GOLDIES SYMNSY repaid the faith shown in him by trainer Patrick Janssens when coming from off the pace to lift the Peter Bussey Memorial Trophy Final at Crayford on Saturday – initiating a fantastic day for the Central Park handler, who won both major titles on the day.

The GBGB Category Two competition played chief supporting role to the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Final, later won by the Janssens-trained Skilful Sandie, but it was the January 18 son of Laughil Duke and Miss July who kicked things off for the trainer and the two-year-old’s owner Andy Pelley.

A powerful lightly raced sort Goldies Symnsy was slowly away and crowded at the first bend before the youngest finalist, as was Skilful Sandie, launched a storming run to reel in longtime leader Crossfield Vince (Julie Luckhurst) to win by a neck in 33.87sec for the 540m trip.

“I’m not sure Patrick (Janssens) was going to enter Symnsy, but made the decision when he clocked such a good trial (33.57sec +20) over the trip,” said Pelley. “Thankfully he did and he’s shown everything we knew he was capable of even since he clocked 28.12sec at Monmore at the turn of the year. That’s a good run.

“The problem’s been a few niggling setbacks, which has meant a stop-start career to date right from when he was a raw pup last April when joining Patrick. It was never anything serious, with the cough and sickness thrown it, but means he’s not had many races – and he always seems to find trouble in his races!

“Having said all that, he’s a wonderful dog to own, loves his racing, and we think he’ll get further as well. I’m actually quite excited at what he could become given not many miles on the clock. Many thanks to Crayford for a great morning’s racing and looking after us so well. They do it great there.”

Goldies Symnsy’s emergence has coincided with the retirement of Pelley and Janssens’ former track superstar Goldies Hotspur who, in a career of 91 races in the UK races, won 29 times, was second on a further 29 occasions and reached no less than 14 Category One and Two finals over three years.

“Her stats are amazing – and might even be sort of record,” added Pelley. “Those 14 finals and wins in the Mitch Millward, the Greyhound Star Marathon and the TV Trophy itself. She was also a close second in The Regency at Hove, the Boxing Day Marathon to Slippy Maggie and another TV Trophy to Savana Winner. ‘Lily’ was also GBGB Marathon Greyhound of the Year in 2017.

“It would’ve been lovely to go out with a run in the Golden Jacket Final. I was optimistic after the heats – she ran in the second quickest heat – but sadly it wasn’t to be for ‘Lily’ and, even had she made the final, I don’t think she’d have troubled Skilful Sandie, who’s a special young talent.

“She’ll miss her racing, she absolutely loved it, but it was the right time to retire her – she’ll  be spoilt rotten at Patrick’s! They looked after their greyhounds fantastically well – the care and attention to detail each dog is second to none. I couldn’t ask for more and I’m also grateful to physio Ron Mills and never underestimate the work he does.

“With Lily retired, it’s great to have the others doing well – Hoddle and Ginola both had over ten open-race victories in 2019, Nayim has been running well, Linekar has just started at Romford and, of course, I’m hopeful with Symnsy now as well. People known I tend to name my dogs after Tottenham legends – and so is Symnsy.

“However this time he’s no a player but a mate John Symns who I’ve bee going to Tottenham with for 30 years now. He loves the dogs, too, and is one of the luckiest people at the track. When we bought the dog, my daughter Tara suggested we name the dog after Symnsy. I’m glad we did!”

Peter Broadbridge, Crayford’s stadium manager, congratulated all the winners at the traditional matinee fixture and was delighted with how the day went.

He said: “In my opinion it was the best Golden Jacket ever in terms of the class of greyhound on show. We had a big crowd who enjoyed the overall quality and varied card we had – and hopefully connections of the finalists will renew their rivalry in the Kent St Leger later in the year.”