COOLAVANNY SHADO is clear favourite with the sponsors to win tonight’s BresBet 76th East Anglian Greyhound Derby after a fastest-of-the-year victory in the second semi-final of the famous competition at the east coast venue last Wednesday.

Trained by Patrick Janssens, the June 2020 son of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Perlena, who had set the standard with a trap-to-line victory in the first round before defeat behind Carols Legacy in the second round, was back to his brilliant best as he broke well this time and was never headed.

Drawing right away, Coolavanny Shado crossed the line nine and three-quarter lengths clear of local hopes Gracias Lorenzo (Mark Brighton) and Maxi Twister (Sandra Clayton) in 27.33sec (normal) for the 462m trip, just over two lengths outside the track record held by Fear Zafonic (27.17sec), set during this event in 2010.

A delighted winning trainer Janssens said afterwards: “He came away only average but showed phenomenal pace from two to three. He’s only had seven races in his life, has raced only against the best, and is getting better and better. We’re in the final but with five other good rivals, so you can take nothing for granted. He’s still got to do things right.

“Shado came over with the Derby in mind but had a setback. That said he needed rest and that’s what he got. He’s back now, running well, and hopefully continues to progress. With luck he’ll be a Derby dog next year and experience-wise could be at his peak then.

“It’s been a good competition for us. We won it with Kilara Lion and went close with Bockos Jon Jo and Seaglass Tiger. We love the Yarmouth Derby and fingers crossed for Wednesday. It’s a busy time for us, but nights like Wednesday make it worth it.”

Carols Legacy landed the spoils in a blanket finish to the first semi-final as Seamus Cahill’s dog edged out Hopes Paddington (Mark Wallis) and Drahan Jet, a kennelmate of the winner, with just over half a length covering the first three home.

Drahan Jet showed best into the bend just ahead of Carols Legacy, with Hopes Paddington enjoying a clear path off the second bend to join issue with the front pair rounding the last bend, but the momentum was always just with the Cahill runner who won by half a length from the Wallis-trained tracker in 27.98sec (normal).

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s final, Yarmouth director Simon Franklin said: “We’ve got a good final to look forward to – a very highly-rated favourite but with some serious rivals against him, plus there’s local interest too, which is always good.

“We moved the semi-finals on a week following the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth but have enjoyed a good crowd for the semis. Many people had booked in for the final but understood the situation – and I’m delighted a good many are returning on Wednesday for the final. It should be another fantastic night here.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389075&raceId=872851

 

MAKEIT FOR WAZ posted the fastest time in the event with a brilliant 29.14sec (normal) in the second semi-final of the bet365 Empress Stakes at Towcester last Sunday.

Completing a littermate double in the semi-finals for local trainer Frank Gray, the February 2020 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Alien Nipper was simply faultless as she blitzed to a 4.14sec sectional on her way to a two and a half lengths success over Droopys Optimal (Eric Cantillon) and Fabulous Azurra (Patrick Janssens).

In winning, Makeit For Waz landed a six-timer and scored a brilliant eleventh win in her last 12 starts to continue her superb run for form at the Northamptonshire venue, where she first shot to prominence with a second-round victory in the Derby, and at Romford where Gray’s still-improving bitch has also racked up the wins.

Makeit For Waz’s victory followed that of kennelmate and litter-sister Makeit Beauty in the first semi-final as the trap six runner landed a surprise but deserved 16-1 success – for good measure leading home another Gray-trained runner in Makeit Bombay.

Pacing up well and always handy, crowding and slower starts for the remainder saw the kennelmates Makeit Beauty and Makeit Bombay dominate from the first bend onwards, with Makeit Beauty just getting the verdict as they crossed the line. The winning margin was a short-head, with the winning time 29.81sec (normal).

Towcester consultant and spokesman Nathan Corden congratulated Frank Gray for landing both semi-finals of the bitches-only GBGB Category One and for achieving the feat of three finalists in next week’s £10,000-to-the-winner decider.

Corden said: “It was certainly a great day for Frank (Gray) and the team. To win both semi-finals was one thing, but for good measure getting a third runner into the final was also something else – and thanks to sponsors bet365 they’re racing for £10,000 on Sunday.

“Makeit For Waz is running exceptionally well. She’s a very consistent and obviously very fast bitch, but the kennel will also have been delighted with their other semi-final winner Makeit Beauty, while Makeit Bombay was purchased at the Towcester sale in July so it’s great to see her in a Category One final already.

“Towcester will stage another Greyhound Trader sale on October 5 – and we’re delighted how that’s all going given at the Oxford sale last week we saw history made when Drumcrow Mini, an April 21 daughter of Droopys Sydney by Drumcrow Blossom, made a staggering £16,300 at auction.

