MOANTEEN MIKEY heads into the semi-finals of the Arc Classic at Sunderland later this week as the fastest heat winner following Thursday’s first round of the GBGB Category One event over 450m.

 

The reigning All England Cup champion completed a double on the night for Angela Harrison as the October 2019 son of Droopys Buick and Moanteen Golden was soon in charge in heat three of the £10,000-to-the-winner competition.

 

Posting a 4.80sec sectional, Moanteen Mikey was never headed as he crossed the line two lengths clear of Tell Boy (Garry Hamilton) and Gartcloss Guest (Patrick Kennedy) in a standard-setting 26.80sec (+20) for the one lap distance at the Wearside venue.

 

The victory followed success for kennelmate Move Over Cha in heat one as the Angela Harrison-trained BresBet Steel City Cup second matched strides early with Paisley Pearl (Neil Brown) before scoring by two lengths in 26.86sec (+20).

 

Third here was another Sheffield finalist in Breaghmore Patch (Garry Hamilton).

 

Training honours on the night were split between Newcastle handlers Harrison and Patrick Kennedy, with the latter also notching a double courtesy of Gartcloss Axel and Gartcloss Pat.

 

First up was Gartcloss Axel in heat five as the May 2020 son of Good News and Drifting Abby overcame a slow start before finishing best to deny ante-post favourite Brookside Richie (Jimmy Fenwick) in the shadow of the post.

 

The latter went off a 1-6 chance to land the spoils but was crowded out early before leading down the far side, only for the eventual winner to deny him late by a short-head. Ratchies Gift (Harry Burton) qualified in third here, with the winning time 27.45sec (+20).

 

The Kennedy double was completed in the sixth and final heat by Gartcloss Pat as the 

July 2019 son of Pat C Sabbath and Glenlee made all before holding the challenge of Paisleys China (Raymond Hale) by a neck in 27.03sec (+20).

 

Third here was Goldies Jennings (Peter Ancell).

 

Heat two went to the Harry Burton-trained Slangevar Tommy who came home strongly in heat two to deny Mindhowyougo (Stuart Tighe) after the latter had posted a fastest-of-the-night 4.75sec sectional on his way to leading for much of the way.

 

Third here was Skywalker Stan (Ted Soppitt) and the winning time was 27.14sec (+20).

 

Tom Heilbron’s Little Venture landed a gutsy victory in heat four, breaking well before regaining the lead down the far side to score by a neck from Milldean Topaz (Graham Strike) with Hurleys Spring (Peter Richardson) back in third. The winning time was 27.10sec (+20).

 

Newcastle general manager Ian Walton, who is overseeing the action at sister track Sunderland, said: “I thought Thursday had everything really. We had our fair share of shocks, outstanding performances, and lots of different connections qualifying runners through to the semi-finals.

 

“It was a big night for Patrick Kennedy with three of his runners making the semi-finals, and Brookside Richie being turned over at long odds-on, albeit overcoming adversity to qualify. He is still favourite to win the competition and the one to beat.

 

“Roll on Thursday’s semi-finals!”

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=390741&raceId=886882

 

Trap draw for Thursday’s semi-finals: https://www.sunderland-greyhounds.co.uk/racing/results/