CLONA DUKE set a new track record at Towcester when blitzing his field to grab the headlines on the second night of first-round action in the 2023 Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby at Towcester on Friday.

The March 2021 son of Malachi and Coolavanny Pearl, who arrived at the Northamptonshire track as the Time Greyhound Nutrition Select Stakes winner at Waterford ahead of a trial stakes victory at Towcester, was soon in charge in heat 12 as Graham Holland’s two-year-old turned on the style.

Racing to a 3.98sec split, the half-brother of the likes of Newinn Jacko, Newinn Session and Doolin Duke, was never in danger as he drew away to cross the line four lengths clear of Ballymac Bronze (Liam Dowling) and Hurry Up Jordan (John Lambe). The winning time was 28.73sec (+10), three spots inside kennelmate Swords Rex’s previous best.

Ballymac Marino later matched the previous track record when racing away to an impressive victory for Liam Dowling as the Tralee Juvenile Classic winner was not for catching in heat two as he crossed the line nine and a quarter lengths clear of kennelmate Ballymac Johnjo and Slick Saratoga (Patrick Janssens) in 28.76sec (+10).

Brookside Richie was foot-perfect at lids-rise in heat 18 when starting a busy weekend for Newcastle’s Jimmy Fenwick, given Bellmore Sally was running in the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Kent St Leger at Crayford the following morning, in the best possible style as the Arc Northern Flat winner was quickly into stride and dominated proceedings.

Youngster La Conquistador (Patrick Janssens) kept on well in second here, with Hot Throttle (Mark Wallis) qualifying in third. The winning time was 28.84sec (+10).

Gaytime Nemo landed Graham Holland a double on the night in heat 21 to continue the Derby-winning handler’s great start to the Classic this year as the 550yd Shelbourne winner was always in command to score from Boylesports Gift (Paul Hennessy) and Sogna In Grande (Jack Kennelly) for an Irish 1-2-3. The winning time was 28.95sec (+10).

Mark Wallis also landed a double on the second night of action as Ballymac John, the Seasons Scaffolding Puppy Cup winner at Hove, judged edged Arkady (David Mullins) at the bend before racing away to score by three and a half lengths from the same rival in 29.11sec (+10), with the latter’s kennelmate Romeo Mission in third.

The Wallis double was landed by Magical Kyle as the strapping June 2021 son of Ballymac Bolger and Mystical Moll paced up well to edge You Two (John Mullins) at the bend before racing clear to score by just over two lengths from Candolim Monsoon (Derek Knight) in 29.46sec (+10) – a victory which delighted connections.

Emily Wallis, daughter of the winning trainer, said: “Kyle’s been showing lots of pace and looks to be getting better – he’s run really well tonight. He’s still not had too many races for us – the same with a lot of our runners this year. We’ve got a very young team in the Derby and we’re still getting to know them really.”

Savana Beau, a finalist last year for Diane Henry and Towcester promoter Kevin Boothby, upheld the form of the 2022 Classic when finishing best in heat 17 to edge out longtime leader Havana Allablaze (Liz McNair) by a short-head in 29.08sec (+10).

A delighted Diane Henry said: “He’s been off for a long time this dog so to see him do that was great. We know he loves Towcester but this was just his second run since December so hopefully he comes forward again. I’m just happy he’s back.”

The second batch of first-round heats kicked off with victory for the John Mullins-trained Faypoint Susie as the March 2021 daughter of Out Of Range ASB and Jasons Perl broke in front in a heat which was delayed after the traps failed first time. The two-year-old went on to beat British-bred star Fabulous Azurra (Patrick Janssens) in 29.03sec (+10).

“Susie handled the situation well,” said winning trainer Mullins. “She came away well and showed what we’ve known she’s capable of. I put her in my Trainers Judgement Night team because I rate her, but if truth be told she probably hadn’t really settled here well enough in the early weeks. She’s much better now and you’re seeing that on the track.”

The other Friday heats were won by Kevin Hutton’s Jet Stream Wind (29.15sec +10), Patrick Janssens’ Romeo Top Gun (29.06sec +10) and Seamus Cahill’s Thunder Black (29.04sec +10).