A Clash but no clash for June - with Champion Stakes semi form - Greyhound Star

Trainer June Harvey is relieved that her two Coral Champi0n Stakes heat winners Clash and Ower Boy Bullet avoided each other in the semi finals – following the ‘unfortunate business’ in the Sussex Cup.

Clash was marginally quickest on the clock with a 35.08 run, Bullet was just two spots slower with Saleen Ash a similar margin away in the third fastest heat.

It was a mixed night for Mark Wallis with Roswell Romanov eliminated but ante post favourite Bombers Bullet, as one of only four remaining railers, presented with a ‘plot draw’ for the semi finals, up against Clash.

June said: “I thought we had a good chance with both Clash and Bullet in the Sussex Cup but they ruined each others chances in the semi finals.

“Both dogs have come off the track in great shape, they have been in the Porta-Mag this morning, and we are looking forward to next week. I would have preferred trap four with Clash, but three is fine, and way better than five.

“Before they ran there, I wasn’t sure how well Clash would stay the 575 metres, but he actually looks stronger than Bullet who really doesn’t want any further.”

The Hampshire based trained would love nothing more than to win a big race as ‘Harvey – Hove’ for the first time. June joined the track a couple of months ago.

She said: “I am absolutely loving it there, it is a fantastic track and I tried for so long to be attached. Everybody is so kind and friendly.

“Ideally, I would like a few more dogs as I have four empty kennels. We are only a small set-up here – myself and my husband, my son Matthew, and with help from John Martrett, Trudie Muir and Ruth Disouza – without whom we couldn’t do any of this.”

Sadly, the kennel’s Regency winner Clares Kyletaun is making slow progress following the operation to repair a broken stopper bone, sustained in a race at Kilkenny.

June said: “He was hurt at the pick-up and we were told it was 50:50 that he would ever race again. We had the operation with a vet in Stoke but he is struggling. He has lost a lot of muscle and condition but it is early days. If he ever does come back, we won’t even be thinking about it until next year.”