LINKS MAVERICK landed back-to back victories in the event for local trainer Tom Heilbron when winning Thursday’s Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby Final at Newcastle – on a night the young handler will remember for a long time.

Six winners on the card included victory in the £12,500 decider for the May 2021 son of Grangeview Ten and Havana Lottie who completed an unbeaten run through the puppy annual and extended his winning sequence to seven – and seven wins from nine career starts – when pacing up well from the traps and never looking in trouble.

One of two Heilbron-trained runners in the 480m final along with White Clover – he had landed a 1-2 in the decider twelve months ago as Freedom Alibi led home Innfield Trojan – it was left to the Alex Hopkins-trained Kilara Scottie to chase home the winner, who crossed the line two and three-quarter lengths clear in front in 28.61sec (normal).

Third place went to John Marriot’s Fearsome Quest, with the winner’s kennelmate White Clover in fourth place – adding to a decent haul for the Newcastle trainer who struck on the supporting card with wins for Osgood Sogood in an A1, plus Dubh Pasta in the sprint, Darbys Delight and Ballymac Moment both over 640m and Anynamewilldo in the standard.

“I don’t really know where to start!”, said Heilbron. “It was certainly some night at Newcastle and I’m still waiting for someone to slap me and wake me up from what was a dream night – I’m not sure it could have gone any better!

“That said, I hadn’t felt pressure like that in the game before – especially when the bookies chalked him up so short ante-post but I said to the other owners that I really felt the dog was bombproof going into the competition.

“I knew we had a bit more in the tank even when he won his heat, so going into the semi-finals and final, I knew he’d have to make a mistake to get beat.

“Having six winners on any card is special but to have them on such a big night and to get it right in the final was unbelievable. It’s a night I’ll cherish forever and to share it with some of my closest family and friends was just amazing.

“I’m hoping that the results over the last few years and the way we have started this year is proving to the greyhound fraternity that, given the ammunition, we can compete with the best in the country.

“We’re always on the lookout for new owners and are willing to travel the country for competitions given the right dog. So if anyone is interested in placing a dog with us please feel free to get in touch!”

Heilbron thanked Drew Richards for getting him Links Maverick and has outlined the upcoming Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby at Monmore and Stadium Bookmakers Pall Mall at Oxford as likely big-race targets for the newly crowned Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby winner.

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=394108&raceId=914285