ROMEO LIBERTY heads into Sunday’s semi-finals of the BGBF 80th Two Year Old Produce Stakes at Towcester as the fastest second round winner after setting the standard  last weekend for Newcastle trainer Tom Heilbron.

Soon clear in heat two of the 500m British-bred showcase, the Dave Firmager-owned and bred May 2024 son of Aston Rupee and Fabulous Skylar went away for a two-length success over As Happy As Bryn (Heather Dimmock) in 28.92sec (normal) to secure his place in the semi-finals, alongside a rare Irish entry for the competition in Pat Buckley’s Singalong Cherry, also a second round winner.

Well away and quickly in a pitch, the Gilbert Anderson-bred September 2024 daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Singalong Sally narrowly edged out Countess Penny (Richard Taberner) in 29.16sec (-10) for the 500m big-race trip.

The John Flaherty-bred and trained Ballycian Boy, an August 2024 son of Dromana Bucko and Greenwell Elle, landed heat three in 29.19sec (normal), while the Phil Milner-bred and trainer Keefill Walker, an October 2024 son of Droopys Addition and Keefill Peppa, struck in heat four in 28.98sec (normal) – another fast time which underlined the quality of this year’s renewal, said Liz Mort, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum.

“It think it’s an excellent renewal of the Produce Stakes and full marks – and thanks – to Towcester for taking it on. It’s an ideal track for these young dogs, and a great historic competition for many years held at Swindon and before then at Eastville, Bristol.

“And what good litters we had whelped in 2024, the year in which this year’s Produce Stakes is limited to. And it’s certainly making for a good headline that we have an Irish trained greyhound in the event, albeit Pat’s (Buckley) bitch is very much British-bred here by Gilbert (Anderson).

“After Sunday’s second round – or quarter-finals if you like – we have two excellent semi-finals to look forward to this weekend before our final six will be known for this year’s BGBF 80th Two Year Old Produce Stakes decider on Sunday, September 20.”