw another great crowd in attendance, making for a fantastic atmosphere to crown the achievement of Bruce Bay winning the Ladbrokes Winter Derby – it’s been some week for his team. And with a strong supporting card, including trial stakes for the Puppy Derby, it was another great advertisement for the sport.”

 

Photos: © Steve Nash