BOCKOS BELLY set a new track record of 29.03sec (normal) in heat five of the Star Sports/TRC Events & Leisure English Greyhound Derby – on the first night of second-round action at Towcester on Friday.

Trained by Patrick Janssens for Graham Box and Bev Lochead, and named after larger-than-life bookmaker Gary Wiltshire, Bockos Belly was soon in control in his heat after a smart exit and followed up an impressive first-round victory as he galloped clear to win by six lengths from Warzone Tom (Liz McNair). The latter held the previous best (29.08sec) for the 500m distance at the Northamptonshire venue.

A delighted champion trainer Janssens said of Bockos Belly: “We’ve always thought the world of him and, of course, I’m delighted to see what he’s done tonight. I thought the draw was a tough one on paper and he had to be on his toes early – but thankfully he was and, once he’s in front, you can pretty confident he’ll stay there.

“He’s a very fast dog, but is maturing now. He ran well behind a top-class bitch in Jaguar Macie in the Monmore Puppy Derby. He did well to finish second, but she was too good  then. He’s improved since, as I always thought he would being a Kinloch Brae – you don’t see too many win puppy stakes, but they come forward with age.

“That’s what’s happened to Bockos Belly and hopefully there’s more to come. He’s in the last 48 now and we’ll see what happens. It’s great for Bev and Graham and gives the kennel a real boost,” added Janssens.

Kevin Hutton, who trained Dorotas Wildcat to win the 2018 Derby at Towcester, landed a double on the night courtesy of Signet Ace in heat one and Magical Silas in heat six.

Monmore Winter Derby champion Signet Ace was always bossing proceedings after a quick exit – he posted a fastest-of-the-night 4.09sec split – although Jaguar Macie, the Monmore Puppy Derby heroine, kept up the pressure well to cross the line just a half a length behind the 29.16sec winner.

Magical Silas was then always handy before proving too strong for Soul Warrior (Paul Marchant), winning by a length in 29.56sec.

One of the most popular winners on the night was the June McCombe-trained Dualla Prince who landed a 12-1 surprise in heat two, although there was nothing fortunate about the victory of the Doncaster-based runner.

Well away, he edged ahead of the fast-breaking Luna Rocket at the turn and went on down the far side to win by a length and a half in 29.37sec from the staying on Beach Avenue (Paul Hennessy).

Winning owner and kennelhand Craig Day was delighted afterwards, commenting: “We bought him with the Derby in mind, but this is a dream come true. I thought he’d run a big race and now we’re in the third round. He’s a well-natured dog and I’m just delighted for June who is retiring shortly. She’s a wonderful lady.”

On a good night for home-trained runners against their Irish counterparts, Bubbly Magnum struck for Romford trainer Paul Young in heat three, with a 4.16sec split setting up a four-length victory over Swift Cope (Paul Burr) and Irish hotpot Ballymac Ariel (Liam Dowling). The winning time was 29.43sec.

However, the Dowling camp was back in the winner’s enclosure at Towcester in the very next heat as Ballymac Fairone proved best of the visitors as he broke in front of favourite Native Maestro (Graham Holland) and maintained the advantage throughout, winning by almost three lengths in a very fast 29.09sec.

The remaining heats went to Lee Field’s Adeles Duke, who paced up to lead early in heat seven before winning in 29.66sec, before another superb exhibition of front-running – off the back of a fast 4.10sec split – saw Gary Ferguson’s Frankies Jet (29.23sec) make all in heat eight as he led home the popular Queen Beyonce (Liz McNair).

 

Star Sports and TRC Events & Leisure English Greyhound Derby 2021 dates:-

Second round: Saturday, June 12

Third round: Saturday, June 19

Quarter-finals: Saturday, June 26

Semi-finals: Saturday, July 03

Final: Saturday, July 10