CHELMS BEAR rewrote the record books at Sheffield on Sunday as Craig Morris’s star blitzed his rivals in the third semi-final of the BresBet Steel City Cup – bettering a nine-year-old track record in the process.

Domino Storm’s 2016 best of 28.27sec, set on the night of the Northern Sprint final, was smashed by Chelms Bear as the Birmingham Cup winner, formerly known as Barntick Bear, surprisingly led on the run to the first bend after a fast exit and was always going to dominate thereafter – producing one of the great runs thereafter.

Racing away, the 38-kilo April 2022 son Droopys Sydney and Barntick Smokey had only the clock as his rival – and he beat it, by an astonishing 26 spots, as he crossed the line nine and a half lengths clear of Romeo Ability (Patrick Janssens) in 28.01sec (+20).

“It’s funny, I remember Domino Storm breaking that track record and thought it was one of those which might never be beaten – it’s already nine years old anyway.

“I’d say what the Bear has done will never be beaten – and I’m not sure I saw it coming! He’s in great form we know and his balance round Sheffield has been really impressive to see, not just in the 3 Steps but now the Steel City Cup – he took off down the back in the heats last week and is loving it there.

“But who thought he’d lead? Yes, he’s got amazing all-round speed and what he does off the second bend is unreal, but he’s come out running and not stopped – and not having to go past dogs he’s flown round those bends. He’s quite freakish really and I’m lucky to have him – easily the best I’ve ever had – and we’re ready to go again in the final.

“He’s got trap four outside Romeo Steel, so I’m not sure he leads on Sunday! But we’re delighted to take our chance and I know that anything like a run puts him in the mix. You never taken anything for granted but that’s four finals for us since he arrived and I’m not sure I could’ve asked for much more. He’s been brilliant.

“As everyone knows we got him from Patrick (Janssens) who I get on very well, although he’s got two runners against us on Sunday – so it’s game on, albeit both of us just want every dog to run its race and return safe and sound. That’s all that matters really.”

Kinsley trainer David Fradgley kicked off semi-final afternoon at the Owlerton Stadium by sending out his star youngster Bouncing Monarch to win the first semi.

The January 2024 son of Deerjet Sydney and Lemon Elsa showed older rivals a clean pair of heels early and made all the running for a three and a quarter length win over Romeo Missile (Kelly Hodson) in 28.68sec (+20).

East Anglian Derby winner Romeo Steel cruised to success in the second semi, a 4.26sec sectional – Chelms Bear would post a 4.24sec split less than 20 minutes later – setting up a three and three-quarter length win for Patrick Janssens’ runner over Monmore’s Timmys Hunter (Pat Curtin) in 28.46sec (+20).

Trap draw for Sunday’s final: 1 Romeo Ability, 2 Bouncing Monarch, 3 Romeo Steel, 4 Chelms

 

BresBet Steel City Cup final in stats

Draw Greyhound W R % TPM +/- *W *R *% *+/- BST BAT BCT CW CR CD% DLR DLW
1 Romeo Ability 16 25 64% £12,105 £2.77 14 18 78% £5.02 4.19 28.77 28.94 3 6 50% 1 8
2 Bouncing Monarch 2 7 29% £2,340 £0.12 1 1 100% £0.62 4.29 28.68 28.88 1 2 50% 1 1
3 Romeo Steel 27 51 53% £33,500 -£1.63 22 32 69% £0.29 4.13 28.46 28.66 5 5 100% 1 1
4 Chelms Bear 24 56 43% £31,265 -£2.29 19 33 58% -£0.14 4.24 28.01 28.21 3 3 100% 1 1
5 Timmys Hunter 2 15 13% £1,740 -£9.45 1 1 100% £0.80 4.28 28.71 28.97 1 3 33% 1 22
6 Romeo Missile 10 47 21% £5,430 -£4.38 3 12 25% -£4.50 4.20 28.67 28.87 9 38 24% 1 25