The semi finals of the Ladbrokes Doncaster St.Leger ended on a sombre note due to a fatal accident to popular open racer Master Kelly.
Drawn six in the third semi final, Hazel Kemp’s runner was on the outside of a ruck on dogs as Droopys Live struggled to hold her line on the inside. A c0ncertina effect saw Master Kelly hit the outside wall off the second second bend resulting in a life threatening injuries, and the dog contesting his 99th race was put to sleep by the track vet. Tragically, the race was won by Kelly’s kennelmate Slippy Maggie.
Mrs Kemp said: “We are just devastated. Most injuries are manageable but this was particularly bad. Michelle (daughter) is devastated, and (husband) Michael is beside himself today. We were delighted to have Maggie run an astonishing race to win her semi final and then this. Paul Illingworth from GBGB was there, I wonder whether padding to the outside wall could have saved Kelly’s life.”
GBGB senior steward Illingworth said: “It was a particularly bad injury. I watched the race and studied the video. The unfortunate dog actually hit the wall probably ten metres into the straight. It looks to me as though he lost his footing after the initial contact.
“As bad as it was, I cannot help feel that it was a total freak accident. Nobody at the track could ever remember anything like it before, and it is hard to put in preventive measures when something is just so unusual.”
The injury to Master Kelly marred what had otherwise been a sensational night’s racing. The opening heat had been won by Roxholme Poppy. After taking an early lead, she was pursued by Calico Ranger but then saw off the challenge to win by a length and a half in 41.38 (-30).
The second semi saw a return to form of defending champion Keplar Nine who gave Chris Akers his first open race winner and first Cat One finalist in the same performance. The 7-2 chance led from box to beam with Goldies Hotspur putting in another tremendous performance to come from last place to take the other qualifying place.
The ill fated third semi went to Kent St.Leger winner Slippy Maggie who avoided the early melee and rallied from fifth place with Ela Juliet struggling to see out the distance.
The draw for the final: 1 Ela Juliet, 2 Slippy Maggie, 3 Goldies Hotspur 4 Calico Ranger (W), 5 Keplar Nine (W), 6 Roxholme Poppy (W).
The racing office’s Nathan Sheppard said: “Roxholme Poppy looks like the one they will all have to beat. At one stage I thought Calico Ranger was going to catch her, though it might have been different if he had led. Goldies Hotspur was a real eye-catcher with the way she ran on so strongly.”
