Sunderland trial sessions start to take on more significance as the build-up to the UK Festival gathers pace and there were a couple of notable performances on Friday’s list writes John Forbes.
Ted Soppitt’s Calzaghe Billy, runner-up in his only start so far at Nottingham at the beginning of June, clocked a 27.22 for the 450 metres on his first look at the track. A January 2014 son of Ace Hi Rumble and Alexandra, he looks a candidate for the Puppy Plate.
Jim Hayton was also at the session giving Grand Prix prospect Lowgate Jasper his first run round the Wearside venue and he will have been boosted by the 39.92 posted by the dog for the 640 metres.
Maum Legend started on the road back from injury at Newcastle on Thursday when he clocked a 17.24 in a solo 290-metre spin at Newcastle.
Trainer Jimmy Wright said: “That was all right for his first trial back and I will give him another three or four sprints before stepping him up to four bends. If all goes well then I hope to have him back for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup at Monmore in August.”
Droopys Cortez, runner-up in last year’s Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle, will start his comeback from injury at Sheffield’s special Fathers’ Day meeting. The November 2012 son of Aero Majestic and Droopys Safina, has been restricted to just one outing in the past six months, but he gave a clear indication that all was now well at Owlerton last week when he clocked a 28.61 for the 500 metres on going rated 20 fast and trainer Barrie Draper has entered him for the last contest on Sunday.
