BROOKSIDE RICHIE set the standard in the heats of the BresBet Steel City Cup at Sheffield on Saturday as the Jimmy Fenwick-trained star produced a performance of pace and power to impress in heat three of the 500m annual.

 

The Newcastle raider, whose previous start had seen the October 2019 son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Greatest land the Select Stakes at Nottingham, was quickly into stride – albeit was led from the boxes by the fast-starting Breaghmore Patch (Garry Hamilton). However, the eventual winner was soon on terms to lead at the bend.

 

Thereafter, Brookside Richie was away and clear and powered to a seven-and-a-half length success over Breaghmore Patch and last year’s 3 Steps winner Savana Eruption (Diane Henry) with the winning time a fast 28.39sec (+20).

 

The GBGB Category One competition kicked off with victory for another Newcastle runner in the shape of recent Monmore Gold Cup winner Move Over Cha, with Angela Harrison’s August 2020 son of Gaytime Hawk and Move Over Eliza soon in command in heat one.

 

Well away, Move Over Cha soon had his rivals under pressure, although local hope Skywalker Mint (Kirsty Grayson) produced a strong-running effort in behind to get within half a length of the winner, with Signet Goofy (John Mullins) crossing the line a close-up third. The winning time was 28.70sec (+20).

 

Droopys Yogi struck for Sheffield handler Barrie Draper in heat two as, overcoming a bump from the traps, made the bend in front to scoot clear by two and a quarter lengths clear of Narcos The Great (Stuart Tighe) and Blackhouse Harry (Stuart Ray) in 28.61sec (+20).

 

Tom Heilbron’s Freedom Epic (28.71sec +20) made all in heat four impressively from Trickys Rocket (Robert Holt) and Distant Brian (Barrie Draper); Derby Plate champion Chelms Switch finished best to deny Moanteen Mikey (Angela Harrison) and Droopys Quiktime (Garry Hamilton) in heat five, while Carrowkeal Syd (Lisa Stephenson) rounded off the night with a home victory in heat six from Geelo Striker (Sean Davy) and Anynamewilldo (Tom Heilbron). The winning time was 28.96sec (+20).

 

Mat Stagg, deputy racing manager at the Owlerton Stadium, said: “There was some great racing here on Saturday, albeit we had to deal with one or two issues.

 

“We had two delays to racing making us 45 minutes late. There was an issue with the power to the hare system, one of them before heat three when the runners had to be taken out of the traps. It wasn’t ideal but clearly caused Brookside Richie no issues.

 

“He produced the standout performance of the night and possibly the whole year. His  28.39sec was the fastest of the year and, as soon as he led at the first bend, there was no catching him and he seemed to just race further and further away.

 

“He’s drawn the one-box in the semis which will be a massive positive for the greyhound.

 

“I also thought Droopys Yogi stood out. He ran brilliantly after getting crowded at the start to win a touch comfortably and he’s also been rewarded with the one-box in the semi-final which will again massively help his chances.

 

“I’d also like to give Droopys Quiktime a mention who, in defeat behind Chelms Switch and Moanteen Mikey, was still eye-catching. He was one of the slowest out of the boxes and ran into trouble at the second bend but from being around five lengths off the leader coming down the home-straight he’d managed to grab third pretty much alongside the front two. We’re set for three cracking semi-finals.”

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389631&raceId=877778

 

Trap draw for Saturday’s BresBet Steel City Cup semi-finals: https://owlertonstadium.co.uk/events/saturday-8th-october-bresbet-steel-city-cup-semi-final/