DROOPYS FIDGET landed trainer Nathan Hunt his first GBGB Category One title in the inaugural Steel City Puppy Derby Final at Sheffield on Saturday.

Favourite for the £15,000-to-the-winner 500m event after wins in both heat and semi-final, the August 2021 daughter of Out Of Range ASB and Droopys Natalia completed her unbeaten run through the competition in brilliant style as a smash-break put the Paul Allen and John Gilson-owned youngster soon in command on her way to a comfortable victory.

Racing away from her field, the Monmore Puppy Derby semi-finalist had pulled five and a quarter lengths clear of her rivals by the winning line, finishing ahead of runner-up Givemeabreak (Mark Wallis) and third-placed Wicky Hiker (Sean Parker). The winning time for Droopys Fidget was a fast 28.35sec (+10).

A delighted winning trainer, who holds a dual contract at Monmore and Romford, said: “It was a brilliant night at Sheffield and hats off to the management who put on a good show on Saturday for the final and were very accommodating throughout the competition.

“I thought Droopys Fidget was faultless in the final. She broke the best she ever has in her short career and maintained a hard gallop all the way to the pick-up.”

Of the victory at the Owlerton Stadium, which saw Nathan Hunt land a first Category One in his own right having been assistant to Philip Simmonds for his successes, the trainer said: “It was fantastic to land our first Cat One and I have to thank all the staff at Trinity Kennels – Phil, Maisie, Sarah, Tammy, Paula, Ward and Shane.

“I’d also like to thank physio Ron Mills who helped get her spot-on for the final.

“The plan had been to take her to Hove for the Seasons Scaffolding Puppy Cup at Hove but we pulled her out. She put a lot into the race on Saturday and I just felt it was a quick turnaround in the circumstances.

“We’ll give her a couple of weeks off and go from there, although I wouldn’t rule out the Derby for her. Then again, nature may take its course at any stage and, if she was to come in season, that would hardly be a disaster at all. It would give her plenty of time.”

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=395985&raceId=929796