BOMBARDIER was quickest in the heats of the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger on Saturday as Crayford launched its latest GBGB Category One event with four heats of the 714m competition.

A winner for Mark Wallis on Trainers Judgement Night at Monmore seven days previously, Bombardier faced an intriguing clash with Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket heroine Bellmore Sally (Jimmy Fenwick) but was always in charge after a fast start and first-bend lead as the Newcastle raider suffered a crowded run in behind.

Up front, however, Bombardier was turning the screw and the July 2019 son of Ballymac Matt and Ballymac Efirgie came home a length and three-quarters clear of the staying-on Bellmore Sally and Burgess Bruno (Julie Luckhurst), the latter also qualifying for Saturday’s semi-finals. The winning time was 45.54sec (normal).

Kishlawn Shakira was next quickest in heat two as the David Mullins-trained three-year-old  was always handy behind leader Droopys Garden (Maxine Locke) before powering on for a three-length success over March On Cherry (Theresa Dornan) and Rising Coco (Jim Reynolds) in 45.57sec.

Burgess Hannah proved a popular local winner of heat three as Tony Gifkins’ bitch came with a strong-running effort to catch longtime leader Burgess Elite (John Mullins) off the last bend before quickly going on to score by two and a quarter lengths in 45.61sec, with Blueberry Bullet (Mark Wallis) third.

Navy Blue, who finished down the field behind Bombardier on Trainers Judgement Night at Monmore, returned to winning ways in heat four as Ricky Holloway’s runner grabbed leader Bettys Book (Kevin Boon) on the run for home to score by a length and a half in 45.80sec. Lightfoot Styles (Michelle Brown) was third here.

The heats of the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger were supported by heats of the Ladbrokes Guys & Dolls over 380m on a superb morning’s open-racing at the Kent venue which received a strong social media offering from Crayford from the Kent track’s deputy racing manager Graham Banks.

Banks said: “It was a great morning’s racing and thanks to all the trainers and kennelhands who stopped by for a chat – it’s much appreciated. We always like to push the social media on our big occasions and it works well alongside the RPGTV coverage.

“The clash of Bombardier and Bellmore Sally always looked a match up on paper – and it was a tale of two races. Bombardier was out in front and doing his thing impressively, but your eyes were always looking to where Bellmore Sally was. She’s already won the Golden Jacket here and runs the track really well.

“However, she was stopped on several occasions when just beginning to make a move. Bombardier was an impressive winner at Monmore last week and, once he broke well from the traps and built up an early lead, gave himself every chance of the win.

“Kishlawn Shakira took heat two when picking up the front-running Droopys Garden heading into the final bends before going on to score, while local runner Burgess Hannah made it six wins from six starts at Crayford since being a beaten finalist in the Golden Jacket final when picking up Burgess Elite.

“The final heat looked to be the weakest of the four but it saw a good performance from Navy Blue, who came from way off the pace to pounce.

“We’re set for two cracking semi-finals of the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger on Saturday – and thanks again and welcome back to Karl Brazier for his sponsorship of one of our biggest competitions. Karl’s a leading owner and great supporter of greyhound racing in general, but especially here at Crayford.”

 

Trap draw for Saturday’s Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger semi-finals:-

First semi-final: 1 Kishlawn Shakira, 2 Blueberry Bullet, 3 Bellmore Sally (m), 4 Lightfoot Styles (m), 5 Burgess Bruno (w), 6 Rising Coco (w).

Second semi-final: 1 Bombardier, 2 Bettys Book, 3 March On Cherry (m), 4 Navy Blue (m), 5 Burgess Hannah (w), 6 Burgess Elite (w).