“Ironically she, too, is joining Frank Gray’s kennels and will look to compete in the very best of races at Oxford in the very future. In total, just over £75,000 exchanged hands on the day with a high percentage of greyhounds being purchased to run at Oxford.”

Trap draw and form for Sunday’s final: https://towcester-racecourse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/EMP.pdf

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389099&raceId=874208

 

SIGNET DENVER secured the track record for himself in the semi-finals of the 76th British Bred Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes at Swindon last Sunday.

Just a week after equalling the mark set by littermate Signet Otis, who also matched his own figures from seven days previous to that, Signet Denver was at his brilliant best in the second semi-final of the British-bred showpiece when not only rewriting the record books but helping his trainer, breeder and part-owner Kevin Hutton to an incredible feat.

Hutton sent out all three semi-final winners of the 76th British Bred Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes at the Blunsdon venue – with members of the same extraordinary litter.

More than that, five members of his Magical Bale-Forest Natalee, Jan 2020, litter will now contest Sunday’s £13,000-to-the-winner GBGB Category One decider.

Signet Otis grabbed gold in heat one as he led home litter sister Westwell Emer for a neck victory. The pair were soon handy after decent start and, while kept company to halfway by Valentino (Dave Puddy), proved too strong for that rival to set up a Hutton-trained one-two. The winning time for the 476m trip was 27.99sec (+20).

Signet Denver was next up in the second semi-final and the red-jacketed runner justified favouritism in some style, leading into the first bend and never looking in trouble as he crossed the line two lengths clear of littermate Signet Goofy (John Mullins) in 27.69sec (+20), which clipped six spots of his and Signet Otis’s previous joint-best.

Sleek By Design, another member of the litter, then produced a strong-running effort to win the third semi-final to complete a Hutton-trained hat-trick in the Produce semis. Catching early leader Get On Hilda (Seamus Cahill) down the back, the eventual winner went on to score by to lengths from Carol Weatherall’s No Rush in 28.13sec (+20).

As breeder it means new Oxford-based trainer Kevin Hutton has five of the runners in Sunday’s final – and trains four of them, with John Mullins handling Signet Goofy. No Rush, a June 2020 daughter of King Elvis and Vahsel Bay, completes the field in the Swindon line-up for Monmore handler Carol Weatherall.

“It was a dream night in many ways,” said Hutton. “We were obviously delighted to qualify our own four remaining entries, but then to also Goofy safely through as well was great.

“It’s an incredible achievement by Natalee to see five of her Bale litter into the final, but we certainly couldn’t have done it without the excellent rearing of the litter from John Mullins and the patient schooling from David Pruhs.

“I think the draw has worked out okay – perhaps we might have swapped Emer and Otis around – but it is what it is and they’ve all come out of the semi-finals in great shape.”

Trap draw and form for Sunday’s final: 1 Signet Otis, 2 Westwell Emer, 3 Sleek By Design, 4 Signet Denver, 5 Signet Goofy (m), 6 No Rush (w).

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389108&raceId=873139

 

LENSON DOOLIN moved a step closer to a famous double when winning the first semi-final of the Arc Champion Hurdle at Central Park last Sunday.

Trained by Ricky Holloway and already winner of the Arc Springbok at the Kent venue earlier this year, the May 2019 son of Azza Azza Azza and The Other Tessa followed up his heat success with another authoritative display.

A slick start and 3.11sec sectional recorded set up a four-length victory over Southern Seattle (Barry O’Sullivan) and fellow heat winner Ardnasool Jet (Julie Luckhurst). The winning time was a fastest-of-event 29.40sec (-10).

Lenson Doolin’s trainer Holloway will be doubly handed in Sunday’s final of the GBGB Category One hurdles annual after Tullig Bee qualified from the second semi.

Always handy, the two-year-old led off the second bend but failed to hold the strong-running Borna Rhythm, who struck for Tony Collett, winning by half a length from Tullig Bee. Lemming Shoni (Jim Reynolds) qualified in third here, while the winning time for the January 2019 son of Cloran Paddy and Borna Gem was 30.19sec (-10).

It all means Lenson Doolin will line up a red-hot favourite for Sunday’s Arc Champion Hurdle Final, aiming to add to his trainer Ricky Holloway’s fine record in the event.

He said: “I thought it was a stunning victory from Doolin and, for sure, he’s close to a big double, providing he gets a decent run at it. He certainly confirmed his status as number one hurdler this year.

“I actually thought his kennel companion Ritzy Spirit looked sure to qualify as well until a rival decided otherwise! But thankfully Tullig Bee, who has recently rejoined our kennel after being a Springbok finalist for us earlier this year, is in the final.

“For Lenson Doolin it’s a fourth Category One final, while he also lines up as the Kent Champion Hurdle winner.

