ROXHOLME POPPY (Pictured, above left, in trap 6) has her sights set on a notable double after clocking the fastest-time-of-the-night in the heats of the George Ing St Leger at Yarmouth on Monday.
Winner last year of the Yorkshire St Leger at Doncaster, the Hayley Keightley-trained star now has her sights set on the East Anglian version after an impressive effort in the heats. The recent Hove Regency finalist led past halfway and drew clear to win by seven and a half lengths in 41.19sec (-90).
In winning heat two, Keightley’s runner completed a double for the kennel – a treble if you include their success with Roxholme Glory in between at Nottingham in a Derby trial stakes! – after Roxholme Butt had made all in heat one. The Henlow Maiden Gold Cup winner made all over the 659m trip in 41.60sec (-90).
“Both ours ran very well at Yarmouth,” said Mark Keightley, husband of the winner. “Butt didn’t get the start again but utilised the long straight to outclass his rivals early and I thought he handled the track perfectly and won his race by doing so. We know he’s got decent early and middle pace and that’s won him the race.
“I’d say Poppy is finally back to something like her very best,” he added. “It gives you confidence in her even when she’s behind, as she’s now had enough races to have her on the money. Both her head and her fitness are where they need to be as of now – so we’re certainly looking forward to the semi-finals with both.”
Antigua Fire, runner-up in the Golden Jacket when known as Towcester Story, qualified in second behind Roxholme Butt in the opening heat for Mark Wallis – and the champion trainer later shared the training spoils with the Keightleys as he landed a double himself with Brigadier Bullet and Aayamza Breeze winning their respective heats.
Brigadier Bullet led off the second bend in heat five, catching fast-starting Romeo Mandate, before going on and crossing the line clear of Golden Jacket and Queen Mother Cup winner Stardom in 41.29sec (-90), while recent Regency heroine Aayamza Breeze struck in the final heat as she was always handy before powering on approaching the final turn to lead home favourite Slippy Maggie in 41.43sec (-90).
The other heats were won by the Philip Simmonds-trained Ridgedale Max, who made all the running in heat three in 41.49sec (-90), while the Kevin Boon-trained Sheldan produced an eye-catching performance in winning heat four. Crowded out early, the two-year-old rallied well to catch Pennys Luna in 41.87sec (-90).
Jack Cranfield, sponsor of the event which is named after his grandfather, is an owner with John Mullins and regular sponsor at Yarmouth. Delighted with the quality of the original entry for the upgraded Category One event, Cranfield thoroughly enjoyed the heats as a real greyhound enthusiast.
He commented: “As sponsors of the competition, we’re overwhelmed and very grateful for the support we’ve received from everyone in the sport for this event. Having upgraded it this year to a Cat One, we were thrilled to see such a high standard of dog entered – a big thank-you to the trainers and connections for their efforts in making trials etc.
“I’m delighted to see one of John’s (Mullins) dogs qualify for the semis in Swift Tarquin. It was also good for Yarmouth that a few of the local dogs made it through. We can now look forward to another cracking night of racing for Monday’s semi-finals – and hopefully the final will be very special indeed.”
Monday’s semi-final form: www.bagsracing.com/assets/13-may—yarmouth-adv.pdf