Aimnfire and Roxholme Ted, two dogs that battled out the finish in the Golden Crest Final earlier this year were the two quickest heat winners in the Carlsberg Classic heats over 450 metres at Poole on Tuesday.
Aimnfire, trained by former Poole handler June Harvey, who is now at Wimbledon, blasted clear from the boxes in the third qualifier and went on to beat Roxholme Bob by three and a half lengths in 26.41sec.
Bob’s trainer Hayley Keightley went one better with her Roxholme Ted in the last qualifier when he led from pillar to post to beat Jolly Ranger by almost four lengths in a fastest of the session 26.36sec.
Local handler Jo Burridge was the trainer to follow in the first two heats when scoring a double with Ninja Diva and Skyjack.
Ninja Diva, a September 13 son of Droopys Scolari pulled clear from the opening turn and went on to beat Seiskin Raptor by just over three lengths in 26.54sec.
Sky Jack had to work harder in heat two when he reeled in long-time leader Sizzlerscheyenneon the line to score by the minimum distance in 26.78sec.
Draw for Tuesday’s semi-finals
1 Sizzlerscheyenne
2 Aimnfire
3 Ninja Diva
4 Seiskin Raptor
5 Roxholme Ted (w)
6 Droopys Rem (w)
1 Sky Jack
2 Alba Lomond
3 Jolly Ranger
4 Fizzypop Hawk (m)
5 Roxholme Bob (w)
6 Dians Shadow (w)
