SAVANA RUINART set the standard in the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Gold Collar at Crayford on Saturday as the Diane Henry-trained runner produced a show of pace and power to land an impressive – and fastest – victory in the second semi of the GBGB Category One event over 540m.

 

The Kent track is hosting no fewer than three Category Ones at the same time, plus a Category Three, and it was the March 2019 daughter of Kinloch Brae and Redzer Ruby who starred over six bends to help make it a good morning for the Henry kennel, who would later land a Cesarewitch heat with Savana Volcano.

 

However, it was Savana Ruinart who grabbed the headlines in the Gold Collar as a turn of early pace saw her dominate off the second bend, riding a bump before going on and drawing clear impressively to win by four and a quarter lengths from Dapper Rodney (Nathan Hunt), with reigning champion Warzone Tom (Liz McNair) eliminated in third.

 

The winning time for the Arc Select Stayers winner and St Leger third was 33.50sec (normal), the result of a performance which delighted his handler Henry, who said: “I’m delighted to have Ruinart in the Gold Collar final. She’s such a versatile bitch, only having a handful of races this year, but enjoying success already.

 

“Now she’s in another final at Crayford which is great for her. I’m happy enough with the draw for the final and know she can do it at both ends. If she doesn’t take the lead she’ll be running on strongly given a clean-run race.”

 

Peejays Forever struck for Jason Gornall in the first semi as the Henlow raider maintained an unbeaten record at Crayford in customary front-running style.

 

Racing to a fastest-of-the-round 12.92sec sectional, the April 2020 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Marlfield Sue always held the advantage before crossing the line a length clear of Feora Noel (Liz McNair) in 33.89sec (normal).

 

Nipsey Hustle improved his fine racing record still further in the third semi-final as Carol Weatherall’s much-experienced sort was soon in charge off the back of a 12.89sec split on his way to a 33.94sec (normal) victory, the March 2019 son of Holdem Spy and Wont Fall Behind leading home Nissels Thunder (Dave Lee) by one and three-quarter lengths.

 

Crayford racing manager Danny Rayment said: “It looks a very competitive Ladbrokes Gold Collar Final – perhaps not the one we expected from the outset but nevertheless a really good one. It promises to be a great meeting all-round on Saturday.

 

“Well done to Diane Henry and Kevin Boothby who have who three finalists on Saturday’s card with two runners in the Cesarewitch final with the Savanas, Volcano and Regera, as well Savana Ruinart in the Gold Collar – and I think Ruinart is the one to beat in what will be the eighth Crayford running of the Ladbrokes Gold Collar.

 

“With a clear run he’d be hard to hold, although both Peejays Forever and Feora Noel have done nothing wrong so far round here.”

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=391194&raceId=890154

 

Trap draw for Saturday’s finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Crayford/form-guides/Crayford-Finals-Form-Saturday-Morning-26th-November-2022.pdf