HEADFORD SARAH produced the performance of the night as the inaugural SIS Sprint Trophy burst into life at Harlow on Monday.

Run over Harlow’s 238m trip, the competition attracted sprinters from across the country, with the first three from each heat progressing to the semi-finals on Monday, 9 November.

Bretons Girl got the competition off to a winning start for Nathan Hunt in the opening heat. Sent off the 11-8 joint-favourite, the experienced performer was quickly away from trap three and was always prominent before stopping the clock at 15.11sec, a length and a half ahead of Lesleys Buddy. Boildacabbage took third to secure the final qualifying position.

There was plenty of interest surrounding Roanna Mamba in heat two who arrived on the back of featuring in the Scurry Gold Cup Final at Dunstall Park. Michelle Brown’s October 22 dog made no mistake, taking the lead on the run up and going on to record an impressive 15.01, winning by three and three-quarter lengths. 20-1 shot Venetian Ricky and Mahoonagh Hoffa also booked place in the semi-finals.

Patrick Browne’s Sunnyside Ted claimed heat three with another sharp display. Breaking smartly from trap six, the wide runner was always in command and registered 15.16sec, two and a half lengths clear of Strideaway Baby. Blackburnybullet took third place.

One of the bigger surprises came in heat four as Rosstemple Vivo, trained by Martyn Wiley, struck at 16-1. Away well from trap five, Rosstemple Vivo led throughout and held Yahoo Megan by a length and a quarter (15.33sec). Nightingale Crew was a neck further back in third.

Heat five went the way of Croydon Bucko for Jamie Kingsley (15.17sec). The railer showed early speed from trap two and led at the first bend before coming home two and a half lengths clear of Headford Fiona and Mustang Razor third.

Maxine Locke heads into the competition leading the GBGB Trainer of the Year standings and would have an even bigger reason to celebrate before the night was over when Headford Sarah emphatically laid down the marker in the sixth and final heat.

The August 24 whelp  broke quickly from trap three and was always in command, powering to a five-and-three-quarter-length victory in a brilliant 14.88sec, comfortably the fastest winning time of the six heats. Duffin Dermy finished second, with Newinn Souly taking third by a neck.