LEEMOUNT VENUS set the standard in the heats of the Ladbrokes Gold Collar at Crayford on Saturday as Kevin Boon’s in-form bitch roared to clear favouritism in the £8,000-to-the-winner Category One competition at the Kent circuit.

Quickly away, the March 2017 daughter of Tyrur Big Mike and Vickis Lady was soon in charge and raced away to win by six lengths from Kent Derby finalist Lenson John (Tony Collett) in a fastest-of-the-night 33.55sec.

Leemount Venus joins kennelmate Headford Cain in the same first Ladbrokes Gold Collar semi-final next week after Boon’s dog ran second to the Jason Bloomfield-trained Savana Dare in heat one, the latter leading early to win in 34.15sec.

Headford Cain kept on well in behind the winner to keep the winning distance down to a length and trainer Boon is adamant there is more to come from the August 2017 son of Droopys Cain and Headford Fantasy.

“I’m convinced he’s a dog capable of a 33.40sec or 33.50sec, but the penny hasn’t quite dropped. When he gets things right – and he’s still quite young – then you’ll see him run. He’s a big price compared to some of the others, even Venus!

“Having said that she’s doing everything right at Crayford over 540m. I pulled her out of the Doncaster re-run and that’s worked in my favour – it was just too testing for her over that sort of trip. She’s finding her feet at this distance.

“I can’t ask anymore of her. I gave her a sprint trial at Yarmouth – the same with Headford Cain – and that’s sharpened her up. We’re set for Saturday now, but have Newcastle on Thursday before. Grogeen Country goes in the All England Cup Final – with a chance!

“I’ll likely take Sheldan up for a trial, too, which begins her preparation for Perry Barr and the RPGTV St Leger. Then it’s fingers crossed for my pair at Crayford in the same semi. It’s not ideal, but hopefully both get a chance to run their races.”

Mark Wallis landed a Gold Collar heat double courtesy of Alien Sea (33.89sec) and Chubbys Caviar (33.95sec), while the other heats went to Julie Luckhurst’s Crossfield Vince (33.96sec) and the Dean Childs-trained Southfield Ariel (33.77sec)

Reflecting on the evening’s action, Crayford’s deputy racing manager Graham Banks said: “It’s good to see that, going into next week’s semi-finals next week, we still have a strong local interest in a Category One competition.

“Eight of the remaining 18 runners are Crayford-based, with five either winning or runner-up in the heats. Hopefully a couple can make the final in a couple of weeks time.

“Of those, Crossfield Vince caught the eye. Julie Luckhurst’s runner didn’t get things all his own way and had to battle before going on to win well, as did another heat winner Southfield Ariel for Dean Childs, who’s starting to show the form she was in earlier in the year having been in season.

“Leemount Venus recorded the fastest time out of the six heats for Kevin Boon and was visually the most impressive winner after pinging the lids. She could prove the one to beat now if able to reproduce that break again.

“She may have found the 714m distance a bit beyond her in the Kent St Leger here, but has shown this 540m distance suits her better – she’s now recorded two wide-margin victories since.

“Of the other qualifiers, Chubbys Caviar impressed. After overcoming early crowding and spinning off wide at the second bend, she showed good determination to chase down local runner Sleepy Kevin in what looked the strongest heat of the night.

“She looks to have a decent chance in her semi-final.”

Trap draw for Saturday’s semi-finals:-

First semi: 1 Lenson John, 2 Headford Cain, 3 Crossfield Vince (m), 4 Alien Sea (m), 5 Leemount Venus (w), 6 Droopys Noodle (w).

Second semi: 1 Saving Sonic, 2 Snowdon Jimmy, 3 Southfield Ariel (m), 4 Chubbys Caviar (m), 5 Tadghs Nidge (w), 6 Kathleens Katie (w).

Third semi: 1 Savana Doll, 2 Barnfield Moll, 3 Sleepy Kevin (m), 4 Rack Itup Turbo (m), 5 Sparta Master (m), 6 Droopys Charm (w).