Jimmy Buckley’s Jumeirah Charm produced the fastest time seen at Belle Vue since A4 grader Luseas De Gea in the GMG Oaks second round.

The Country & Western singer’s Irish Oaks Consolation winner won the night’s fastest heat in 27.42 – the quickest run at the track since the bizarre 27.33 recorded by the Nigel Saunders trained graded in December last year.

Heat 1 went the way of the formbook when Puppy Derby finalist Wuheida (Head Bound-Droopys Thrill, Jan 16) won for the seventh time in her 11 races to date. The Phil Simmonds trained black (T2 5-4f) clocked 27.74 (all normal) held off Swift Lucious (T1 4-1) by a short head for the second qualifying place.

Heat 2 featured Yorkshire Oaks winner Donation (Droopys Cain-Delightful Flyer, Jul 15) in her second race back after injury. Running from trap six, Heather Dimmock’s 4-5f extended her UK career to 11 wins from 16 races. The winner’s time was 27.62 and the distance, a nod under five lengths. Prime Time (T5 7-1) took second with 2-1 second favourite Tea For Tess (T2) back in fourth.

Heat 3 saw the first favourite eliminated: Geelo Zip (T2 7-4f). The honours went to Richard Baker’s orange jacketed 7-1 chance Princess Aurora (Ballymac Vic-Pennys Lady, Oct 15). A winner of her last race in A3 at Henlow, the white and black clocked the night’s fastest sectional (4.22) and then held off Tyrur Emily (T4 9-4) by a short head in 27.85.

Heat 4 was reduced to four runners but still saw the elimination of favourite Ameilas Charm (T2 6-4f). The race went to Brian Thompson’s Olwinn Bella (Droopys Cain-Wonder Of You, Sep 15) with a 27.85, one length victory over Charder Girl (T47-4).

Heat 5 featured the performance of the night by Jumeriah Charm (Droopys Scolari-Legal Girl, Nov 15). In a race that went to form, the red jacketed winner won by just over six lengths in 27.42. 2-1 second favourite Sylvias Chloe (T2) was second.

Heat 6 featured the fastest first round winner Ballydoyle Maura (T3 4-5f). But she found one too good for her in Ger Holian’s Jumeirah Lolls (Kinloch Brae-Tiermana Hawk, Oct 15) who won by a length in 27.70. Bitch of the Year candidate Geelo Sapphire (T2 7-1) finished third.

The semi finals will be staged next Friday (8th) with the decider set for Wednesday December 13.

All footage courtesy of GreyhoundsNow