ROXHOLME KRISTOF posted one of the fastest times ever for Perry Barr’s 710m distance when producing a standard-setting performance in the heats of the RPGTV St Leger at the Birmingham track on Thursday.

The Hayley Keightley-trained 3 Steps To Victory winner was always handy in heat four before darting clear off the fourth bend before drawing right away to win by 12 lengths in 42.84sec (-35).

The victory formed part of a Hayley Keightley-trained treble on the night with Kristof’s litter-brother Roxholme Olaf maintaining his unbeaten UK career with a smart effort in his M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup heat and Ballydoyle Bee winning her St Leger heat.

Lining up in heat five of the stayers’ Classic, the 3 Steps and Kent St Leger finalist paced up to lead at the first bend, overcoming a bump in the process, before crossing the line clear of Sheldan (Kevin Boon) in 43.67sec (-35).

Mark Keightley, husband of the trainer, said: “It really was super night for the kennel, and Kristof especially was superb. I was delighted he put right those keyboard warriors after his defeat on Derby final night.

“I fully expected Greenhill Jack to get the better of him early, but the way the race panned out proved conclusively that he’s the real deal.

“His career is certain to be highlighted by some great performances mixed with the odd rollercoaster ride, but I’ll take all the positives from the potential negatives, and enjoy him for what he is – a very fast greyhound. 

“His brother Olaf is very likely to be exciting, too. I’m not sure I like the charging of the boxes which he’s done the last twice, but when he does come out he’s a sight to behold. His pace two-to-three was brilliant and can he pass a fast greyhound like it was a grader.

“Kristof and Olaf have both arrived at Perry Barr with big reputations but they’ve only crossed the first hurdle – there are bigger fences in front them next week! But both have decent semi-final make-ups.

“Ballydoyle Bee put up her best performance yet for us in her Leger heat we’re absolutely delighted with her. I’m convinced the few small changes Hayley (Keightley wife) and Craig (Morris, assistant) have made to her daily routine have proven positive in her attitude around the kennel. 

“Hopefully she presses on now. She’s a lovely, loving bitch who deserves her success.”

Ayamza Royale powered away to win heat two impressively, with Mark Wallis’s Cesarewitch champion turning handier than usual from her seeded slot outside before catching long-time leader Waikiki Bullet (Gary Ferguson) and race away to win by nine and a half lengths in 43.28sec (-35).

The other St Leger heats were won the Peter Harnden-trained fine all-the-way winner Salacres Pippy (44.01sec, -35), Kim Billingham’s Greenhill Dee (43.76sec -35), another excellent trap-to-liner, and Heather Dimmock’s fast-finishing Stardom (43.72sec -35).

That final heat saw a bad injury sustained by Kevin Boon’s Regency hero Zascandil, who was made comfortable at the track by the local vet ahead of an operation. 

The Towcester trainer said: “It was an extremely nasty injury, but the reaction to it at the track was extraordinary and I’d just like to praise everyone – from the member of Perry Barr’s trackstaff who managed to lift the dog off the track, to Kevin Hutton who carried him to the veterinary room.

“Then I’d like to thank the Perry Barr vet (Michelle Tromans) – she made Zascandil comfortable. Then I’d like to say a huge thanks to Rachel Corden (Arc’s greyhound operations director) who had left the track but returned straight away when she learned of the injury and dealt with the situation.

“Rachel then drove him to their vet, Gabriel Freiria, where he is due to be operated on – we exchanged texts in the early hours of the morning once Zascandil was comfortable and settled. This was incredible and shows huge dedication to the welfare of greyhounds. Arc have also covered the vets’ bills under their stadium scheme which, again, is wonderful.”

Martin Seal, Perry Barr racing manager, said: “We had some fantastic performances, but obviously our thoughts last night were very much with Kevin Boon and Zascandil. I have to commend our track vet Michelle Tromans for her fantastic work.

“Peter Harnden will have been delighted with his St Leger heat winner Salacres Pippy and you feel she’ll improve for the run, although Smallmead performed miracles to qualify after stumbling at the start and then finding early bother.

“It’s obvious Aayamza Royale is both talented and resilient, and never knows when she is beaten. She looks the only viable threat to Roxholme Kristof, who looks on another planet at this stage. His calculated time was inside the track record.

“Greenhill Dee justified Kim Billingham’s faith in her with a trap-to-line victory, while I think there’s probably more to come from Ballydoyle Bee who shoved her opponents out of the way at the first bend to set up a winning opportunity. Affirmed hit the deck here, but recovered and was on his feet in double-quick time.

Results: www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=367842&raceId=688896