SMALLMEAD clocked the fastest time in the heats of the Coral Champion Stakes at Romford to set up a John Mullins double as the famous 575m annual kicked off at the Essex venue.

Trained by Mullins for Lee Calcutt and his father David, the May 2018 daughter of Definate Opinion and Ballymac Razl paced up well inside and was soon in command, riding a bump at the turn before stretching well clear and bossing proceedings in front to win comfortably by ten lengths in 34.91sec (+15).

The victory delighted Lee Calcutt, who explained how he came by Smallmead – kennel name Tanya – from Irish breeder Liam Dowling, and why the two-year-old was then named after a former well-known greyhound venue.

“I bought her from Liam as a present for my dad – we have a half-share each – and is the first time he’s been involved from an ownership perspective,” he explained. “She had the potential to be a nice stayer and was going the right way.”

“Dad’s very excited. He’s supported my involvement for many years, but this is different for him given his name’s on the racecard now!

“I named her after the old Reading Stadium, which was Smallmead. We raced there in the early days and it’s always sad driving past the site almost 12 years after it closed.

“Tanya ideally wants a longer run to the bend to be able to dictate terms, but has drawn the red-box again in the semis so no complaints there – so fingers crossed she does the business next Friday, which happens to be my birthday!

“Obviously it’s down to John (Mullins) how he sees the future but the Derby has been mentioned, although competitions like the St Leger (710m, Perry Barr) and Crayford’s Ladbrokes Golden Jacket (714m) could be on the agenda. John might surprise us, though!”

The Mullins double was completed in heat six as Swift Tarquin made it a good week for owners John and James Wright – another father and son partnership – as he trapped smartly and made all in 35.22sec (+15). The Wrights share Yarmouth Derby heat winner Swift Lettuce with Chris Waters.

The Coral Champion Stakes started with a popular victory for Desperado Dan as Patrick Janssens’ runner broke smartly and was always in command, tacking across to the rails from a midfield draw before crossing the line a length and three-quarters in front of Sober Express in 35.21sec (+15).

The other heats were won by Perrys Choice (35.14sec +15), who skipped quickly clear to win by just over eight lengths in heat two; Ernie Gaskin’s Droopys Aoife (35.69sec +15) returned to winning form in heat four, before Bill Finley’s Black Olive (35.47sec +15) was another trap-to-line victor in heat five.

Mark Arkell, Romford racing manager, said: “The Champion Stakes heats coming after the Puppy Cup heats made for a really good night’s racing – and it was good to see a few Romford ever-presents winning – dogs and bitches that have won here before and have got a real following.

“Most of the ‘big guns’ progressed and it’s turning out to be an exciting competition. We’ve got the semi-finals of the Champion Stakes and Puppy Cup next week, plus the start of the LadbrokesCoral Guys & Dolls competition which has had an awful lot of interest.

“It should be another great evening here at Romford – especially given we are re-opening our doors to patrons for the first time.”