Geelo Sapphire put herself in line for the Bitch of the Year title when landing the Lowther Stakes at Towcester on Saturday.

Carl Perry’s blue went to traps at 9-1 and led up from the favourite Droopys Polly ho looked well placed on the rail. Sapphire eased across to rails at the first bend causing the Polly to ease. She renewed her challenge along the backstraight but was again forced to check her stride at the third bend. The strong running Sapphire had done enough and held on to win the £10,000 decider by a comfortable length in a new personal best of 29.36 for the 500m.

It was Sapphire’s second ‘Cat 1’ of the year following a win in the ‘Three Steps to Victory’ earlier in the year and completed a remarkable sequence of runs. Sapphire has won 10 of her last 18 races (6 x 2nds, 2 x 3rds), between 480-660m and she has won from every trap.

Trainer Carl Perry said: “She certainly knows how to turn up on the big night. She was a big price but that was down to the draw with six railers. I was a bit disappointed when she led and was picked up last week but she still wasn’t at her best after her season. She was 17 weeks on Tuesday and that extra week made all the difference.

“She is a bit tired this morning but should be okay for Sheffield on Tuesday when she is due to run in the heats of a dual distance competition at Sheffield. If she comes out of that okay, we could be looking to the Gold Collar at Crayford. I think the track will suit her, and then later in the year, hopefully the Oaks.”

Sponsor Mark Lowther (2nd left) presents the Lowther Stakes trophies to Geelo Racing’s Nic Brereton and trainer Carl Perry (right), as Paul Hector holds Geelo Sapphire. Photo: © Steve Nash

The meeting also featured the semi finals of the £10,000 TGW Graded Derby. They were notable for two reasons. Firstly, the two winners, Chantilly Lace and Zero Forks clocked identical times – 28.67 – and secondly, Kevin Hutton sends out half the field in next Saturday’s final.

CHANTILLY LASS t5) leads early to win the first semi of the Towcester Greyhound Welfare Graded Derby Photo: © Steve Nash

ZERO FORKS (t3) wins the second semi of the Towcester Greyhound Welfare Graded Derby from Cockney Rebel (t2) Photo: © Steve Nash