ROMEO COMMAND underlined his standing as the one to beat in this year’s competition with a runaway success in heat four of the BGBF British Breeders Stakes at Nottingham on Monday.

 

The unbeaten January 2021 son of Dorotas Wildcat and Drive On Betsy made it seven wins on the spin as he overcame a bump early to challenge and pass defending champion Signet Otis (Kevin Hutton) off the second bend before going on to score by four and three-quarter lengths from that rival and Nadal (Philip Wilson) in 29.12sec (+50).

 

The victory followed wins for the Patrick Janssens-trained runner in heats and final of a Monmore maiden competition before an unbeaten run through to the RPGTV English Puppy Derby, ahead of the voided final, and then a Notts warm-up victory.

 

Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum (BGBF), said: “Wow! How impressive was Romeo Command yet again? Congratulations to Patrick Janssens and, of course, David Firmager who has bred yet another amazing litter.

 

“Command’s siblings include another British Breeders Stakes qualifier Romeo Top Cat, and others already making their names in open races. Only a January 21, Romeo Command is still improving and he’s definitely a greyhound people want to watch run.

 

“It was good to see Kevin Ferguson’s Acomb Alfie take the first heat – he is one of Kevin Ferguson’s March 21 litter from the repeat Hiya Butt x Acomb Ruby mating and is looking to be developing into a very good sort. Nigel Saunders currently trains Alfie because Kevin is currently in Australia.

 

“However, in this race, our sympathies were very much with Kim Gooding whose very good bitch Shockwave Ruby broke down in the first heat. She has a broken wrist and is under the care of the very capable vet Daniel Freiria.

 

“John Mullins’ home-bred Jaffa was impressive in the second heat, while No Rush, bred by Martin White and Barney Mooney in Leicestershire, won the third heat comfortably for Carol Weatherall.

 

“We have three sets of littermates in the semis. As well as Romeo Command and Romeo Top Cat for Patrick, Kevin (Hutton) has Sleek By Design and Signet Otis from his magnificent Magical Bale x Forest Natalee litter whelped in January 20, while Jill Llewellin’s Wolf Moon and Blythe Blaze from her and Ann Slinger’s home-bred January 21 litter by Sonny out of Loher Honey are also in there.

 

“Congratulations to all the qualifiers for Monday’s semi-finals.”

 

The GBGB Category One competition for British-breds had kicked off with success for the Nigel Saunders-trained Acomb Alfie as the March 2021 son of Hiya Butt and Acomb Ruby paced up well into the bend and, off the back of a fastest-of-the-session 5.00sec sectional, went on after injury befell nearest rival Shockwave Ruby.

 

Acomb Alfie crossed the line half a length clear of the keeping-on Romeo Top Cat (Patrick Janssens) and Wolf Moon (Jill Llewellin) in 29.69sec (+50).

 

Jaffa took heat two for John Mullins as the April 21 son of Ballymac Inspeed and Rackethall Jess made all from Kevin Hutton’s pair of Sleek By Design and Singalong Java,  winning by three-quarters of a length in 29.85sec (+50).

 

Carol Weatherall’s No Rush was a runaway winner of heat three as the June 2020 daughter of King Elvis and Vahsel Bay scored by almost seven lengths from Coyote Bear (Shaun Moore) and Blythe Blaze (Blythe Blaze) in 29.50sec (+50).

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=394757&raceId=919753

 

Trap draw and form for Monday’s semi-finals: https://www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk/racing/