GOUGANE JET landed a major big-race sprint double with victory in the Arena Racing Company National Sprint Final at Nottingham on Monday.

 

Trained by Mark Wallis for owners Alan Curtis, Eammon Johnston and Stephen Oliver and already winner of the Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup Final at Perry Barr, Gougane Jet completed an unbeaten run through the end-of-season GBGB Category Two to improve an outstanding UK record still further.

 

Winner of 15 of his 18 races now since joining champion trainer Wallis, the August 2020 son of Droopys Jet and Paper Doll was foot-perfect in the £5,000 final with a fast exit laying the foundations for a brilliant four and three-quarter length success over Ballymac Jet (Steve Anderson) and Gain Greyhound Nutrition Sovereign Stakes winner Ballymac Slapup (John Mullins).

 

The winning time for the 305m trip was a fast 17.56sec (+20) which delighted Sid Huett, head kennelhand for winning trainer Wallis, who told commentator Rob Crawford on social media afterwards: “He’s been running the track ever so well. He won his heat and semi-final but needed to blast out in the final in a really good race – and has done.

 

“And the draw worked out alright. Sometimes in a race like this it’s best to be on the outside and it’s worked for him. He’ll probably be off until the new year now, but it’s just great he’s won this race at Nottingham because some people thought he could only win at Monmore, so he’s proved that’s not the case. Thanks to the sponsors for their support.”

 

For his part, Wallis said: “Thanks to Sid for all his hard work with ‘Reggie’. He’s driven to Nottingham three times and they’ve formed a great partnership. It was a fantastic run from him and, over the last three Mondays, he’s just been brilliant. Well done to the owners, many thanks to them as ever, and hopefully that seals the Sprinter of the Year title!

 

“Remember he set a track record in the final of the (Arena Racing Company) Scurry Gold at Perry Barr – and at that time was on a winning streak of nine races unbeaten. It was also the first time we’d won the Scurry, too, which was special.

 

“Things didn’t go for him at Towcester in the (Gain Greyhound Nutrition) Sovereign Stakes, but I’m not sure that’s his track – we’ll see next year. But he runs Perry Barr well – and Nottingham and Monmore great!

 

“It’s a great boost for the team at this time of year – and thanks again to the sponsors and Nottingham for making it possible. Now it’s fingers crossed for Antigua Sugar at Oxford on Friday in the (Bet365) Challenge Cup final.”

 

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=392320&raceId=899093