A thoroughly merited win for Untold Dollar, the youngest finalist in the PGR Puppy Derby Final at Monmore. A model of consistency, his sectionals (trials and races) were clocked at 4.41, 4.42, 4.40, 4.40 (plus one handtimed). Excluding trouble in the first round (28.55), his winning times were calculated at 28.30, 28.27, 28.27, 28.31.
At Central Park, Queen Joni completed an unbeaten run through the Kent Plate in a new FOY for the 491m, 28.91 on going rated at -10. Joni is the only bitch to break 29.00 over the 481m course; Droopys Clue’s track record is 28.81. It was also Joni’s 15th win in 21 races.
With the Brighton Belle on the horizon, many would have taken note of Joni’s litter sister Queen Georgia following her run for Hove’s 515m course on Thursday. It wasn’t just the time, 30.54 (-50) but the way she overcame a slow break and first bend crowding to win by nearly six.
Completing a trio of fast females is Crafty Shivoo who followed up last week’s 28.81 over the English Derby course with a 28.89 run on Sunday. The 2023 Empress Stakes winner is the only bitch to break 29.00 so far this year.
The first round of the Bet365 Hunt Cup dominated proceedings at Oxford where ante post favourite Droopys Clue rubber stamped his form over Havana Top Note with the quickest run of the first round, 39.62 for the 650 metres. With a clear run on normal going he will surely go close to 39.00!
Droopys Clue’s litter sister Droopys Bluechip clocked the fastest 575 of the week at Romford on the same night, 35.23. Hot Rod’s 23.76 was the quickest over the standard. The selection though is puppy Droopys Rarity with a 23.82 run, making it four wins and a second in his last five races. The runner-up was litter brother Droopys Standby.
Sheffield’s Bresbet Gymcrack starts next Sunday. This weekend the locals would have been casting a curious eye over a couple of local hopefuls in Ballymac Wylder (29.19) and Ellanne Run (28.73). It wouldn’t be accurate to describe Wicky Ned as being ‘under the radar’ – you don’t clock 15.67 for the sprint and 27.35 and start at 1-3f as a complete unknown – sneaking into a maiden open was definitely ‘stealth mode’. It worked though – the Jimmy Fenwick trained youngster clocked the quickest 500m run of the year, 28.45.
There was also a cracking run from an August pup at Yorkshire neighbours Kinsley where Da Man Joey clocked the second fastest 462 of the year, 27.66 (+40). It also completed a four timer for Mark May’s black.
Former Sheffield A3 hound Stonepark Patsy had only been out of the first two once in seven races, all at decent prices, when he went to traps as the 7/4f in a Sunderland A3 on Friday. After breaking the 4.90 sectional barrier for the first time, he was not for catching and finished almost five clear of the opposition in 27.08.
Last week’s Nottingham selection with a 17.54 run in the sprint was an October ’21 son of Droopys Sydney. Coppice Rocket. This week’s selection was the same age, by the same sire but clocked 17.63. Cunnigar Yousir.
Last week, we mentioned how unlucky May pup Baggios Intent was not to be the Swindon POW after clocking the fastest 476 of the year, 28.00. He was beaten on Thursday by the September youngster Droopys Suprstar with a 27.95 run. A penalty kick selection. This week’s unlucky hound was Crossfield Larry who beat the previously invincible Dashing Dude in a very decent 15.24 for the sprint.
From pups and sprinters to pensioners and sprinters and this week’s golden oldie is Kim Billingham’s Across The Field. A 2/5 chance at Doncaster on Saturday night, he found two spots on his previous FOY when recording 16.73.
On Thursday track record holder Bettys Jack returned to Suffolk Downs where he had won his last eight races. The punter reckoned Druids Say Go was an 8/13 chance to beat him and they were proved right as the beaten Golden Sprint finalist romped up in 23.43.
The limitations of the timer were exposed at Harlow once again this week. Britbull Casper, the only sub-26.50 winner earlier in the week, went to traps as a 6/1 chance in A2 and was beaten eight lengths by 26.88 (-15) winner Classy Turbo.
It is a pretty safe bet that any Newcastle A1 that includes Wraybury Diva will probably be the feature race of the week. It was this week, though she didn’t win it. Honours went to the Steve Caile trained Delvin Cat with a 28.84 (-10) run.
There was only one runner from last week’s exceptional A1 back in action at Perry Barr on Saturday. Although fifth behind Swizz Star and Swift Prank, Greenhill Evie was well up to the task and saw off top heat in 28.70.
Minor opens contested by local hounds are usually tarted up graded events. Not so at Yarmouth on Saturday where a high class 462m event saw Jason Bloomfield’s Silver Salver third Ballyard Shawny (6/1) holding on by a black short head from Swift Iconic (5/4f) and Wrighty (11/4).
Craig Marston sets off for Wales every Sunday and comes back with pockets (or bank account) bulging. With six wins in his last eight outings, including two £500 finals, none has plundered more vigorously than Whisky Copper who followed up last week’s 28.17 with a 28.15 for the standard.
Pelaw probably (! we haven’t double checked) had the oldest and youngest race winners this week. So while Glengiblin Buick (Aug ’18) was picking off an A6, 17 month old Hillside Lily was clocking the fastest time of the week in A3, 25.85.
There were a wide range of options at Crayford Capel Rose clocked a very decent 45.09 for the 714m. But we’ve gone for a Holloway hurdle tricast. In third spot, veteran Lenson Doolin with career win 41 from 81 races. In second spot, the ex-Romford A5 runner completing her eight timer over hurdles, Bouncy Doorman. But heading them all, completing a six-timer and bettering his own FOY for the 540m hurdle course, Coppice Fox.