“It’s basically his to lose and he has to do everything right on the night. It’s a hurdles race and we know anything can happen. That’s what makes the racing so exciting and to win a sixth Champion Hurdle would be special for all of us.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389101&raceId=873127

Trap draw for Sunday’s final: https://www.centralparkstadium.co.uk/assets/uploaded/files/documents/sunday-25th-september-champion-hurdle.pdf

 

ROMEO HOTSHOT posted the fastest time as the Coral Romford Puppy Cup kicked off with six heats over 400m at Romford on Friday.

Representing the kennel which has won the last two Puppy Cups courtesy of Tenpin (2020) and Brookside Richie (2021), the David Mullins-trained January 2021 son of Magic Sprite and Buckos Lass was soon in command after a fast start before running out a one-and-three-quarter lengths winner from Droopys By Amile (Nathan Hunt) and Old Fort Crystal, another Mullins runner, in 23.71sec (+20).

Training honours in Friday’s heats of the GBGB Category One event were shared by Liz McNair and Mark Wallis with a brace of wins apiece for each kennel.

First up was Queen Pink in heat one as the January 2021 daughter of King Sheeran and King Danni paced up to lead the first bend to win by three and a half lengths from Bubbly Simba (Paul Young) and Suntan (Jean Liles). The winning time was a fast 23.76sec (+20).

Litter brother King Ezra then completed the McNair double in heat three as the youngster rode a bump at the first bend before going on to score by two and three-quarter lengths from Ballymac Diverse (John Mullins) and Outlander (Paul Crowson) in 23.94sec (+20).

Ranches King landed the first leg of a Wallis heat double in heat two as the fast-starting November 2020 son of King Elvis and Swift Bach was never trouble as he also crossed the line two and three-quarter lengths clear of the David Mullins-trained pair of Bales Legacy and Crafty San Diego in 24.10sec (-20).

For good measure, litter brother Slider Mccoy then matched the feat of the McNair runners with a family double in heat four as he led down the back-straight on his way to a one and a half lengths win over Fabulous Bling (David Mullins) and Knockoff Eske (Irene Barnard) in 23.92sec (-20).

Heat five went to the Gemma Evans-trained Chelms Marley, an October 2020 son of Droopys Buick and Melodys Molly, as the local hope raced to a slick 3.75sec sectional on his way to a three-quarter length success over Romeo Mission (David Mullins) and Droopys Joan (Jamie Kingsley) in an impressive 23.79sec (+20).

Mark Arkell, Romford’s deputy racing manager, said: “Friday was a fantastic night’s racing – and we’ve got another coming up this Friday for the semi-finals! These are a special bunch of youngsters we’ve got for the Puppy Cup and there was a good mix of home and away trainers qualifying.

“Mark Wallis and Liz McNair, who both won two heats each, will be most pleased with how their greyhounds ran – almost as much as David Mullins with his own six qualifiers! He’ll be hoping to take his chances and make the final again this year – the pressure’s on again after winning this event for the last two years!

“We had plenty of impressive performances in the heats, but now it’s down to the first two qualifying from the semi-finals and, with this being a puppy competition, anything can happen. Good luck to all those involved – and roll on Friday.”

Trap draw and form for Friday’s semi-finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Romford/form-guides/Trap-Draws_2022-09-16-210346.pdf

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389158&raceId=873933

 

HAVANA LOVER set the standard in the heats of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger at Perry Barr last Thursday as Liz McNair’s runner sluiced home in heat two of the stayers’ Classic over 710m.

Run a week later than scheduled due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the St Leger heats shared the stage with the remaining heats of the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory Of Michael Lambe Senior for what was a superb night’s open racing at the Birmingham venue with two GBGB Category One events on the card.

Pacing up handily behind fast-starting Droopys Soldier (Michael Hurst), Havana Lover took command after halfway and never looked in danger as the August 2020 daughter of Laughil Blake and Love Henry raced away to win by almost nine lengths from Chelms Club (Jason Heath) and Ratchies Saphire (Gary Ferguson) in 43.02sec (-20).

Next quickest time was posted by Callmesteve in heat four as the John Mullins-trained runner reversed recent JenningsBetSelect Stayers form at Nottingham with Savana Ruinart (Diane Henry).

Always handy as Savana Ruinart set the tempo, Callmesteve and Droopys Jungle (Matt Dartnall) ultimately proved too strong as the eventual winner challenged and passed the leader off the last bend before holding Droopys Jungle to the line, winning by a short-head in 43.23sec (-20) with Savana Ruinart qualifying in third.

The St Leger heats kicked off with victory for the Tom Heilbron-trained Darbys Delight (43.57sec -20) in heat one, who finished best to grab Cochise (Richard Rees) on the run for home to win by three-quarters of a length with Guiri Steve (Chris Fereday), a finalist last year, qualifying in third.

