YARMOUTH was witness to two of the great runs at the track on Monday as Bo Shine Bullet and then Blue Tick George ran amok in their respective semi-finals of the George Ing St Leger.

First up was Mark Wallis’s Bo Shine Bullet as the Golden Jacket finalist raced to a fast 16.30sec split before drawing steadily clear of the chasing pack to cross the line an incredible 14 and a half lengths clear of local runner-up Abigails Canary (Paul Burr) in 40.28sec (+15).

At that stage hers was the fourth quickest time for the east coast venue’s 659m trip – behind track record holder Roxholme Poppy (40.07sec and 40.18sec) and Centurion Enry (40.25sec). However that time was eclipsed by Jim’s Daly Blue Tick George some 17 minutes later in the second semi.

The Sunderland Grand Prix runner-up was equally brilliant as he landed an all-the-way success, the three-year-old crossing the line three and a half lengths clear of Nipsey Hustle (Carol Weatherall) in 40.23sec (+15). That puts the Crayford star in third place in the all-time list for 659m at Yarmouth.

Yarmouth racing manager Marcus Westgate described both performances as “magnificent efforts”, but added: “That first semi-final was so good you’re thinking this year’s George Ing St Leger is the Bo Shine Bullet show! Then you saw what Blue Tick George did in the next one, and then the battling effort of Burgess Puma in the third semi, and it’s helped set up a great final.

“Breaking down the semi-finals still further, George clocked a 16.11sec split which even the best sprinters couldn’t match. That’s blistering pace.

“Burgess Puma had to get through the field and did so in style. It’s going to be a showstopping final this Saturday but, let’s face it, this is greyhound racing and anything can happen. However, seeing six top-class canine athletes assert their authority over this stayers trip  is going to be an absolute thrill.”

A delighted Jim Daly, trainer of Blue Tick George, said: “Winning a semi-final of a Category One competition is a massive boost for owners and trainers alike, especially when you see the sectional George clocked and his end-time. That was great, but then 15 minutes later we watched Blue Tick Delia take a first-bend tumble in her semi.

“When you don’t immediately see them come into camera shot you do get concerned, but fortunately Delia was safely back on her feet and is fine. That sums up the roller-coaster ride of greyhound racing sometimes, but all is good and we can look forward to George running in the final on Saturday.”

Blue Tick George has won eight of his 12 races this year, a record which has delighted the Crayford handler.

He said: “It’s been a pleasing campaign so far, including a track record at Sunderland, finishing second in the Grand Prix and now a finalist in the George Ing St Leger.

“From a personal point of view it’d mean a lot to me and the family to land a race of this standard at Yarmouth. My wife is born and bred in Norwich and for many years Yarmouth was our home track. It’s where I met my wife 22 years ago now and the place will always hold fond memories.”

Jason Bloomfield’s Burgess Puma showed all-round speed when winning the third semi-final, running on strongly to lead home Coolavanny Lilly (Kevin Boon) by half a length in 41.09sec (-15).

The Henlow-based handler said: “We’re so pleased for Puma and his owner. We originally hoped to have a dog for the Derby and Puma did perform very well in several four-bend races, but always needed a bit of luck and never seemed to get it with draws! He was always running on strongly but we knew he wanted stepping up.

“We intended to hold off until this year’s Derby was out the way, but it comes to a point when you have to actually look at what’s in front of you and Puma wanted further!

“We missed the chance of a six-bend maiden, so it was straight in at the deep-end and seeing how he went in Category One company. His trial was okay and he then showed big improvement in the heats and it was exciting – but then last night he’s blown us away how he rallied after trouble and kept coming back for more. We couldn’t be prouder of him.

“He’s come out of the race well considering last night was hard work. He showed some real heart and, while the final comes quickly this week, all we can hope for is a clean run because draw-wise it’s tricky. He’s a bang railer at the bends and has immense dogs on the inside.

“Can he clear them? We’ll have to wait and see, but we are just delighted to be there.”

Trap draw for Saturday’s George Ing St Leger Final: https://yarmouthstadium.co.uk/wp-content/uploadedpdf/as.pdf