PAT COONEY of sponsors Bet365 hailed a fantastic start to the Empress Stakes at Towcester on Sunday – and is looking forward to Sunday’s crunch semi-finals of the bitches-only Category One event.

On an afternoon when a series of top-class performances thrilled those at that track or catching the action via the SIS service, Cooney revealed the level of interest in the 500m competition similar to that during the English Greyhound Derby – and favourite backers were happiest of all as five odds-on heat winners obliged.

Cooney said: “It was a great start to the Bet365 Empress Stakes and we’re set fair for Sunday now with three cracking semi-finals – including one particularly outstanding one with New Destiny, Queen Georgia and Avongate Venus all in against each other.

“All three of these bitches have followings and that will be reflected in the betting interest on the race. We know all about New Destiny and Queen Georgia but Avongate Venus has really burst on the scene – so well done Phil Milner and his team.

“Of course, it’s just the first two to qualify for the final in the semis, so the pressure is definitely on. Either way, we’re set for some great racing and, fair play to Towcester, they’ve attracted a really classy field despite other events going on just now.

“It’s a busy period, for sure, but we’re happy with the interest shown in the Empress Stakes – it’s really one of our best sponsorships.”

New Destiny was quickest on the day as the Mark Wallis-trained Coral Coronation Cup winner burst from the traps and quickly settled in the issue in heat five with a strong-running performance thereafter setting up a ten-length success over Greencroft Carla (Stephen Rayner) in a standard-setting 28.75sec (normal).

Barry Denby’s Leighas Dream was next quickest in heat four as the Nottingham raider also showed the best speed from lid-rise to soon take control and race away for a nine and three-quarter lengths win over 2022 Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger winner Havana Lover (Liz McNair) in 28.84sec (normal).

Queen Georgia, the Time 3 Steps To Victory heroine, also dipped under the magical 29 seconds barrier as Liz McNair’s Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic runner-up set up a double for the kennel – later successful in heat six with Queen Shakira (29.43sec) – by blasting out for an all-the-way victory in heat three in 28.86sec (normal).

Avongate Venus, the 1-6 favourite, made it seven wins in a row as Phil Milner’s bitch tore to the first bend off the back of a moderate exit in heat two to seize the initiative rounding the first bends before kicking on down the far side. Urlee Star (David Elcock) finished well, closing the gap to a length and a quarter at the line in 29.01sec (normal).

Icemans Girl hit the bullseye for darts ace Gerwyn Price in heat one as the Nathan Hunt-trained strong-running daughter of Broadstrand Bono led before halfway on her way to a five and a half length success over Chelms Weeney (Frank Gray) in 29.16sec (normal).

Trap draw for Sunday’s semi-finals:

First semi: 1 Droopys Eunice, 2 Minnie Bullet, 3 Greencroft Carla, 4 Fabulous Terra, 5 Signet Tess (m), 6 Leighas Dream (m).

Second semi: 1 New Destiny, 2 Chelms Weeney, 3 Queen Georgia, 4 Ballymac Camilla (m), 5 Avongate Venus (m), 6 Havana Lover (w).

Third semi: 1 Queen Shakira, 2 Urlee Star, 3 Icemans Girl, 4 Coolavanny Mercy (m), 5 Droopys Lost (m), 6 Adore Me (w).

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=416449&raceId=1066008