LIZ MORT, chair of the British Greyhound Breeders Forum, congratulated trainer Laurence Tuffin after the Towcester handler landed a one-two in the BGBF British St Leger Final at Doncaster last week.

 

Romeo Riot led home kennelmate Romeo Trooper to make it a fantastic night at the south Yorkshire venue for Tuffin – not to mention breeder of the pair, the Derby-winning owner and breeder Dave Firmager – with strong-running efforts from the pair enough to see them score a Romeo pre-fixed first and second in the GBGB Category Two event.

 

However, it was Snooty Rose (Craig Williams) who broke first and set the early fractions before Romeo Trooper produced a superb burst of early and middle pace to take command off the second bend and crucially get in front of Moments Of Magic (Kevin Hutton) which put the favourite under pressure.

 

Hutton’s runner kept up her challenge behind the leader, but in behind her Romeo Riot was making real headway and, with form over further including finishing second to Space Jet in the Original Foods Dorando Marathon (942m) at Towcester on Derby final night, he ultimately proved too strong for his rivals.

 

Hitting the front of the run for the line, Romeo Riot crossed the line a length clear of Romeo Trooper with Moments Of Magic in third. The winning time for the May 2019 son of Kinloch Brae and Fabulous Pin for the 661m trip was 43.38sec (-120).

 

BGBF chair Liz Mort said: “Well done to all after a great final of the BGBF British Bred St Leger.

 

“Heavy rain made the track on the slow side, resulting in more of a test of stamina than in the heats, and Romeo Riot – who, remember, was second in the Dorando, so is a true stayer – showed his resilience to overtake kennelmate Romeo Trooper on the final stretch and power home by a length.

 

“Both were bred by David Firmager, but from different litters. Both run in David’s name, although Romeo Riot was actually bought by trainer Laurence Tuffin’s Tuftys Racing Syndicate a while ago – they just didn’t get round to the Transfer of Ownership forms, but will be very soon!

 

“Congratulations to connections of the other four finalists – to Kevin Hutton and the Westwell Syndicate’s third placed Moments of Magic, Paul Miller’s Mahoonagh Jap, Barrie Draper’s Worsboro Kingman (owned by John Kendrick) and Craig Williams’ Snooty Rose (Matthew Kirk and Mark Boddice).

 

“Thanks to the team at Doncaster for hosting our St Leger and to SIS for supporting our series of GBGB Category Two competitions.”

 

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=391488&raceId=892720