Ireland struck in heat three as the Paul Matthews-trained Famous Eight, a three-time Shelbourne Park winner, produced a strong-running performance to reel in Antigua Sugar (Mark Wallis) for a three-and-a-half length success over that rival and Maglass Brave (Nathan Hunt) in 43.54sec (-20).

Derby finalist Savana Beau was very impressive in winning heat five as the Diane Henry-trained runner stepped up to six bends in some style, leading early before landing an eight-length success in 43.42sec (-20) from Ramors Jet (Peter Holland) and local hope Tingo Maria (David Welding).

Marathon star Savana Volcano, another finalist from last year, then landed a double for Diane Henry in heat six as the now four-year-old made a fantastic return to the track following a lay-off with a last-gasp victory over Baggios Champ (Frank Bryce) and Amaze Me See (Richard Rees) in 43.47sec – in one of the best finishes of the night.

Perry Barr racing manager Martin Seal said: “The Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger heats proved a real showcase for the younger guard of the stayers in particular, with Havana Lover, Irish entry Famous Eight and Savana Beau testing their ability to the max by stepping up to this demanding 710m trip.

“All three emerged with their reputations enhanced and, with Darbys Delight and Callmesteve underlining the notable impressions both have made in the past six months, we have many contenders ready to play a major part in the outcome of this Classic – and that includes last year’s finalist and marathon star Savana Volcano.

“She also underlined just how crucial it is to possess deep reserves of stamina in the St Leger with a last-to-first short-head success in the final heat, giving Diane Henry three representatives in Thursday’s semi-finals. Other qualifiers who have yet to fully declare their hand include Antigua Sugar, Savana Ruinart, Ramors Jet and Amaze Me Seb.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389077&raceId=872877

 

INNFIELD TROJAN posted the fastest time of the five remaining heats of the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory of M Lambe Senior at Perry Barr last Thursday.

Upgraded to GBGB Category One status in 2021 and sponsored by the family in memory of Michael Lambe, father of trainer John, the 480m competition once again shared centre-stage with six heats of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger on a superb night’s racing at the West Midlands venue

Lining up in heat three of the event, the Tom Heilbron-trained Innfield Trojan made all to clock 28.35sec (-10) as he ran out a two-and-a-quarter length winner from Master Ten Ten (Sharon Thompson) and Frankies Jet (Gary Ferguson) to continue his fine run of form after finishing third in Monmore’s Ladbrokes Gold Cup.

Following the victory of Angie Kibble’s Ballymac Conti in the only Birmingham Cup heat run seven days previously given the suspension of racing after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the first of the night’s heats was won by Matt Dartnall’s Ivanexile as he won in trap-to-line style from Bambis Magic (Richard Rees) and Mystical Mario (John Lambe).

Ivanexile’s winning time for heat two was 28.37sec (-10), just a quarter of a length slower than the standard-setting performance of Innfield Trojan.

Even closer to Innfield Trojan’s effort was the 28.36sec (-10) posted by Derby Plate runner-up Goldies Perryman in heat five as Paul Foster’s dog produced a strong-running display to catch Daring Diese (Katie O’Flaherty) before crossing the line two lengths clear of Chelms Yes (Gemma Evans) and Go Commando (Gary Ferguson).

A good night for the Richard Rees kennel began with the comeback victory of Hilight Arkle in heat four as he edged out Vixons Flyer (Brian Thompson) by a short-head after a tremendous battle between the pair. The winning time was 28.76sec (-10), with Chelms Chris (John Mullins) qualifying in third.

Burnchurch Mick then completed a Birmingham Cup heat double for Hove handler Rees in the sixth and final heat as a show of superb early pace from the Ladbrokes Winter Derby winner set up a six-and-a-half lengths success over kennelmate Drive On Lad and God Bless (Darryl Porter) in 28.41sec (-10).

Perry Barr racing manager Martin Seal said: “The Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger and M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup In Memory Of Michael Lambe Senior are now fully underway following a brief adjournment last week and the first-round action only served to underline just how competitive these events are – and how difficult it will be to emerge victorious come their conclusion.

“The M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup is never an event for the faint-hearted, with no quarter asked or given at any stage of the competition. Searing early pace, strength and courage, are prerequisites for success in this Category On event – and the eventual champion will have well and truly earned their title.

“Richard Rees notched a double. His Burnchurch Mick bounced back to form, plus later on it was great to see kennelmate Hilight Arkle back in the winner’s enclosure, his career path having been interrupted on many occasions in the past.

“Ivanexile appears a youngster seriously going places, while Innfield Trojan and Goldies Perryman are talented individuals who have the ability to further make their mark on this competition.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389077&raceId=872877