The race for this year’s top sprinter title looked a one-dog affair a few weeks ago, but following another great run from Daytime Flyer in the final of the BresMed Northern Sprint at Sheffield on Tuesday the stage looks set for a dramatic showdown at Nottingham later this year writes John Forbes.
Daytime Flyer brought Walshes Hill’s triumphant run to a halt in the final of the Festival Flyer at Sunderland and with that rival sidelined from the Owlerton competition with an injury he didn’t hang about furthering his burgeoning reputation.
Having won his heat in good style, he broke fast again in the decider box and dominated throughout, coming home two and a quarter lengths clear of Methley Bridge in 15.95 for the 280 metres.
After connections had donated the £4,000 prizemoney to a fund to assist in paying for the return of Paul Moore, a friend of trainer Peter Wood’s son who was hospitalised in a coma in Majorca, the Hartlepool handler said: “I have been working very hard with him all week preparing him for the final and it’s been a great night for us.
“The dog’s has now been through a couple of hard competitions back to back and I will be giving him three of four weeks off.
“We have nothing immediately in mind for him, we will have to see what is in the Calendar when we bring him back, but, obviously the National Sprint at Nottingham will be the main target later in the year.”
Barrie Draper’s thoughts turned to Monmore after Glenpadden Ace scored a comfortable success in the final of the BresMed Stayers where the son of Ace Hi Rumble denied Harry Crapper a major success on the night of his retirement.
Glenpadden Ace led from the third corner and maintained a strong gallop throughout to ironically defeat Crapper’s Dinzeo and Worsboro Phantom that have now joined the Draper strength by two and three quarter lengths and four and a half lengths in 38.70 for the 660 metres.
His record now stands at seven wins from nine starts and Draper said: “The timing of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup Festival at Monmore falls in nicely for him after this competition.”
Belle Vue trainer Ron Smith’s perseverance got its reward in the decider of the BresMed Puppy with his My Little Dream taking the prize by a length from Calzaghe Teddy in 28.16 for the 480 metres.
After winning a maiden event at Nottingham in May Smith had travelled far and wide looking to add to that without success, but this time the plucky little wide runner was able to take full advantage that was afforded her by the coming together of the inside runners and Smith enthused: “She’s a really nice bitch and the ideal event for her is possibly the Romford Puppy Cup over 400 metres, although there is also the Puppy Oaks at Nottingham to consider.”
Conna Trigger almost certainly earned a second shot at the Steel City Cup after he a runaway 27.53 victory over Izhesound in the veterans’ contest. The son of Premier Fantasy was runner-up in the Sheffield showpiece last year and this was just the sort of performance that trainer Kelly Macari was looking for from him before committing him to the event again.
