NOLAS BEAUTY made a sensational start to the Gain Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory with a track record-breaking success in heat five of the tri-distance event at Sheffield on Tuesday.

 

The three-round competition is run over 480m, 500m and 660m and the Sean Davy-trained local showed huge speed in making all the running in her heat of the GBGB Category One event over 480m.

 

Breaking smartly and leading into the turn, the June 2019 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Marlfield Taylor was never headed as she crossed the line a length ahead of Maglass Brave (Nathan Hunt) and Duggee Dodo (James Gaskin) in 27.25sec (-40).

 

The winning time clipped two spots off the previous best posted by Roxholme Krisfof in this event two years ago.

 

The competition kicked off with victory for another local in the shape of the Nigel Saunders-trained Maximum Security who reached the 660m final 12 months ago only to miss the race after a setback.

 

The April 2019 son of Sparta Maestro and Groupie Doll led down the back before scoring by two and a quarter lengths from Coolavanny Aunty (Angela Harrison) and Famous Eight (David Mullins) in 27.57sec (-40). 

 

Great Name That struck for Monmore trainer Gary Griffiths in heat two as a fast start set up a two and a quarter length victory for the November 2018 son of Droopys Jet and Ballymac Bonnie in 27.35sec (-40).

 

The qualifiers here Nipsey Hustle (Carol Weatherall) and Shanbally Chris (David Mullins).

 

Skywalker Stan confirmed his liking again for the Owlerton venue with another success in heat three as the December 2019 son of Droopys Sydney and Newinn Boodles made all to score from Twice Lucky (Colin Wilton) and Fatboyz Exile (Craig Marston).

 

The winning distance for Ted Soppitt’s dog was a length and quarter and the winning time 27.51sec (+40).

 

The locals cheered home another victory in heat four as Kirsty Grayson’s Flying Ada (Sh Avatar-Nutty Beth, July 2020) finished best to grab longtime leader Crouchs Princess (James Gaskin) and Camera Man (Lisa Stephenson) to win by a neck in 27.77sec (+40).

 

The sixth and final heat saw Romford tracker Slippy Hazel (Droopys Jet-Slippy Articfire, Feb 2020) soon in command as landed the spoils from Russian Sammy (David Elcock) and Lightfoot Krafth (Sean Parker) in 27.74sec (+40).

 

Andrew Mascarenhas, director of racing at Owlerton Stadium, was delighted with how the heats unfolded – especially after hare problems caused last week’s meeting to be abandoned. Each round has subsequently been pushed forward a week.

 

He said: “Thankfully all went okay in the heats this time after last week’s unfortunate abandonment and thanks to the trainers and connections of all the greyhounds entered for their patience and to the GBGB for accommodating this event a week later now.

 

“Seeing the track record go was certainly the high point and it was a fantastic performance from Nolas Beauty. It was also good to see Maximum Security not just qualify for Tuesday’s semi-finals but win his heat after being withdrawn from the final last year.

 

“Once again we had a busy betting ring for the heats of the Gain Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory which followed a big meeting here on Saturday with the BresBet Steel City Cup Final – and it was good to stream the draw for the semi-finals of the 3 Steps live.”

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=390111&raceId=881503

 

Trap draw and form for Tuesday’s semi-finals over 500m:-

 

First semi: 1 Maglass Brave, 2 Crouchs Princess, 3 Coolavanny Aunty, 4 Nolas Beauty, 5 Fatboyz Exile, 6 Duggee Dodo (w).

Second semi: 1 Russian Sammy, 2 Lightfoot Krath, 3 Slippy Hazel, 4 Skywalker Stan, 5 Camera Man, 6 Twice Lucky (w).

Third semi: 1 Maximum Security, 2 Nipsey Hustle, 3 Shanbally Chris, 4 Great Name That, 5 Flying Ada (m), 6 Famous Eight (w).