SHREWD CALL, a finalist last year, began his campaign for Stadium Bookmakers Northamptonshire Sprint glory with a brilliant fastest-of-the-afternoon success in heat three of the 270m Category One event at Towcester on Sunday.

The 2020 GBGB Sprinter of the Year might have lined up in just a three-runner heat but was faultless in winning, with a fast start setting up a fluent and fast victory from last year’s runner-up Mr Roo (Barry Johnson) and Roseville Lola (Robert Emery) by four lengths in 15.56sec – a time which compares favourably to Havana Class’s 15.45sec track record, set on Derby final night last year.

The aforementioned Havana Class lined up favourite in the opening heat but had to give best to the Jimmy Hayton-trained Kirabilly Kathy who railed into the lead approaching the bend and went on to land the spoils by a neck from Black Eyed Gale (Kevin Hutton), with Liz McNair’s Laurels champion a further neck away in third in a driving finish. The winning time was 15.94sec.

Scurry and National Sprint champion Crossfield Dusty kicked off his bid for another major two-bend prize with victory, albeit a hard-pressed one, as Patrick Janssens’ runner collared Headford Harry (Kevin Hutton) by a short-head in heat four in 15.73sec. Milldean Quartz (Afzal Ali) qualified in third here.

The other heats were won by Kevin Hutton’s Signet Mafia (15.77sec), Frank Gray’s Savana Tom (15.91sec), Mark Wallis’s Antigua Bigun (15.85sec) and the John Mullins-trained pair of Knocknaseed Gem (15.80sec) and Russian Blake (15.82sec).

Andy Lisemore, Towcester racing manager, said: “It was a cracking start to the competition with some top-class performances.

“It was unfortunate to have a number of non-runners, but you’d have to say the main contenders for outright honours all made it through and we’re set up for a classy Northamptonshire Sprint going forward with the second round on Sunday – and there are a few tasty clashes to look forward to.

“I know it was only a three-runner heat but Shrewd Call was brilliant in his heat. He trapped really well and the time was less than a length and a half off the clock, which tells you a lot. He really has been a win-machine and so consistent for connections for a long time now and made the final here last year, of course.

“Crossfield Dusty was made to work hard but you sense there’s more to come from this young sprinter, whose CV is pretty good already! And Havana Class probably didn’t get the clearest of runs in his heat and, again, you’d expect him to come forward ahead of the second round. He’s the track record holder after all.

“Overall our Towcester trainers had a good first round with a double for John (Mullins) and wins for Kevin (Hutton) and Frank (Gray) and will be well represented back here at the weekend for another quality open-race card.

“Just a reminder to trainers that we’ve got a full book of opens here on Sunday including a marathon (942m) and a maiden marathon. These close on Wednesday.”

 

Draw for Sunday’s second round:

Heat 1: 1. Knocknaseed Gem, 2. Deadly Tornado, 3. Across The Field, 4. Chelms Road (m), 5. Roseville Lola (m), 6. Russian Blake (w)

Heat 2: 1. Kirabilly Kathy, 2. Mr Roo, 3. Chelms Keith (m), 4. Chelms Yes (m), 5. Millhouse Turbo (w), 6. Early Knight (w)

Heat 3: 1. Milldean Quartz, 2. Into The Void, 3. Shrewd Call (m), 4. Headford Harry (m), 5. Savana Tom (m), 6. Antigua Bigun (w)

Heat 4: 1. Havana Class, 2. Salacres Lee, 3. Crossfield Dusty (m), 4. Blackeyed Gale (m), 5. Bennslittlelady (m), 6. Signet Mafia (w)