VOLCANIC REEF landed the GBGB Category One title his talent deserved when making all in the Coral Winter Derby Final at a wet and windy Hove on Saturday.

Lining up in his fourth Category One decider, and one of two Heather Dimmock-trained finalists in the £10,000-to-the-winner competition, the ultra-consistent Volcanic Reef struck for the owning The Jabber Crew syndicate with a brilliant display of front-running in the 500m feature, staged for only the second time after King Turbo’s win last year.

Despite starting a 16-1 chance, Volcanic Reef (Paradise Madison-Volcano, May 2016) showed his younger rivals a clean pair of heels from the traps and held off the challenge of Antigua Romeo (Mark Wallis) down the back-straight and then the staying-on King Lennon (Liz McNair) to cross the line a length and a quarter lengths clear in 29.25sec (-30).

“It was a brilliant run from Volcanic Reef and we’re all just so delighted,” said winning trainer Heather Dimmock. “He ran his heart out and just loves it at Hove. He was never a 16-1 chance once he trapped like that and was so game in front. He turns four in just over a couple of months time but the Steel City Cup and Derby could be targets.”

Richard Evans, a member of the winning The Jabber Crew syndicate, had praised for his trainer and thanked those that made it possible.

“I speak on behalf of the syndicate when thanking Coral for the race sponsorship and Hove stadium for its hospitality and big-race memento. But the biggest thanks should go to the groundstaff whose work ensured that racing could go ahead in the face of Storm Dennis. They had to be put up with some awful conditions.

“We were very proud owners to have two dogs reach the final in Volcanic Reef and Make No Apologie and I think the younger one helped the older one into the bend! Reef went on to win in fantastic fashion and the entire The Jabber Crew and trainer Heather (Dimmock) were overwhelmed by his win.

“Thanks to Heather and Mick (Pacey) for all their hard work. We are looking forward to more finals with them both!”

Ian Smyth, head of stadia for LadbrokesCoral, congratulated winning connections after Volcanic Reef’s success which completed a pretty successful day for the group’s tracks after the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket had taken place at Crayford earlier in the day. Unfortunately the Kent track had to cancel the evening fixture there.

“They had some damage to the traps caused by Storm Dennis, which was unfortunate,” said Smyth. “It was pretty tough conditions here, too, but no damage was caused and the groundstaff did a magnificent job to ensure racing was safe and we had some outstanding performances.

“The Coral Winter Derby Final was a superb contest and that topped the night’s action, but we also welcomed trainer Derek Knight into the Hall of Fame at Hove on Saturday. He had three tables in the restaurant and fully deserved the honour. Derek has a great history in greyhound racing and is very much part of the history here at Hove.

“For us now in terms of open racing, it’s the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Final next Saturday morning at Crayford, then in March it’s the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby at Monmore and the Coral Golden Sprint at Romford. We are delighted to continue to offer our customers, as well as owners and trainers, top-class racing across all our tracks.”