KEEFILL GOOSE leads no less than three Phil Milner-trained finalists into Sunday’s BGBF British Bred Derby Final after posting the fastest time in the weekend’s semi-finals at the Owlerton venue.

Lining up against littermate Keefill Maverick in the second semi, the July 2022 son of Droopys Addition and Tarsna Atalanta was led by the latter who posted a fastest-of-the-session 4.15sec sectional but was always in contention with the Milner duo having the race between them from a long way out.

However, it was Keefill Goose who proved the stronger, grabbing his litter brother on the line for a head success in 28.83sec (normal) for the 500m trip. Third here and also into Sunday’s £10,000 decider was the Patrick Janssens-trained Romeo Control, who finished just a length behind the front two, keeping on well.

The Kevin Ferguson-trained Acomb Felix took the first semi-final with a solid front-running display as he sets his sights on a second major success after winning the British Breeders Stakes at Nottingham earlier this year.

The March 2021 son of Hiya Butt and Acomb Ruby was soon at the head of affairs, racing to a 4.19sec sectional, and was never in trouble as he crossed the line three and three-quarter lengths clear of local hope Romeo Missile (Kelly Hodson) and Keefil Rocky (Phil Milner), the fastest heat winner, in 28.97sec (normal).

Looking forward to Sunday’s final and an exciting British-bred weekend to come, BGBF chair Liz Mort said: “Well done to all the finalists and thanks as ever to Sheffield.

“We’ve got three Keefills, two Romeos and an Acomb – so three of our biggest breeders now are through to the final in Phil Milner with his and Keeley’s (Cunningham) Keefills, Dave and Nicola (Firmager) with a pair of Romeos and Kevin (Ferguson) with one of his star Acombs. All are a real credit to British breeding.

“Given we’ve got a special British-bred invitation at Towcester on Saturday at their big meeting – the BGBF Greyhound Stud Book British Bred Stakes – it’s a really good weekend for us, and however it works out in Sunday’s final at Sheffield we will have a great winner to succeed last year’s champion King Memphis.”

Trap draw for Sunday’s final: 1 Romeo Control, 2 Acomb Felix, 3 Keefill Maverick (m), 4 Keefill Goose (m), 5 Keefill Rocky (m), 6 Romeo Missile (w).