ANTIGUA STORMS TO 75TH EAST ANGLIAN DERBY

Trap one wears red. There are five losers in every race. You have to lead to win the Yarmouth Derby.

Not so much statements, as general knowledge. But nobody told Antigua Storm. .

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Antigua Storm takes centre stage on the Yarmouth podium as (left to right) Carl Perry and Nic Brereton of Bresbet present the East Anglian Derby trophies to Jake Buchholz (son of holidaying owner Amanda Jeal), Sid Huett, Emily and Daniel Wallis, Justine Slater (all from the kennels), trainer Mark Wallis holding trophy, Kieran Saupe, & physio Ron Mills. Photo: © Steve Nash

The sensational last-to-first run in the Bresbet sponsored 75th final gave huge credence to Mark Wallis’ pre-race claim that Storm was probably his best ‘true middle distance’ runner since Derby winner Blonde Snapper.

Following the race Mark said: “It was just a sensational run. I have been going to Yarmouth since the late 1980s and have never seen a Derby Final like that. It goes to show that you don’t need to lead to win, albeit I accept that the two in front struggle to see out the distance. It was his ninth race and he has two second places and a win in Category One finals.

“I thought he was so unlucky to be pipped on the line (nk by Drumcrow Brent), though he has come on such a long way since then, I don’t think he would be caught now.

“I tend not to make too many plans prior to races and haven’t made any firm decisions but at this stage, the plan is for a couple of weeks rest which would lead nicely into the Kent Derby at Central Park.”

Trophies display on East Anglian Derby Final night, with new sponsors BresBet to the fore Photo: © Steve Nash

Yarmouth boss Simon Franklin reflected on a brilliant night’s racing – that wasn’t without its trials and tribulations.

He said: “There was a major BT fault in the area that knocked out the tote and a lot of the computers and servers. We couldn’t take any credit card payments. The back-up system didn’t work and it was the race after the final before we got the tote back on line.

“It probably cost us in the region of £6,500 in lost revenue which you just have to live with. You find yourself thinking, ‘why not on a quiet Monday night in January, not the biggest night of the year?‘

“But it was still a very good night. The crowd was probably 1,100 and there was a good atmosphere. We had an exceptionally good winner and it was great to have some new sponsors for the event, who seemed to enjoy themselves. I gather the bookies had a bad time but its hard to tell. They were certainly busy with no tote. But one of them has been here 35 years and never had a winning night!

“I would hope that we could switch the competition back to 48 dogs next year. The tracks agreed to restrict these events to 36 runners to try and ease the calendar, post Covid. But we had 56 entries and quite a few didn’t get a run who deserved one.”

Yarmouth bookies on EAD night include on course presence by new sponsors BresBet (right) Photo: © Steve Nash

BALLYMAC SLAPUP won the Greene King IPA Sprint Final for John Mullins with brother David sending out the runner-up and third, Shrewd Call and Matts Malibu. Photo: © Steve Nash

BETTYS BOOK won the Derby Purse for Kevin Boon in 40.28 for the 659m. (Bo Shine Bullet is quickest over course and distance this year- 40.16) Photo: © Steve Nash