2014 English Derby winner Salad Dodger qualified for Nottingham’s Betfred British Bred Final in his first race since getting knocked out of this year’s Derby at Wimbledon last week writes Jason Craddock.
Kevin Berwick’s runner trapped out second in the 480 metre heats and was gaining ground on Charlie Lister’s all the way winner Romeo Ballistic in the closing stages, eventually failing by a length and a half to the 28.96sec winner.
A kennel spokesman said: “That was only his second race in ten months and we expect him to run even better in the final given a clear round.”
The other heat went to Jim Hayton’s Lowgate Rock, who landed a scrappy first heat when leading off the penultimate turn to hold Westmead John by just over three lengths in 29.35sec.
Mays Teejay went quickest in the heats of the Stadium Bookmakers Sprint over 305 metres.
Pam Dolby’s runner was soon clear and went on to slam Lode Henry by almost four lengths in 17.68sec.
Charlie Lister’s Coolavanny Grace upset the odds on more fancied kennelmate Southern Mesut in the third heat when leading off the second turn to hold him by half a length in 17.93sec.
Sneezys Snail was a trap to line winner of the opening qualifier, holding Fire Height Hero by a head in 18.07sec.
Worsboro Spectre justified favouritism in the final of the Molston Coors Maiden Sprint Trophy over 305 metres.
Harry Crapper’s son of Ace Hi Rumble was soon clear and went on to hold local runner Pennys Aaliyah by three quarters of a length in 17.94sec.
He Got Fame came back to form to land the Betfred Trophy Final over 480 metres.
Franny Lenton’s runner flew out of the boxes and came home two lengths clear of the favourite Vatican Gurkha in 28.66sec.
Romantic Rambo, the Wimbledon and Nottingham record holder, who broke a hock last year, had his first race back in the Betfred Standard Trophy over 500 metres.
Kevin Cobbold’s dog finished fifth after early trouble.
