Last year’s winner Salad Dodger was eliminated from the William Hill Greyhound Derby over 480 metres at Wimbledon in Fridays third session of first round heats.
Kevin Berwick’s held every chance when turning the first bend in second place before finding trouble.
Sidarian Blaze, the Easter Cup winner got his campaign off to a winning start but Charlie Lister’s Teds Last went quickest with 28.37sec. Scottish Derby winner Swift Hoffman was also safely through.
Teds Last, the number one hope of Charlie Lister, scored a comfortable victory in the first heat. The son of Vans Escalade was soon clear and went on to beat Ninja Turbo by four lengths in 28.37sec.
Assistant trainer Ian Sutherland said: “He’s only a pup but is doing everything right.”
Odds-on Irish favourite Blue Cafu was eliminated after a missed break and getting knocked over at the first turn. The race went to Peter Cronin’s Salonika, who swept around the outside to lead off the second turn to eventually beat Sparta Flame by almost four lengths in 29.18sec.
Cronin said afterwards: “He trialled well and stays on. The dog ran off the bend a bit but did it well in the end.”
Deanridge Pennys was another Irish fancy to exit the competition in heat 25. Pat Curtin’s runner was right up there at the turn but Ashburn Lark wiped him out when bouncing off the inside rail. The race went to Mark Wallis’s Evanta Fantasy, who was left clear and went on to beat Marmalady by two and a half lengths in 28.63sec.
Wallis said: “She ran well and proved she can do it away from Romford.”
Magical Hotch came from last to first to land heat 26. Ballyregan Billy led until the third turn when Irish runner Barefoot Artist took up the running and looked likely to win but Magical Hotch got up in the shadow of the post to score by a head in 28.66sec.
Baker said afterwards: “Once he gets a bit of room he can run.”
Fairy Prince gave Paul Young his third winner in the Derby so far in a scrappy heat 27. Burgess Oscar flew to the bend but failed to negotiate the turn and Fairy Prince went on to beat Dusktildawn by almost two lengths in 29.16sec.
Assistant trainer Mim Emment said: “He ran realty well and did everything right.”
Salad Dodger, last year’s winner was eliminated from the Derby in heat 28. Kevin Berwick’s runner trapped out well but was tapped for early speed and found trouble at the turn. Meanwhile Queen Asia led until the third turn but was passed by rank outsider Here We Go. However Derek Knight’s Shotgun Harley came round the outside to get up close home and score by a length and a half in 28.83sec.
Knight said: “He’s a clever dog; he’s not much early pace but did it well and will give the owners some good fun.”
2013 Derby finalist Screen Critic was a trap to line winner of heat 29. Kevin Hutton’s runner was soon well clear and helped by a little trouble at the corner went on to hold the late flourish of Bubbly Beauty by a length and a half in 28.77sec.
Hutton said afterwards: “He came out three clear; it was a good run for an old dog and he’s always better fresh.”
Sidarian Blaze was an impressive winner of heat 30. Graham Holland’s runner pulled clear from the first turn and came home almost four lengths clear of Mash Mad Blackie in 28.43sec.
Holland said afterwards: “He did it well and it’s great to have another one in next week’s draw.”
Evanta Evita was a game winner of heat 31. Mark Wallis’s bitch forced her way to the front at the opening bend but was challenged from halfway by Millwards Davy but she stuck her neck out to score by half a length in 28.91sec.
Wallis said: “She was headed at the third turn but battled hard to win.”
Wallis was on the mark again in heat 32 when his Ballymac Sinbad was a big priced winner. The son of Burnpark Champ led from the opening turn; where Irish hope Ballymac Matt found trouble, and went on to hold Romany Rouge by three quarters of a length in 28.81sec.
Wallis remarked: “It was such a tough heat but he’s won three out of his four races at Towcester before he came here. He’s a dog with potential and still young.”
Ascot Woodie battled hard to land heat 33. Pat Rosney’s runner led to the turn but was passed by Irish runner Dungil Rocket. However he came again at the last turn and eventually beat Go Ahead in 28.78sec.
Julie McCombe assistant trainer said: “He’s a smashing dog and stuck to his task well.”
Scottish Derby winner Swift Hoffman gave his supporters a few anxious moments before coming through to land heat 34, breaking his trap five duck in the process.
View The Moon led at the turn from Swift Perth and Sidarian Vega with Swift Hoffman only fourth. However he came wide off the last turn to catch Swift Perth close home and score by half a length in 28.91sec.
McCombe remarked: “He doesn’t let us don too often.”
Ibiza Rocks was a trap to line winner of the last qualifier. Kevin Hutton’s runner went clear form the first turn and went on to hold American Werwolf by five lengths in 28.79sec.
Hutton said afterwards: “We’ve not seen the best of him and we’re looking forward to the next round.”
