The BGBF British Bred Derby gets underway tonight at Sheffield with six first round heats.
2020 British Bred Derby Winner Elderberry Sky Bids To Retain His Title
In heat 1 at 636pm Patricia Cowdrill’s defending champion Elderberry Sky will take the beating however he’s had issues in recent times and is opposed with Kim Goodings Produce Stakes Finalist Shockwave Onyx. Lightly raced this big dog can at times find his share of trouble but he looks a more than capable sort at this British Bred level. He trialled well here a couple of weeks ago and can take this up by the third bend.
Sean Parker’s Barnside Millie has plenty of all-round pace and is well proven around this circuit. Having reached the final of the British Bred Oaks in August at Doncaster she was subsequently stepped up in trip and duly won a heat of a 660m competition around this Owlerton circuit. Millie could well be overpriced in a race where the Kevin Hutton trained duo of Boca Junior and Sleek By Design look set to dominate the market.
Liz and Rab McNair’s King Louis needs no introduction he’s a classy sort and from a fair draw on the wide outside will no doubt go close in heat 3 at 709pm. The trial run of Paul Sallis’s Skyfall Gregory catches the eye though and from an equally nice draw against the rail he’s taken to land the spoils. Louis shouldn’t be far away though and a reverse forecast wouldn’t be a bad option for those looking to enhance any possible returns.
Kevin Hutton’s Signet Otis was beaten at very short odds on his sole start at the venue in a heat of the Bresbet British Bred Maiden here in October. He’s a nice type though and looks plotted to go well from his draw in trap 2. A level break should be all he needs to lead by the turn and from that point home shouldn’t be for picking up.
Heat 5 looks a matchup between Liz and Rab McNair’s Queen Dolly and Jimmy Gaskin’s Bernard. I’m siding with Bernard to just get the upper hand. He’s got plenty of pace but does at times make life difficult for himself with slow starts. Given he comes away he can soon put himself into a decent position and can reward the faith of his supporters.
Heat 6 can go to the ante post favourite for the competition Fabulous Azurra trained by Patrick Janssens. A classy bitch who was eliminated from the Produce Stakes and the Oaks at Perry Barr at the semi-final stage on both occasions. Azurra does lack a look around but that might actually be a positive rather than a negative with this bitch. Her last time out trial around Towcester’s sprint trip of 1582 shows her to be in good health and she can smash out and make all.
