BURGESS HONEY, backed from 16-1 to 10-1 but still the outsider of the sextet, landed a surprise but deserved success in the Kent Cesarewitch Final at Crayford on Saturday.

Trained by the father and son team of Tony and Lee Gifkins, success in the £3,000 decider  was achieved in front-running style as the December 2016 daughter of Fernando Bale and Ballymac Salpa, the youngest finalist, trapped well and set the tempo as her rivals jostled for position inside and found troubled runs.

These included favourite Slippy Maggie (Michelle Brown), whose chance was ended in crowding between the third and fourth bends, and it was left to first Regency champion Aayamza Breeze (Mark Wallis) and then Savana Winner (Diane Henry) to try to challenge the leader, and the latter produced a stirring run.

The TV Trophy champion, towards the rear early, came with a withering run to get herself into a challenging position and just failed by half a length to catch the 56.83sec winner.

A delighted Lee Gifkins, owner and son of Burgess Honey’s trainer Tony, was delighted afterwards and reported their charge in great form back at the kennels.

“What a night for us all at Crayford,” he said. “The best stayers and marathon bitches in the UK – and Honey went ‘ping’ and did what she had too. It was brilliant, and we’ve had so many texts and calls from so many friends and other trainers – and from all the other finalists also. Greyhound people are just the best.”

Gifkins explained how Burgess Honey, for whom the TV Trophy at Romford in September will be a main target now, came to join their Suffolk set-up.

“It started at the end of last year when I did a deal with JJ Fennelly and Sheila Spillane who have all the ‘Burgess’ dogs in Ireland,” he said. “I’d bought Burgess Pilot and, although he won an open race, he wasn’t as good as he should have been. So JJ and Sheila said I could have Honey – and also keep Pilot.

“I sent Pilot to my trainer in Ireland Keith Powell, but then started out with Honey at Crayford – because I just love it there and they always help us with our new dogs with marking-up and trials.

“We always thought she’d be a stayer even though she’d never won a race in Ireland. So after a few easy races we stepped her up in distance and I entered her for the Maiden Gold Cup (550m) at Henlow. Unfortunately, after taking her for a trial there, she never got excepted. We were not very happy and it was time to prove them wrong!

“She won by over ten lengths at Crayford over 714m and then landed a double at Hove over 695m. After that she had a few rough rides and then won again over 714m back at Crayford after nearly being knocked over at the fourth bend, so we knew she was progressing. She then came second in an 843m at Yarmouth and seemed to stay well.

‘It just seemed natural to then try for Crayford’s Kent Cesarewitch. She was caught by the fantastic Slippy Maggie in a trial stakes, but then we did the same to another fantastic bitch in Stardom in the heats. We knew she was spot-on come the final, although what a line-up! She needed to everything right – and did. She’ll have two or three weeks off now.”

Peter Broadbridge, stadium manager at Crayford, congratulated winning connections and praised the owners and trainers of the others finalists in a fantastic decider.

“It was an excellent race which we at Crayford were proud to stage. The winner took her chance well and well done to the Gifkins family – although hard lines to Diane (Henry) and Kevin (Boothby), whose bitch looked a little unlucky at the second last bend.

“However, again greyhound racing was the overall winner with a great finish and the form will be tested again and again over the coming months with many differing opinions of future outcomes. I’ll just be happy if they all turn up for our Boxing Day Marathon!”

Result: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=351978&raceId=546853