DISTANT PODGE eyes a notable big-race double at Nottingham on Monday after Barrie Draper’s dog setting the fastest time in the semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse at the Colwick Park venue.

The October 2020 son of Droopys Sydney and Distant Lucy, winner of the JenningsBet Puppy Classic at Nottingham in August, produced a show of all-round pace to claim gold in the second semi-final of the £20,000-to-the-winner GBGB Category One competition – in the process landing a notable family achievement.

Pacing up well off the back of a 4.96sec split and always in the mix, Distant Podge shaded her field to halfway and then came again after Untold Yen (Carol Weatherall) had hit the front approaching the third bend.

Regaining the initiative, Distant Podge put the race to the bed on the run for home to score by one and a half lengths, clocking 29.63sec (+30) for the 500m trip, from running-on litter sister Distant Emma for a Draper-trained litter one-two, much to the delight of Rose Draper, daughter and assistant to the winning trainer.

Speaking to Rob Crawford, working as track commentator on the night as well as handling the social media output for the Eclipse heats, Draper said: “We were always hopeful Podge would get a run which he did, but he had to brave after the five (Untold Yen) showed terrific pace. He just loves this track.

“It’s exciting to have two in the final – two siblings with different styles of running. Emma will be a nice staying bitch in time.”

Aero Dylan struck for Monmore handler Arran Dunn in the first semi-final with an impressive show of front running as ante-post favourite Coolavanny Shado (Patrick Janssens), impressive in the heats a week before, exited the event when crowded out in the run to the bend.

Taking advantage of a slow start from the favourite, Aero Dylan was soon in command on the outside, posting a 5.03sec split, after which the January 2020 son of Droopys Jet and Crossfield Kate was never headed as he impressively raced four and three-quarter lengths clear of Clairekeith Ray (Carl Gardiner) by the line in 29.91sec (+30).

The Patrick Janssens-trained Oaks champion Slick Sakina continued her tremendous form with victory in the third semi-final, albeit this eliminator produced the tightest finish of the night given just a short-head separated the winner and Bockos Palace (Kevin Boon).

The eventual winner, a July 2020 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Ring, was always handy up front but had to withstand a challenge from Mickys Barrett (Jason Gray) and then the strong-running Bockos Palace, who closed to within the minimum margin of the 29.76sec (+30) winner in a driving finish.

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=391637&raceId=893729

Trap draw for Monday’s final: https://www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk/racing/