CROSSFIELD CORA heads into tonight’s Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory Final as the fastest semi-final winner after an impressive trap-to-line victory in the third semi-final of the £10,000-to-the-winner tri-distance event over 500m.

The Mark Wallis-trained April 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Crossfield Kate, third in the recent KAB Maiden Derby at Towcester, was quickly into stride and never headed as she powered to a four and a quarter lengths success over Black Racket (Barrie Draper) in 28.88sec (+10). The latter was subsequently withdrawn from the competition in-season.

However, after winning, Crossfield Cora now heads into Tuesday’s decider as the sole unbeaten runner looking to complete the set after wins in the 480m and 500m legs of the event, with a 660m final to look forward to at the Owlerton venue.

Next quickest was Distant Emma as Barrie Draper’s October 2020 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Distant Lucy, a litter sister of the Drapers’ Derby entry Distant Podge, edged out her rivals in a thrilling finish to the second semi-final.

Maximum Security (Nigel Saunders) cut out the early running but was challenged and crowded out approaching the third bend, with Mirrenofpaisley (Kim Billingham) then hitting the front before Distant Emma conjured up a huge run to hit the front, with Hove raider Clairkeith Remy (Carl Gardiner) finishing well to grab second and make the final.

The winning time for Sheffield-trained Distant Emma was 28.87sec (+10), with just a head and a short-head separating the first three home.

The opening semi-final also saw local success in the shape of the Phil Barlow-trained Swift Regina as the April 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Swift Hazel landed a 10-1 victory from Skywalker Stan (Ted Soppitt).

The eventual winner was quickly into stride and never headed as she crossed the line a length and three-quarters clearly of the Newcastle tracker in 29.02sec (+10).

William Rigney of Time Greyhound Nutrition, sponsors of the big race, said: “It looks a competitive final and intriguing because they’re now racing over 660m. For some it’s a first taste of six bends – and that’s what makes the 3 Steps such a unique competition for us on both sides of the Irish Sea. There’s nothing like it really and always seems to deliver.

“Looking at the final, seeing Barrie Draper’s name catches the eye. He’s a three-time winner of the competition – and none of us will ever forget his Ballymac Eske breaking the track record in his final race in the UK – he was some dog. Mark Wallis has also won a 3 Steps with Patchys Kerry, another top-class bitch.

“So good luck to Barrie and Mark, but also to young Carl Gardiner, who’s carrying the name of his late grandfather Claude so well, and to Ted Soppitt and Phil Barlow with their finalists too. It looks a cracking race and best wishes to connections of all.

“We here at Time Greyhound Nutrition are proud to be involved and our thanks go the team at Sheffield – and we’re all looking forward to Tuesday. It’s a busy time with the start of the (Star Sports/TRC) English Greyhound Derby and we were delighted to get involved in backing trophy races for the local graders before the Derby heats kicked off this weekend.

“It’s a great time to be a greyhound fan just now!”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=397337&raceId=940084

Trap draw for Tuesday’s £10,000 Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory Final: 1 Clairekeith Remy, 2 Skywalker Stan, 3 Distant Emma, 4 Vacant, 5 Crossfield Cora (m), 6 Swift Regina (w).