Crossfield Dusty emulated former kennelmate Bockos Jon Jo by landing the Northamptonshire Sprint and will now attempt the second leg of the double as he heads to Romford for the Coral Golden Sprint.
He ran from trap four in Sunday’s final:
The Patrick Janssens trained blue brindle is actually a better sprinter than his illustrious predecessor on two bend form. Jon Jo’s best for the Towcester 270m course was 16.64, a time Dusty has already bettered three times and has a personal best of 15.54.
Last year, the Golden Sprint was staged before the Towcester equivalent though Patrick is confident that Dusty will see out the 400 metres. He won one of his four races over course and distance last August/September clocking a best of 24.00. That form means he will not be required to trial at London Road before Friday’s first round.
Patrick said: “I would say that Dusty has more early than Jon Jo, but Jon Jo had more middle distance pace. But I am confident that Dusty will see out the 400. He was only 19 or 20 months old back then and is a much better dog now.
“What both dogs have in common is an absolute determination to win. You can see that in Steve Nash’s action shot. You can have all the pace in the world, but the top dogs wouldn’t be the top dogs if it wasn’t for that desire.
“You can’t tell me that Westmead Hawk was always lucky to get a run. He made his own luck through his will to win. They are born with it, and without it, you are wasting your time.”
Sunday’s victory takes Patrick back into second place in the Trainers Championship and after a dearth of stayers, he is taking a strong field to Yarmouth for an attempt at the George Ing Memorial, won last year by Blue Tick George.
They are headed by last year’s Corn Cuchulainn runner-up Bockos Brandy. Formerly trained by Graham Holland, Brandy went to within 17 and 18 spots respectively of the Shelbourne/Cork 750 yard track records.
She has trialed twice at Towcester and had her first look at Yarmouth today.
Blackrose Pippa was a Golden Jacket semi finalist, Blackrose Tadh has 29.58 form over 500m at Towcester which Affleck Macy has three wins in four races, including her first open, over 500m at Towcester.
Look out too for a strong Janssens entry in the BGBF British Breeders Stakes which gets underway at Nottingham a week today.
The Dave Firmager bred Romeo Top Gun was impressive in defeat in a top class novice event at Clonmel and has since trialed at Nottingham in 30.35 (500). Even more impressive is 28.62 Clonmel winner Romeo On Tilt who since trialed in 15.83 for the Towcester sprint.
Patrick said: “They are both young dogs and open to plenty of improvement. I think they will make a good showing at Nottingham.”
Last – but most – are things are ticking along quite nicely for the Janssens Derby team which could be ten strong by the time the event gets underway in May.
The kennel’s recent high profile purchase is June puppy Coolavanny Shado who won his opening heat of the Juvenile Classic in 28.28 at Tralee.
Patrick said: “It is a competition that I always keep an eye on. I watched video and was very impressed. He was a dog that interest me anyway, being a half brother to Bockos Belly, and by Droopys Sydney.
“I called Noel Hehir at 7.30am the following (Saturday) morning and asked if the dog was for sale. Noel hadn’t made his mind up but promised me first refusal. He phoned back on the Sunday and we did the deal. He is owned by a syndicate of six including myself and is due to arrive with us on Wednesday.”
DEELISH FRANKIE (t2) gets up to short head Swift Quincey (t4) in puppy open Photo: © Steve Nash
Shado will be joining a team that includes Deelish Frankie (29.43, 29.47 – 500m Towcester), Fabulous Azzura (British Bred Derby, 281.3 P.Barr, 29.32 Towcester), Lautaro, Aussie Captain and track record holder Bockos Belly.
Lautaro (t5) approaching the first bend before crowding paved the way for Nov’17 Faughan Rebel (t6) to win for the third time in his fairytale return from an injury layoff. Photo: © Steve Nash
Patrick said: “Frankie is only a July puppy but very very fast. Lautaro has lots of ability but is very inexperienced and still and needs more racing. I really rate Azzurra and think she can go a long way in the Derby and it will be good to see how Bockos Belly comes back. He might lack a yard to the bend in top company, but if he can stay out of trouble, he has pace to burn.”
But there is no disputing who is the kennel’s first string, the reigning champion Thorn Falcon.
Patrick said: “Apart from him being knocked over, I can’t see any way that he doesn’t keep qualifying all the way through to the final. He is a dog with everything: pace, balance, bravery, trackcraft and determination. The dog is a born winner.
“We were beaten in the Blue Riband by Ivy Hill Skyhigh. Well done to them; their dog ran a great race.
“But I honestly still think Falcon was unlucky and the fastest dog in the final. We will trial him back at the end of March and bring him forward with the Derby in mind. As things stand at the moment, I couldn’t be happier with him and I genuinely think he can win it again.”
Crossfield Dusty wth Patrick Janssens and Kelly Bakewell. Photo: © Steve Nash
