BLACKSTONE MILO heads to Nottingham next for the Star Sports & Arc Greyhound Derby in winning form having landed an emotional success in The Brinkleys Poet At Stud Young Guns – a brand new event – at Sheffield on Tuesday.

Trained by Ted Soppitt for his wife Sue, Daryl Bear and the family of the late John Proctor, Blackstone Milo never looked in trouble after breaking smartly to lead outside on his way to repeating an impressive heat victory with an equally fluent victory in the £3,000 final.

The October 2018 son of Droopys Jet and Calzaghe Jan was always in command and crossed the line two lengths clear of kennelmate Dettori Day in 27.48sec for a superb one-two in the GBGB Category Two decider event for Newcastle trainer Soppitt.

“That’s for John,” said the handler afterwards, in reference to last week’s sudden passing of John Proctor, leading owner of greyhounds such as 2016 English Derby runner-up Droopys Roddick. “John loved his greyhounds and he was so excited by this boy.

“My sincere condolences to his family – he’s a huge loss to the sport.”

Of Blackstone Milo, Soppitt said: “He lost his confidence after being knocked over at Newcastle, which is why we missed Romford [Puppy Cup] with him. He came here to boost his confidence with trials and then the Young Guns. It certainly worked.

“He goes to Nottingham in really good form, but I’m also delighted for Dettori Day finishing second. They’re litter brothers, bred by Paddy Sinnott in Ireland, and he did a fantastic job with them. We’re chuffed to bits, but very emotional at the same time.

“The Derby will keep us but for sure, but there’s generally a lack of open races in the north of England which will mean a lot of travelling. Hopefully something can be sorted.

The Brinkleys Poet At Stud Young Guns at Sheffield is one of two new competitions run concurrently at the Owlerton venue and at Central Park, with the final of the southern running of the initiative taking place at the Kent track on Sunday.

They are being sponsored by former Gymcrack and Select Stakes champion Brinkleys Poet’s owner Nic Jeal who, with wife Amanda, have the Antigua-prefixed greyhounds.

“Brinkleys Poet’s Gymcrack victory at Kinsley reignited our interest in the sport,” he said. “I love puppy events, seeing young dogs progress, and thought this was the best way in a difficult year to give owners and trainers of young dogs something to plan for.

“Tuesday at Sheffield went incredibly well. The track staff were fantastic and looked after us so well and it was superb to see [Brinkleys] Poet lead the parade for the final – he looked an absolute picture.

“Thanks to Pat Rosney and the Merefield Stud for bringing him to the track. It was also a lovely touch from the management to allow me to see Poet beforehand – it was great to see him. He really is in superb condition and a great credit to Merefield Stud.”

“We also had a very classy Young Guns winner in Blackstone Milo who looks a fantastic pup with a big future ahead of him. It’s quite ironic I suppose that he heads to the Derby now at Nottingham – and he’s drawn our own Hopes Doggy in the same heat!”

Dave Perry, venue director at Owlerton Stadium, said: “Well done to Ted (Soppitt) for his one-two in the Young Guns – and good luck to Blackstone Milo in the Derby. Both he and [Gain 3 Steps winner] Roxholme Kristof could go a long way in the Derby.

“Both have been really impressive here at Sheffield and have given greyhound fans a real treat in these two competitions.

“Many thanks to the Jeals for sponsoring this new competition here. It’s a fantastic idea to have two puppy events in the north and south at the same time – serving both northern and southern-based trainers. We’ll talk to Nic (Jeal) but we’d love to do the same in 2021.”