Droopys Buick (Yeah Man-Droopys Hilda, Nov 13) reminded racegoers of his brilliance when landing the fastest heat of the Wilf Husband Memorial at Newcastle.
The Shawfield track record breaker was withdrawn lame from the English Derby having finished fifth in the Scottish version. Since then his 480m trials had included a 28.04 run at Wimbledon and a 28.27 at Newcastle. Sent to traps at 2-5f, Jimmy Wright’s black was moderately into his stride (T3) but showed good early pace to lead at the first bend. Once clear he was never going to be caught and he crossed the line with some six and a bit lengths to spare over kennelmate Slippy Perry in a joint fastest of year, 28.40.
On a night when Droopys Nissan was wowwing them at Poole, a third littermate, sister Droopys Benz, was unable to take her opportunity in the third qualifier. She was never a factor after leaving the boxes with her handbrake on. The race went to the dog denied a placed in the Derby final by three quarters of a length, Shaneboy Freddie (Oaks Road-Shaneboy Sophia, Jul 13). Kevin Boon’s blue jacketed 7-4 second favourite led up and beat Honour and Glory by a nod short of five lengths in 28.73.
The opening heat had featured the other hound with a 28.40 on his card over course and distance, Pinpoint Boom (T3, 7-4f). But Kelly Macari’s runner never featured after a slow break as Wright’s 7-2 chance Droopys Five (Loughteen Blanco-Droopys Cyclone, Feb 14) dominated from box to beam in 28.54. Woody Antigua (T2 10-1) was beaten a length with Maum Legend (T5 5-2) back in third.
The supporting Deluxe Flooring Puppy event saw heat wins for Bramble Mackem (Burnpark Champ-Andthem, Jul 14) in 28.75, Newinn Blitz (Kinloch Brae-Any Time Again, Sep 14) in 28.78 and Ranger Reidy (Kinloch Brae-Amber Bound, Sep 14) in 29.37
