ALLOWDALE CAZOO produced a stirring finish to claim a narrow and last-gasp victory in the Peter Bussey Memorial Trophy Final at Crayford on Saturday.

The £5,000-to-the-winner GBGB Category Two decider was the main supporting competition to the Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket Final – and the youngest finalist in both events claimed gold. With Ricky Holloway’s Dazl Rolex later winning the Golden Jacket, it was the Nathan Hunt-trained October 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Allowdale Coco who landed the spoils for the owning Nathan Hunt Racing Club.

Hopes Paddington, a kennelmate of the eventual winner, had broken into front but got held up at the bend as Ritzy Empress (Jim Reynolds), herself showing great early pace, swooped round the second bend in front – crucially getting first run on 5-4 favourite Minnie Bullet (Mark Wallis) – and set sail for home in the 540m contest.

However, Allowdale Cazoo was never far from the action and kept up the pressure in behind, her wider course securing a clearer path as her rivals jostled for position in behind. Closing on the leader all the way up the home-straight, Allowdale Cazoo got up in the shadow of the post for a short-head victory over Ritzy Empress in 33.69sec (+20), with Minnie Bullet back in third.

The victory delighted trainer Hunt and the owning Nathan Hunt Racing Club which, for Allowdale Cazoo, comprises Patrick Huckle, Jack Bingham, Alex Miller, Chris Williams, Peter Sandbach, Nathan Cuff, John Lamb, Len Sweeney, Sam Barron and the trainer himself who has outlined the Coral Brighton Belle as Allowdale Cazoo’s next target.

“It’s a stiff four bends there which suits Cazoo and she’s clearly running well – and is young enough to improve,” he said. “It’s great to win a big race here at Crayford – it’s a great track always looking to do different things, and nice to win the Peter Bussey given we had a finalist a couple of years back with Doghouse Dazzler, who’s just been retired.”

A finalist in the Puppy Classic at Nottingham last year, Allowdale Cazoo also reached the semi-finals of the Oaks and was purchased by the team at Hunt’s Cambridgeshire base after a 28.87sec Tralee win. She has also won over 575m at Romford.

“Cazoo caught my eye in an unraced stake at Tralee and probably wasn’t expected to be this good,” said Hunt, “but we did deal a deal with Aine Roche, who was a pleasure to deal with, and her performances mean she probably deserves to land a decent title.

“I’m just delighted for the lads. Patrick (Huckle) couldn’t be with us today but I know was watching the race by the side of a football pitch seeing his boy play. It’s just great to see many of the lads here and they’ll certainly enjoy this victory.”