SIGNET GOOFY edged out Move Over Cha in a thrilling finish to the BresBet Steel City Cup Final at Sheffield on Saturday.

 

In front of a bumper crowd at the Owlerton venue, the John Mullins-trained Derby semi-finalist finished best to reel in Angela Harrison’s long-time leader to land the winning handler a second Steel City Cup success after Blonde Dino’s success in 2008.

 

Owned by Lee Calcutt and Chris Waters, Signet Goofy lined up as the sole seeded runner in a field of five railers and a middle seed and, trapping in front, was soon handy outside as Move Over Cha paced up to lead the charge into the turn.

 

Favourite Brookside Richie also paced up well but found himself on the outside of Signet Goofy and it was the January 2020 son of Magical Bale and Forest Natalee who won that back-straight battle before setting his sights on leader Move Over Cha.

 

Closing steadily, Signet Goofy stayed on best up the home-straight to collar Newcastle raider and Monmore Gold Cup winner Move Over Cha by a head in 28.76sec (+20) for the 500m trip with Garry Hamilton’s Breaghmore Patch two lengths away in third.

 

Landing another GBGB Category One title for the hugely successful Forest Natalee litter, and having recently himself finished third in the Produce Stakes at Swindon, winning trainer Mullins was delighted to landed a first major title in two years with Signet Goofy.

 

“My last Cat One was 2020, so it’s nice to win one again, although I still don’t know how he’s won that,” said Mullins.

 

“I said to the lads who own him maybe we should’ve put him in the Champion Stakes at Romford, the way he stayed on in the first round!

 

“He just never gives up and has got stronger with age. He ran great at Towcester in the Derby, but we’ve not done a huge amount with him. He ran well at Swindon, now here, and we’ll bring him back to Sheffield for the British Bred Derby.

 

“I just think it’s great for the dog himself. He was flying Derby-time and the way he handled himself you’d think he’d won the Derby! Now he’s won a big one he’s up alongside his littermates and they’re proving some bunch. Well done Kevin (Hutton, breeder).”

 

Andrew Mascarenhas, director of racing at Owlerton Stadium, said: “Well done to John (Mullins) and connections. This is proving some litter which Kevin Hutton bred and John Mullins reared and we are delighted to hear Signet Goofy will be back for the British Bred Derby here.

 

“We had a really good Saturday night crowd here with some cracking racing and our thanks go to sponsors BresBet for their support.”

 

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=390130&raceId=881749