QUARTEIRA gave the track record a shake as Mark Wallis’s speedster, a Sprinter of the Year nomination for the upcoming GBGB Awards, kicked off his Bet365 Northamptonshire Sprint campaign with a runaway victory in heat two of the Category Two event over 270m at Towcester.

Edged out by Romeo Crusade in a warm-up for the two-bend competition the previous week, the March 2021 son of Ballymac Best and Kilara Jessie blasted to the bend and was soon in command on his way to landing prohibitive odds of 3-10 with a six and a half length success over Singaporeslinger (John Mullins).

The winning time was 15.44sec (normal), just two spots of Irish raider Flashing Willow’s best for the distance, set last summer.

Next quickest was Frank Bryce’s Dashing Dude as the heavyweight June 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Myahs Friend, a standing dish at Swindon, produced a hugely impressive effort when fast away on route to a three and a half length win over ex-Irish Hopes Hurricane (Nathan Hunt) in 15.65sec (normal).

The event, not run last year but won in 2021 by Bockos Jon Jo and 2022 by Crossfield Dusty, both trained by Patrick Janssens, kicked off with victory for the Nathan Hunt-trained Hopes Knight as the June 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Silver Penny was quickly away and made all impressively in heat one.

Crossing the line seven and a half lengths clear of Milton Noah (Laurence Tuffin), Hopes Knight posted a fast 15.67sec (normal) for the two-bend distance, in a contest in which hot favourite Bombout Bullet, the Arc National Sprint champion, was slowly away but finished third to make it through to Sunday’s semi-finals.

Romeo Crusade continued his fine form when scoring for David Mullins in heat three as the February 2022 British-bred son of Droopys Sydney and Fabulous Skylar grabbed fast-starting Stronger (Yvonne Bell) rounding the turn before edging a persistent challenge from the north-east raider by a short-head in 15.91sec (normal).

Heat four went to local hope Letitwithme as Reggie Allder’s runner, an October 2021 daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Sullane Daisy, showed real speed from the get-go before rallying on the run-in to hold off the always-handy Salthill Sniper (Ron Peckover) in 15.93sec (normal).

The remaining heat saw Sean White’s Broadway Murty counter an early move from Quagos Jack (Kevin Quinton) before sweeping round the second bend in front for a length-and-a-quarter success over fast-finishing Antigua Sun (Jason Heath) in 15.92sec (normal), with the Yarmouth raider making it into the semis in third.

Towcester racing manager Andy Lisemore said: “I thought it was an exceptional first round of a competition we’ve been delighted to bring back this year – our thanks go to sponsors Bet365, of course.

“Quarteria was superb and, for this time of year, it was a stunning run – but there’s still all to play for. These are sprinters and the margins are always tight. Having said that, all the main players have got through and we’ve got three brilliant semi-finals to look forward to on Sunday.”