Shotgun Bullet picked up a fifth Ladbrokes Golden Jacket for Derek Knight Crayford on Tuesday, though he reminded his trainer of his first ever winner of the competition.
Last week the Hove handler promised there would be excuses if his 5-4f failed to achieved his six-timer and 11th win from his last 13 races. Despite breaking slightly behind Piemans Jet, the Coronation Cup winner soon took up the running and was three clear of David Mullins’ runner after 380m.
The latter, who was bumped at the bend and later faded, was picked up by the ‘find of the competition’, Mrs Roo. Although Simon Harms runner took a length out of the leader on the second circuit and was begging for another half circuit, the winner crossed the line for a professional (almost) four length win in 44.95.
(Surely massive credit to the Crayford track staff for producing a circuit that ran +40 on a such a bleak weather day in Kent – Ed)
Derek said: “I was very pleased with the run. I am always a bit concerned when dogs who have been drawn on the outside switch to the middle there is a chance they will miss their break. He certainly didn’t come away at his best, but he showed bravery at the first bend and ran very well.
“I am very pleased for the John Ward and Jim Hayes in particular. They are having such a great time with this little dog. We have actually had a very good run at Crayford recently, when you think about Maireads Ivy too. It is a very different track to Hove, but if you get the right sort of dog. . . . at the end of the day, you are only as good as your dogs.”
Although Derek won three Jackets between 1994-96 (Wexford Minx twice, Coolmona Road), the early paced Bullet reminded him more closely of Amazing Man, who won the event in 1984, and also of Hay Maker Mack who ran third in 1983, on each occasion when the event was over 660m at Harringay.
Amazing Man, who was owned by Victor Chandler, switched back to four bends and ran second in the Olympic. Hay Maker Mack (“the best I ever handled”) also returned to the standard distance and broke the ultimate track record, for White City’s 500m.
Derek said: “The Essex Vase closed yesterday and although we know Bullet runs the track well, it wouldn’t have been fair to put him straight into another competition. He will have a month off, and then we will think about Towcester.
“Although he doesn’t have Derby class pace for four bends, these good genuine dogs, who run on well, can go a long way in the Derby.”
Will he be the kennel’s only runner?
“If you know anybody who has a Derby runner, ask them to give me a call. . . . . and I’ll see if I can find them a trainer.”
SHOTGUN BULLET in his Golden Jacket. Photo: © Steve Nash
