BALLYMAC SLAPUP landed the major success his efforts have deserved with victory in the Gain Greyhound Nutrition Sovereign Stakes Final at Towcester on Sunday.

 

Trained by John Mullins for Chris Waters and Lee Calcutt, the June 2019 son of Ballymac Matt and Dolcino Rose was quickly away in the £5,000 decider and never headed as he completed an unbeaten run through the GBGB Category Two annual by crossing the line a length and a quarter in a fastest-of-event 15.58sec (normal).

 

Runner-up was the Eric Cantillon-trained Newtown Sydney who finished ahead of Seamus Cahill’s Blastoff Mason, but it was Ballymac Slapup who saved the best for last.

 

Victory for the three-year-old made it back-to-back wins for Mullins-trained runners in the GBGB Category Two annual with last year’s winner Shrewd Call, trained by David Mullins, succeeded by Ballymac Slaup, trained by brother John – and Lee Calcutt, part-owner of the winner, was full of praise for the handler.

 

“John’s just a brilliant trainer and you could see how Benji improved throughout the event, finishing with just a brilliant performance in the final. He’s done us proud today, although even since coming back from injury he’s been very consistent.

 

“I thought his trapping at Perry Barr was very good. He’s ended up finishing second there behind Gougane Jet and then won the Sovereign Sakes at Towcester.

 

“It’s brilliant for myself and Chris (Waters, part-owner) – and I’m beginning to think the dogs run better when I’m out of the country!” added Calcutt.

 

“I was in Spain recently when Signet Goofy won the (BresBet) Steel City Cup at Sheffield and I watched the Sovereign Stakes final in Cork on Sunday. I’ll have to think about booking a holiday next time we’re lucky enough to be in a final!”

 

Andy Lisemore, Towcester racing manager, said: “I thought overall it was a brilliant Gain Greyhound Nutrition Sovereign Stakes – and the final really was top quality. Ballymac Slapup has been a really consistent sprinter for a long time now. You always know when he traps he’s the most difficult of dogs to beat – and so it’s proved.

 

“Having said that Newtown Sydney has been showing incredible gears and winning races from impossible positions, so once he’s got himself into second it was definitely race-on. He wasn’t stopping, so fair play to Ballymac Slapup for keeping him at bay to the line. Well done to John (Mullins) and his team – and to Lee (Calcutt) and Chris (Waters).”

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=391290&raceId=891276