HEADFORD DANE rewrote the record books at Monmore on Saturday as he landed a famous Monmore double in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Final.

Already winner of Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby, Maxine Locke’s dog became the first greyhound ever to land the Puppy Derby/Gold Cup double at the Wolverhampton track as he blasted to a brilliant runaway victory in the £10,000 annual.

Sharing the stage with the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic for a gala card at the track, including the final of the Peter Billingham Memorial Trophy, Headford Dane proved one of the stars of show as he showed older rivals a clean pair of heels to strike gold for the owning JR Racing Syndicate. Jack Russell was on hand to collect the trophy

Quickly into stride, the August 2023 son of Ballymac Bolger and Headford Honey was soon pitching for the lead alongside Jacktavern Chief (Glenn Foot) and roared into an early advantage on the approach to the bend. He never looked in danger thereafter.

Clear down the far side, Headford Dane was on his way to a career-best victory as he crossed the line four and a quarter lengths clear of Jacktavern Chief in a rapid 27.79sec (normal), the fastest of the event, and one of the fastest runs of the year for Monmore’s 480m trip.

Unraced in Ireland, all seven of Headford Dane’s UK runs have been at Monmore – including five wins and two Category One titles – and Locke explained why.

“The Puppy Derby was an obvious way go once we got him at the turn of the year,” said the Romford trainer. “Him and his brother (Headford Asher) were bought as good dogs but Dane just came to hand earlier and trials showed us he was good enough.

“He just progressed great during the Puppy Derby and, while it was a brilliant night when he won the final, he then pulled up sore after his second trial at Sheffield as we were getting him ready for the Gymcrack there.

“Unfortunately, he then got the cough so any plans we had of going for the Derby like Asher did and then the Juvenile Classic back at Towcester were shelved,” Locke added.

“The Gold Cup always seemed the right way to go once we got him back. We knew he ran Monmore well, was coming to hand in trials, and expected him to improve through the event.

“All that said, he almost went out in the heats and had to battle just to qualify. He missed his break and was always playing catch-up, managing to get third.

“To be honest he wasn’t great away in the semis, but the speed he’s got into the bend just opened up things for him and he’s finished well to win. 

“I suppose he’s then saved his best break for the final, which was handy!”

Locke has outlined a possible crack at the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby at Central Park in early October as a next target.

“He’ll likely to have a trial and then a warm-up race there – remember he’s only ever raced at Monmore so will need the experience,” she added.

Photos: © Steve Nash