DROOPYS VERVE roared to the fastest time of the night in the heats of the RPGTV Scottish Derby at Shawfield on Saturday as last year’s English Derby runner-up and All England Cup winner initiated a double for Angela Harrison.
Harrison, the recent Trainers’ Championship Meeting winner at Sheffield, sent out Droopys Verve (pictured above at Sheffield) to make all in heat one in 28.61sec (+40), less than a length off the track record for the 480m trip, before kennelmate Droopys Nadal came through strongly to deny Forest Jason in 28.85sec (+40) in heat three.
In between, another member of the successful Harrison team at the Owlerton Stadium Droopys Expert qualified behind Ireland’s heat two winner Boylesports Xtra (28.69sec +40), with the latter kick-starting not just a good night for the Irish, but for Paul Hennessy.
Hennessy, a three-time winner of the Scottish Derby and a perennial visitor to the Glasgow track for the Classic, later sent out Priceless Blake to win in heat five as the Irish entry collared longtime leader Jaguar Jack (Graham Rankin) in 29.00sec (+40).
Hennessy said: “We’re delighted with the way they both ran last night. It’s a very good renewal of the Scottish Derby and, although it’s a very different experience for us personally, it is still wonderful to be involved.”
The Gowran handler explained that over the years they had stayed with Willie and Sheena Frew. “Sadly our landlord and landlady have moved on to pastures new, so we are travelling over and back. Decky Thompson is doing the driving job at the moment and doing a great job!” he said.
Hennessy’s compatriot Pat Buckley, also a Scottish Derby winner, began his campaign well in the best possible style as his two entries finished first and second in the concluding heat six – Droopys Davy (28.78sec +40) leading home Braveheart Bobby.
Third here was the Liz McNair-trained King Dylan, who lines up as one of three runners for the kennel in next week’s semi-finals, King Cash qualifying behind Droopys Verve and King Turbo raising the roof as he came from last to first to win heat four.
The GBGB British Bred Greyhound of the Year looked in danger of not qualifying, before unleashing a devastating back-straight surge and then finishing well to deny Cooneen Jack (Jimmy Fenwick) by a short-head in 29.20sec (+40).
Shawfield racing manager Daniel Rankin said: “That was some run from King Turbo. He was running off at the first and second bends last year, but to be fair to him this time he was forced outside by another dog and did well not be involved in more trouble.
“He was also running off the fourth bend as well last year, but handled it a lot better this time around.”
Speaking after the draw was made for Saturday’s semi-finals by GBGB stipendiary steward Alex McTaggart, Rankin added: “It’s a great draw and should be another good night’s racing, after a cracking night for the heats.
“There were some really good runs. Turbo’s win was incredible, even though understandably the time wasn’t there. But I thought Droopys Expert ran a good race in defeat and Boylesports Xtra’s sectional on his way to winning was exceptional.
“Droopys Davy also impressed me and I think the Irish trainers will be pretty happy with the way the heats have worked out, and the draws for all in the semis looked okay, with Droopys Expert possibly getting a wider draw than ideal.”
Trap draw and form for Saturday’s semi-finals: www.bagsracing.com/assets/27-april—shawfield-adv.pdf