You have to go back to 1988 for the last ‘Decoy’ to win a Produce Stakes, though Decoy Junior moved a step closer after winning the fastest second round heat at Swindon earlier today writes Floyd Amphlett.
Kevin Cobbold, who will be looking to emulate sister Diane Lucas (trainer of Decoy Reagan Lass) bred Junior from two of his former open racers Romantic Rambo and A New Venture. Four of the litter of six have raced to date, one bitch has been re-homed, and another dog “the fastest one” should be appearing shortly.
Kevin said: “Junior has only had 13 races and has won five of them. But he was also knocked over at Nottingham which put him back a bit. I don’t normally race them more than once a week but you have to in this competition. Having said that, he has run well today. He normally comes out a bit better so I hope he can improve next time. Our other dog was eliminated but I have two sound dogs which is all that really matters.”
There was a family feel to the start of the event with the first three forecasts going to pairs of littermates, before fastest first round winner Night Covers All and sister Canine Charm came second and third in the fourth heat.
Although Junior clocked 29.07 in the last heat, he only prevailed by a neck from the gutsy Shoot The Bolt with Raise The Stakes also well in contention after winning in 29.10.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY JOSH SEALEY [email protected]
Westmead Maxi (T3) leads up brother Westmead Rocco
Raise The Stakes (T3) in command of heat two
Morning Live Len (T6) brings home the forecast for Kevin Hutton
Roxhill Mystigue (T2) has already won a £4,000 British Bred Final at Sheffield
Zenas Zeus (T6) accelerates to the bend on the outside in heat five
Decoy Junior (T3) holds off Shoot The Bolt (T4) by a neck at the line
SEMI FINAL DRAW
