CRAIG DAY, Doncaster’s new racing manager, is ready to build on Saturday’s successful double-header which saw the 2024 Yorkshire Derby Final and BGBF British Bred St Leger take place for a big-race double-header at the South Yorkshire venue.

Revived this year by management, the Yorkshire Derby over 483m appropriately saw a British-bred winner given the supporting British-bred showpiece on the card as the Tom Heibron-trained Greenwell Coe blasted to an all-the-way victory off the back off a fast start to land a comfortable victory in the £8,000 Category Two event.

Posting a slick 4.09sec sectional, the July 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Killieford Kody completed a brilliant unbeaten run through the three-round event by racing away for a six and a half lengths success over runner-up Ballymac Lineout (Jimmy Fenwick), who edged out close-up Bellmore Ozzy (Barry Denby) for second.

The winning time was 28.96sec (+10), the fastest of the event, and continued Newcastle trainer Tom Heilbron’s fine year with this latest big-race success helping make a cracking weekend for the handler, who is now up to fourth in the Trainer of the Year standings.

Heilbron sent out Links Maverick to win the match race at Romford the night before and, on the same night as the Yorkshire Derby Final, had a winner at Perry Barr in Silverhill Ben for English Derby-winning owner Kenny Glen, also the owner of Greenwell Coe.

“Tom is up there with the best now and well done to him – the Heilbron kennel is certainly one which puts the miles in and they are getting their rewards,” said Day.

“Greenwell Coe was brilliant on the night and definitely saved the best for last on the clock. His 28.96sec was the fastest in the event and quickest over 483m on the night, so that’s a top-notch victory in what’s been a great event.

“The aim is to make the Yorkshire Derby a Cat One next year, but it wouldn’t even be possible to consider without the support of the Watson family. They are keen to upgrade the Yorkshire Derby now it’s back on the schedule – and it certainly worked well alongside the BGBF British Bred St Leger.”

He added: “We’re probably try to keep that event away from the St Leger itself. It probably didn’t make a huge difference this year having a look at the entries for Perry Barr, but probably makes sense to keep them apart if we can.”