DISTANT PODGE completed a brilliant four-timer and unbeaten run through the event with victory in the JenningsBet Puppy Classic at Nottingham on Monday.

 

Trained by Barrie Draper for Peter Band, the October 2020 son of Droopys Sydney and Distant Lucy made a winning debut in a trial stakes for the Puppy Classic before victories in the heats and semi-finals of the GBGB Category One competition.

 

Lining up in Monday’s £10,000-to-the-winner final as the odds-on favourite, Distant Podge was soon in command on his way to a 5.02sec sectional and three-and-a-quarter lengths success over Wolf Moon (Jill Llewellin) in 30.09sec (+20).

 

In winning, Distant Lodge added his name to an impressive roll of honour for the Puppy Classic which includes Ballymac Eske, also trained by Draper and part-owned by Band, who won the Puppy Classic in 2012. 

 

Rose Draper, daughter and assistant to her father Barrie, was delighted with the performance and believes there is plenty to look forward to from the youngster.

 

She said: “He’s a really lovely dog and it’s taken nothing out of him. Pete’s (Band) got a really good relationship with the breeder Sean Flaherty and owns a lot from the litter.

 

“He took a bit of time to get right, he’s a big dog who’s definitely still maturing so we don’t have too much to rush for. He’s definitely a dog for next year.

 

“He’ll not go to Romford (Coral Puppy Cup) and will probably go all-aged now with his main aim being the (Premier Greyhound Racing) Eclipse back at Nottingham, although we might give him a go at Central Park with the Kent Derby in mind.”

 

In addition to the trio of major races on the card, Nottingham also staged the final of a Category Three event in the shape of the JenningsBet 480m Trophy which went to the in-form Peter Holland-trainer Seven Outta Ten.

 

Leading at the first bend, the February 2020 son of Farloe Rumble and Wheatcross Charm held favourite Droopys Soldier by three-quarters of a length in 28.84sec (+30) for the 480m trip.

 

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=388528&raceId=868624