INNFIELD STORM lines up in Sunday’s semi-finals of the bet365 Puppy Oaks at Towcester as the fastest winner after saving the best for last in her heat at the weekend.

Tom Heilbron’s bitch, lining up in heat six, soon led on her way to justifying favouritism by two and a half lengths from Yahoo Maizey (Maxine Locke) in 29.09sec (normal) for the 500m trip.

Next quickest was the runner-up’s kennelmate Ballymac Lucia who franked the English Puppy Derby form with a fluent and facile victory in heat four.

Maxine Locke’s half-sister of the likes of Garfiney Blaze and Ballymac Taylor finished strongly to race clear off the last bend to win by two and a quarter lengths from Fabulous Lara (Laurence Tuffin) in 29.19sec (normal).

Victory completed a double for Romford handler Locke after Fahee Biddy made all the running in heat two, scoring by two and a quarter lengths from Savana Ginger (Diane Henry) in 29.38sec (normal). The winning time was 29.38sec (normal).

Droopys Smily opened her UK account at the second time of asking after being knocked over on debut the previous week when impressing in the opening heat.

Carol Weatherall’s well-bred runner produced a strong-running effort to reel in leader Brinkleys Betty by three and three-quarters of a length in 29.30sec (normal).

Sean Parker’s 16-1 chance Droopys Isha struck in heat three, the Sheffield raider leading early for a one and three-quarter length win from favourite Fabulous Livia (Laurence Tuffin) in 29.46sec (normal).

The remaining heat five went to Kevin Hutton’s Droopys Doris who also landed a trap-to-line near-three length success over Fabulous Valeria (Laurence Tuffin) in 29.33sec (normal).

Towcester racing manager Andy Lisemore said: “Overall I thought it was an excellent first round of the bet365 Puppy Oaks and really shapes well for the rest of the event.

“Ballymac Lucia is clearly the one they have to beat, backing up the form of the English Puppy Derby where she ran really well representing the girls against the boys to reach the final.

“It was great for the boss (Kevin Boothby, Towcester promoter) to get Savana Ginger through. I know he thinks highly of her and she gives the impression there’s more to come.

“It’s all gearing up steadily ahead of the Christmas Bonanza here on December 21 when the showpiece event will be the bet365 Puppy Oaks final itself.”

Trap draw for Sunday’s bet365 Puppy Oaks semi-finals: https://towcester-racecourse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/sun1.pdf