DANNY RAYMENT, racing manager at the Betway Towcester Racecourse, is delighted to see six different trainers eyeing victory in the BGBF 80th Two Year Old Produce Stakes at the Northamptonshire track on Sunday,

The £10,000-to-the-winner British-bred showcase over 500m is being held at Towcester for the first time having switched from Swindon – and Rayment has been delighted to see the best of British across four rounds of the Category One, a rare competition staged over that length of time – four straight weeks.

“If I’m not mistaken it’s really only the Derby and the Oaks – and the Produce Stakes – which covers more than three weeks, or three rounds, so it’s certainly been unusual but having the (Elite Southern Supplies) Northamptonshire Sprint alongside it has made for some good weekends here recently.

“Having six trainers represented in the Produce Stakes I’m hoping is a positive sign for the future,” continued Rayment, “and we’ve certainly got a very competitive final to look forward to on Sunday. In fact you’d be brave to completely rule out anything, although on the clock you’d have to say that Harton Whirlwind is probably the one to beat.

“Well done to all the breeders with runners through to the final, with special mention to Dave Firmager for his two runners,” added Rayment of Romeo Astron and Romeo Arran (Patrick Janssens) who finished first and third in their semi-final clash.

The Tom Heilbron-trained Romeo Astron made all in the second semi as the August 2024 son of Aston Rupee and Fabulous Azzura led home Untold Dinero (Dave Lee) and Romeo Arran by a length in 29.13sec (normal).

Earlier, the Rose Draper-trained Harton Whirlwind resumed winning ways in the first semi-final when making a cracking start to set up a slick 3.74sec sectional before the September 24 son of Distant Podge and Black Racket raced away for a three and a half length success over Keefill Teak (Phil Milner) and Countess Penny (Richie Taberner) in a fastest-of-event 28.64sec (normal) for the 500 trip.

Trap draw for Sunday’s BGBF 80th Two Year Old Produce Stakes Final: 1 Harton Whirlwind, 2 Romeo Astron, 3 Keefill Teak, 4 Countess Penny, 5 Romeo Arran, 6 Untold Dinero (w).