Double headers are very rare events in this feature but how do we possibly separate Bellmore Sally and Lenson Doolin, winner of the two Cat Ones at Crayford on Saturday?
For Bellmore Sally, the step up from double Golden Jacket winner to TV Trophy means her introduction to the Crayford Hall of Fame is just a matter of time. Her 33.50 sectional was a six spot improvement on her previous outing and a couple of spots quicker than the machine that is Bens Lad (7 in a row and counting).
As for Lenson Doolin, a Champion Hurdle title and a fabulous new track record; a length quicker than the previous best jointly held by two former Holloway handled runners, Razldazl Raidio and Droopys Cruiser. It is worth noting that the track wasn’t running particularly fast (+10) and Ricky’s runner was three lengths quicker than the fastest of the three 380m opens on the flat.
Then on Saturday night, Droopys Fidget landed the Cat One event she so richly deserves with the FOY run for the Sheffield 500 metre course. The August pup has only contested 10 races and won six of them.
On the same night, litter brother Droopys Clue clocked the fastest 500 staged at Hove this year with a 29.27 (-20), a third career win in as many outings. A mention too for No Rush who clocked the fastest 515, 30.05 on going rated -10, in the Coral Brighton Belle. That’s four wins in her last six for Carol Weatherall’s blue daughter of King Elvis.
Elvis’s ‘nephew’ King Stevens (his mum is Elvis’ litter sister) continued his steady career progress at Central Park when dismissing a decent quality A1 field in 29.19 (-20). There is more to come too, given it wasn’t his quickest sectional and the British bred pup is still to experience summer going.
In addition to their exploits at Sheffield, Team Hunt were also on the mark at Monmore on Saturday night where Antigua Woofwoof clocked the fifth fastest 480 of the year, 28.05. That’s three wins in his last five races.
On the subject of Monmore, this year’s Ladbrokes Winter Derby winner Coolavanny Shado was back in the Midlands for the first round of the ARC Laurels at Perry Barr. The track record holder was 20 spots off that personal best with a 27.99 run.
The Grand Prix semi finals looked set to dominate this week’s Sunderland selection this week, but that was underestimating the locally bred Witton Venus with a new 450m track record of 26.41. That is a length inside Droopys Trapper’s old clock. (Mum’s fastest was 26.85)
There was almost a similar theme at Oxford where the Liz McNair trained Havana Top Note and Havana Lover clocked identical times of 40.30 (-30) for the 650 in the semi finals of the Hunt Cup. (TR 39.68). However on the same card, Matt Dartnall’s Droopys Ambush completed an Oxford seven-timer in a flying 27.04 (-20). Fromposttopillar’s clock is 26.82.
Frank Bryce’s Baggios Champ, third in last year’s Hunt Cup at Towcester, returned to the Northamptonshire circuit on Sunday and romped up by 16 lengths. His 43.03 is over four lengths quicker than the next fastest time over the 712 metres this year, and just two spots off his personal best.
With many of the top Swindon runners in opens at Oxford on Friday (Ballymac Conti won in 27.15), Velocity Drive produced the fastest run of the week back in Blunsdon. His 28.39 ten length open race win completed a hat-trick for John Campbell’s ex-Shelbourne runner. A mention too for fast A2 winner Kilara Phantom (28.29).
Similarly, most of the Newcastle big hitters were on raiding parties elsewhere leaving one outstanding A1 to be staged on Saturday. It went to the track’s most high profile ‘last to first’ performer (and double Northern Flat finalist) Droopys Biggy.
Times are notoriously difficult to evaluate at Harlow but an 11 length open race win, less so. Essjay John did just that when clocking 26.39 (-10) on Wednesday night. That is three in a row for Sharon Saberton’s pup who clocked 26.27 in his previous outing.
Another fairly quiet week at Nottingham in terms of opens with a double for Kevin Cobbold with Lakeview Floyd the quicker of his winners. That is two from his last thee opens at Colwick Park, yet he struggles to win A1 back at Yarmouth. There was a fast A2 win from Droopys Annalise (29.79) later in the week, though the going was assessed as 30 spots quicker.
Similarly, a lack of Cat 1s saw another week where minor open winners dominated at Romford. Pick of the bunch was probably Droopys Barry completing a hat-trick with a battling run through the field over six bends.
Some good A1 racing at Doncaster this week. Nolas Moment clocked a flying 29.60 in top company on Wednesday. Defending POW Trewmount Star did 30.05 having left half a dozen lengths on the track. Also, one for the notebook. Ballymac Levi produced an eight length win in 30.33 (-60) on Sunday. Some run for an 18 month old pup.
Suffolk Downs first opens took place on Thursday including their first 716m race. While it is difficult to assess a time for a new distance, Energize App is the track’s fastest six bend performer and despite checking at the pick-up, he wasn’t stopping. Officially it is a track record, which means he shares a clock (plus one lap) with brother Saffrons Dash.
From Suffolk to Norfolk and a fastest sprint of the year for Dave Prentice’s Somersham Kenzie. His 16.20 run is just 18 spots outside the Yarmouth 277m track record.
At Henlow, the outstanding run of the week was produced by ‘late bloomer’ Jogon Blue in the week’s sole A1 on Sunday evening. Just two weeks short of veteran status, and contesting his 43rd race, the Richard Devenish trained blue recorded the quickest 460 so far this year, 27.33. But given his breeding, you might argue that it’s not before time!
Two minutes later, Kinsley staged their highest grade of the last seven days, an A2. It went to Pucca Poppy in the week’s only sub 28.00 run. It was also a career best run for a three year old who failed to trouble the judge in her 10 Irish races. Her first two race times in Yorkshire were equally unmemorable: ’29.68’ and ‘0.00’.
Earlier in the day, Knockalton Madam took the bragging rights at Pelaw Grange with a 26.02 run in A3. That’s five wins in 13 races since arriving from Limerick.
