MONGYS WILD heads into Saturday’s semi-finals of the Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch at Central Park as the fastest heat winner as Mark Wallis sets his sights on a fifth Category One success.

Already winner of the Premier Greyhound Racing Regency at Hove, the PGR St Leger at Nottingham, the Time TV Trophy at Towcester and the PGR Golden Jacket at Monmore, Mark Wallis’s champion came through powerfully to score in heat one of an event which was delayed a week due to a frozen track.

However, it did not stop the ante-post favourite, an October 2022 son of Roxholme Olaf and Banter Breeze, rubber-stamp that position when catching Ballymac Madgie (Shaun Gresham) for a two-length success in 44.55sec (-30), with George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial winner Deadly Disco (Richard Rees) qualifying in third here.

Droopys Flare set a new track record for Central Park’s extended six-bend trip in last year’s Cesarewitch and confirmed her liking for the Sittingbourne venue with a powerful display in heat two, although it was hardly plain sailing for Sean Parker’s bitch early.

The May 2023 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dancer was forced wide off the second bend and had work to do before coming through strongly to cross the line four and a half lengths clear of Reality Power (Robert Emery) and Princess Matilda (Gemma Evans) in 45.07sec (-30) for the 731m trip.

With dual Cesarewitch champion Garfiney Blaze withdrawn from heat three, the way was clear for the Patrick Janssens-trained Romeo Empire to shine.

However, again, it was hardly straightforward for the red-hot favourite as the British-bred February 2023 son of Romeo Magico and Fabulous Bella, while pacing up to lead at the bend after a missed break, was then all out to hold the running-on Crafty Prospero (Michelle Brown) who got to within a neck of the 45.10sec (-30) winner.

Third here and into Saturday’s semi-finals was Rockmount Rosie (Julie Luckhurst).

The fourth and final heat saw local success courtesy of Burgess Sophie as the Nick Carter-trained runner, a May 2023 daughter of Deerjet Sydney and Droopys Dargle, grabbed Aphantasia (George Andreas) in 45.65sec (-30), with Azzas Angel (Michelle Brown) crossing the line in third to qualify.

Daniel Rankin, deputy racing manager at Central Park, said of the four Cesarewitch heats: “I thought Mongys Wild was impressive as the fastest heat winner and the second and third ran really well to qualify.

“And while the time clocked by Droopys Flare was poor, she performed a minor miracle to stay on her feet and ran unbelievably well thereafter to win her heat.

“Romeo Empire showed a lot of speed after a missed the break in his heat, and while tiring close home, managed to hold on for favourite backers, while Burgess Sophie ran well for the locals to win the last heat.

“With the first three qualifying for the final from the semis we look set fair for a brilliant final here on Saturday week (January 24).”

 

Trap draw for Saturday’s semis: 

First semi-final: 1 Aphantasia, 2 Ballymac Madgie, 3 Burgess Sophia, 4 Mongys Wild, 5 Reality Power (m), 6 Deadly Disco (w).

Second semi-final: 1 Crafty Prospero, 2 Romeo Empire, 3 Droopys Flare, 4 Azzas Angel (m), 5 Princess Matilda (m), 6 Rockmount Rosie (w).

 

Photo: © Steve Nash