DROOPYS CLUE saved his very best for last with a brilliant track record-breaking victory in the final of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger Final at Perry Barr on Saturday.

Lining up as the youngest finalist in the £20,000-to-the-winner Classic decider over 710m, the Seamus Cahill-trained, Keylight Hire Ltd-owned runner was led from the boxes by fast-starting Jacktavern Bella (Graham Holland) but soon turned on the style with a burst of early pace inside which took him to the front ahead of the Irish raider approaching the turn.

Thereafter, it was a race against the clock, which Droopys Clue won – and some. Crossing the line six lengths in front of Jacktavern Bella who, in turn, was well clear of third-placed Millridge Tanic, the August 2021 son of Out Of Range ASB and Droopys Natalia posted a superb 42.33sec for the extended six bends at the Birmingham venue.

The time was well inside Space Jet’s previous best of 42.59sec and helped land Droopys Clue’s second GBGB Category One competition after success in the Juvenile Classic at Towcester in July. He then stepped up to six bends to run Fromposttopillar close in the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore.

Alex Hambi, who owns Droopys Clue under the Keylight Hire Ltd banner, was delighted with the performance afterwards and was full of praise for his trainer.

“I’ve got to say thanks to Seamus and Teresa (Cahill). They’re on holiday this weekend, but I know they were watching and I’m about to give them a call! They’ve done great because I remember when he came over he took a while to settle, but now look at him. One of the lads described him as a ‘monster of a dog’. I think he’s right!”

Saturday’s victory was a first St Leger success for Derby-winning trainer Cahill who enjoyed a fruitful week after Watch The Limo landed the Click Competitions 77th East Anglian Derby at Yarmouth just a few days previously.

“It’s certainly been a good week for the Cahills, so well done to them,” said Martin Seal, Perry Barr’s racing manager who joined the presentation for the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger Final along with deputy RM Dan Bradshaw, assistant Lewis Clarke and general manager Chris Black.

Of Droopys Clue’s win, Seal added: “It was a phenomenal run and I’m not sure we could all believe the time at first – he smashed the track record. His early and middle pace is brilliant and he stays what is a stiff 710m here well enough. He adds his name to one of the sport’s most famous rolls of honour and it’s thoroughly deserved.

“I also think for Seamus Cahill it’s absolutely right to be on that roll of honour. Some of the great trainers have won it – from Jack Harvey to Linda Mullins, Nick Savva, Charlie Lister, Mark Wallis and now Seamus. It goes well with his Derby win a few years back!

“Thank-you to all the owners and trainers who supported the two Category Ones here – the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger and M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory Of Michael Lambe Senior – many thanks to John Lambe and the family for their sponsorship once again of the Birmingham Cup.

“The St Leger and Birmingham Cup helped make a great night’s racing here on Saturday. We had a good crowd and atmosphere and will do it all over again in the upcoming Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks, which starts here on October 7.

“Thanks and well done to all the staff here, with special mention to clerk of the course Jonny Shahban and his team. The running surface was in absolutely mint condition.”