It was a case of Ace and Mindy. . . and the rest in the heats of the Coors Queen Mother Cup at Sheffield.
Barrie Draper’s Glen Padden Ace (Ace Hi rumble-Glen Padden Bay, Apr 13) went into last night’s 660m qualifiers after a ‘below par’ third in his previous outing. But the dog who had six wins and a second in his previous seven visits was a different proposition after leading on the run to the first (12.96 sect). He gradually pulled away to beat Clever Jamie by a nod under 10 lengths in 38.91 (N). As a form guide, his previous best run was 38.70 (+20).
Pinpoint Maiden winner Droopys Benz (T4) was making her long awaited six-bend debut in the third heat but she was never at the races in a contest impressively won by Borna Mindy (Westmead Hawk-Borna Client, Jul 13). Diane Henry’s black (T3), back to six bends after failing over Crayford’s ten, dominated from box to beam (12.97 sect) for an 11+ length win over Lowgate Onyx in 38.93 (N).
The surprise of the night was the defeat of Acomb Ruby in the toughest second heat which included Millwards Master (T2) and Diesel Fl (T1). The Kinsley runner who had dominated Glen Padden Bay in her previous outing (38.59), seemed to be set up for another impressive victory after leading early (12.96). But she was eventually hunted down and short headed by the popular local Malls Pet (Cashen Legend-Perles Bay, Oct 12) (6-1) who completed a four-timer in 39.32 (N).
Earlier on the card, Walshes Hill (1-3f) won for the 23rd time in 29 UK races with a comfortable 15.83 (N) victory over the 280 metres. (His personal best is 15.73 on .20 fast).
There was also a great buckle between Lightfoot Scolar, who had won five of his last six, and the only dog to beat him, Boyneside Fun whose 28.56 was the fastest 500 of the year. In a messy race, it would be Elaine Parker’s Scolar who would gain his revenge in a modest 29.17.
The final of the Coors Queen Mother Cup is on Sunday
