DONCASTER breaks new ground on Saturday with the first running of the Doncaster Puppy Derby with the youngsters chasing a first prize of £10,000.

The Michelle Brown-trained Carrigoon Cece is favourite for the Category One competition at the South Yorkshire track with the Coral Romford Puppy Cup winner eyeing a second major success in just her sixth start having made all in her semi-final last weekend to set the fastest time of the round with a 27.81sec (-40) for the 450m trip when leading home Aero Molly (Richie Taberner) by a length and a half.

Tom Heilbron’s My Twilight Zone (28.39sec -40) finished best to deny rivals by a head in his semi-final, chiefly dead-heaters for second Demon Hunter and Cockneys Zachery, with the former heading into the final on the toss of a coin to give Newcastle trainer Heilbron two finalists. The other semi saw David Mullins’ Shado Earth making all the running to score by half a length from Cluain Denis (Gemma Evans) in 27.97sec (-40).

Saturday’s final is an all-railer field which, says Doncaster racing office official Stephen Gray, gives Carrigoon Cece an obvious chance but he expects improvement from the field as a whole given six youngsters are gunning for the prize there.

“The very nature of pups means there’s always scope for improvement and whoever steps up could definitely take their opportunity,” he said, “but what we’re all delighted with here at Doncaster is how good the competition has been and how trainers from all over the UK have supported it. North and South are both well represented on Saturday!

“Carrigoon Cece is clearly the one they have to beat on the draw and to win two Cat Ones in just six races would be something special, but Demon Hunter is far better drawn now. My Twilight Zone, his kennelmate at Newcastle, can also raise his game after leaving it at the start in the semis before winning, while Monmore’s Aero Molly could be a classy stayer in the making. She comes from a very in-form kennel, too!

“Then we have the two Romford finalists. Cluain Denis has a tough draw at first glance, but he’s very resolute and will take his chance if presented, while Shado Earth has the early pace to overcome trap six in a field of railers. From my experience trap six for a railer isn’t always an issue and can work for runners.

“Either way we’re looking forward to a great night with a cracking supporting card and, of course, a really good final.”