ANDREW MASCARENHAS, director of racing at Owlerton Stadium, highlighted the efforts of Patrick Janssens’ team as Sheffield kicked off the BresBet Steel City Cup with six heats.

“Coming into the event, Patrick always looked to have a very strong team and ended the afternoon with a treble which wasn’t the biggest surprise – and you’d have to say that Romeo Steel led the way for him.

“He ran really well and looks to follow up his Yarmouth Derby win. At this stage he’s favourite to do so, especially after what was a routine trap-to-line victory in the heats.

“Having said that, Craig Morris’s Chelms Bear was the most eye-catching – and not for the first time! He overcame early traffic before taking off down the back-straight to record the fastest time of the day which is no mean feat from off the pace as such.

“Like Romeo Steel he’s looking to go back-to-back in big races after winning the Birmingham Cup.

“I suppose Tom (Heilbron) will have mixed feelings after the heats. He scored a double with Toddys Tank and Deerjet Rocket, although has unfortunately had to withdraw Deerjet Rocket from this weekend’s semi-finals.

“And we’re looking forward to those, especially the third semi-final which looks a real cracker.”

The 500m event began with the first of the Patrick Janssens-trained winners as Droopys Trade was soon in front for a one and a half length victory over local hope Romeo On Point (Kelly Hodson) in 28.88sec (normal).

The winner’s kennelmate Romeo Steel then made all in heat two in 28.73sec (normal) from Timmys Hunter (Pat Curtin), while the Janssens hat-trick was later completed by Produce Stakes runner-up Romeo Ability in heat four as he soon led in 28.94sec, crossing the line four and a half lengths clear of Jacktavern Chief (Glenn Foot) in 28.94sec (normal).

Tom Heilbron weighed in with a heat double, sending out the subsequent withdrawn Deerjet Rocket to lead home Keefil Goose (Phil Milner) in 28.84sec (normal) in heat three, while the Newcastle trainer also struck with Toddys Tank in heat five.

The Arena Racing Company Birmingham Cup fourth led from trap to line in 28.71sec, winning by three and a half lengths in front of Romeo Force (Kelly Hodson).

Chelms Bear then saved the best for last with a fastest-of-the-afternoon 28.70sec (normal) as the Craig Morris-trained Arena Racing Company Birmingham Cup winner powered to the front past halfway for a runaway seven and three-quarter lengths success over Untold Euro (Dean Blackbird).