AAYAMZA SYDNEY will line up in yet another Category One final at Perry Barr on Saturday – this time as the new track record-breaker – after a stunning victory in the third semi-final of the Arena Racing Company Laurels Final at the weekend.

The John Mullins-trained secured his place in a ninth Category One decider with a first-bend lead and raced away for a four-and-a-quarter length success over kennelmate Wrighty for a Mullins one-two. The winning time was 27.75sec (normal), two spots inside Coolavanny Shado’s previous best for the 480m trip at the Birmingham venue.

Lorraine Hyde-Banning, part-owner with the Aayamzaboys Syndicate, said the performance of the brilliant and ultra-consistent September 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Aayamza Breeze made her even more in awe of the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Gold Collar champion than she already was!

Hyde-Banning added: “I’m not sure where to start with our big lad Sydney. I’m in total awe of him, as are many others. He certainly has a lot of love aimed at him.

“We must give recognition to Walter and Maura Molloy for breeding our pups and Nalin Monerawela for his passion, time, and dedication in schooling them.

“He always said Sydney was special and how right was he!

“And to the big man himself, John Mullins, and all the dedicated staff at Dillymore huge praise for nurturing Sydney back from his injury in the Derby last year. What a magnificent job they have done and how far we have all come.

“He really is the most honest dog, forever giving, and, boy, does he love a final!

“It’s now on to his ninth Category One final and not only winning his heat in style but taking thet rack record, too, in the semi-finals. So now he holds two track records and a Category One – and we’re praying he can make it a double on Saturday.

“He’ll give it his best shot either way and we couldn’t be prouder of him, wherever he finishes, but most importantly safe and sound. Good luck to all finalists and thank-you to Perry Barr for hosting us.”

Oaks champion Druids Say Go secured her place in another major Perry Barr final with a runaway victory in the first semi-final as Patrick Janssens’ superstar bitch followed up her gutsy heat success with an impressive effort in the first semi.

Heading her rivals at the bend, the September 2021 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Druids Diana drew clear for a seven and a quarter lengths win over Coppice Trophy (Kevin Hutton) in 28.03sec (normal).

Aayamza Sydney and Druids Say Go will be joined in Saturday’s £12,500 final by another Category One champion in Richard Rees’s Churchfield Syd who unleashed his trademark burst of pace in the second semi-final on his way to a three-quarters of a length victory over Armagh Daithi (Mark Wallis) in 28.00sec (normal).

Saturday’s final will be the centrepiece of the next Gone To The Dogs – Live! broadcast which can be viewed via the GTTD’s YouTube channel youtube.com/@gonetothedogs-live

*Trap draw for Saturday’s Arena Racing Company Laurels Final: 1 Wrighty, 2 Coppice Trophy, 3 Aayamza Sydney, 4 Druids Say Go, 5 Armagh Daithi (m), 6 Churchfield Syd (w).