Magical Bale could live up to Kevin Hutton’s previous assessment that ‘he could be a bit special’ by clocking a sizzling 29.24 in the semi finals of the ECC Timber Puppy Derby at Towcester. Both semi finals produced shocks with the two favourites failing to qualify.
The first semi final was a messy affair and saw the elimination of favourite Sporting Dave. Drawn red, he missed his break and trailed Kilcree Diamond and Headford Kev into the first bend. Diamond checked off the second leaving Headford Kev in front. The favourite forced his way into second place but was then barged off the rail at the third bend by the novicey but extremely pacey Lightfoot King. The eventual winner Roxholme Poppy (Aero Majestic-Pookies Sophie, Mar 16), who had been last at the first bend, railed cleverly off the last to take up the running in the final 50 metres and won ‘going away’ in 29.81. A definite future staying star.
ROXHOLME POPPY (last at the first bend) comes through to win the first ECC Timber Puppy Derby semi from Lightfoot King (t2). Photo: © Steve Nash
The second semi final saw favourite Wuheida trap well but with Magical Bale (Zero Ten-Sizzling Sarah, Jan 16) on her outside. He moved across to rail at the first bend causing Wuheida to check and lose four to five lengths. The leader was also slightly impeded but led off the second bend from Affleck Bolt and Innocent Times. The latter seemed to be making a race of it until the third bend but ran out of gas and Affleck Bolt ran on for second. The game Wuheida lost nothing in defeat and was unlucky not to steal the last qualifying place.
MAGICAL BALE wins the second ECC Timber Puppy Derby semi from Affleck Bolt (t5) in an impressive 29.24. Photo: © Steve Nash
ECC Timber Puppy Derby Final draw: 1 Lightfoot King 2 Magical Bale (m) 3 Affleck Bolt (m) 4 Roxholme Poppy (w) 5 Innocent Times (w) 6 Headford Kev (w)
Interestingly, the two semi final winners were unraced going into the competition.
