BROOKSIDE RICHIE gave the track record another shake when racing away for a commanding victory in the first semi-final of the BresBet Steel City Cup at Sheffield on Saturday.

 

The Jimmy Fenwick-trained Select Stakes winner was well away and soon in control as the ante-post favourite, an October 2019 son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Greatest, scooted clear to come home three and a quarter lengths clear of Tom Heilbron’s Freedom Epic in 28.37sec (+20), just ten spots off Domino Storm’s 28.27sec best set in 2016.

 

The Newcastle-based trainer was delighted afterwards with the run, commenting: “It was some performance really. He broke well, ran the first and second bends well, and has been foot-perfect here at Sheffield so far and hopefully that’s the case next week now – but fair play to Tom’s (Heilbron) dog, who ran a good race behind him.

 

“There’s no doubt Richie’s running the track well but actually his form in his last few races has been really good – and the times have been quick. He might not have things his own way in the final so he’ll have to do things right, but so far, so good.”

 

Derby semi-finalist Signet Goofy produced an impressive effort in the second semi-final as the January 2020 son of Magical Bale and Forest Natalee, the Produce Stakes third, was never threatened as he drew two and a half lengths clear of Breaghmore Patch (Garry Hamilton) to score by two and a half lengths in 28.51sec (+20).

 

Winning trainer John Mullins said: “I’m very happy with that. It’s great to see him win his semi-final, but he’s got to do it again in the final now. We’ll see what he can do, but he’s certainly done it well. The runner-up gave him a battle down the back and we know it’ll be a tough final next week, but I’m happy where he’s at now.”

 

Move Over Cha emulated trackmate Brookside Richie when repeating his heat win in the third semi-final as the Monmore Gold Cup champion unleashed a customary burst of early pace to lead at the first bend before holding the strong-running Carrowkeal Syd (Lisa Stephenson) by half a length in 28.74sec (+20).

 

Ian Sutherland, representing winning trainer Angela Harrison, said: “He’s run well and done his job and we’re pleased to be in the final. I’m not absolutely sure Sheffield plays to his strengths but he’s in the final and hopefully comes out running – that’s when he’s at his best. There’s five railers in the final so we’ll see what happens.”

  

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389777&raceId=878953

 

Trap draw for Saturday’s BresBet Steel City Cup Final: 1 Move Over Cha, 2 Carrowkeal Syd, 3 Breaghmore Patch, 4 Freedom Epic, 5 Brookside Richie, 6 Signet Goofy (m).