“I think he could be at least as good as his father”
Henlow racing manager Paul Mellor was on record as describing Coolavanny Bert as good as any of the Westmead puppy champions to have graced the track – so comparing recent Henlow Christmas Cracker winner Coolavanny Gooch as his equal is no small compliment.
The March puppy went to traps as 2-1 second favourite for the 460m decider and beat track record holder Mays King by two lengths in 27.53 (-10).
It was the tenth race of his career and his record now reads: 10 races, 7-wins, 2-seconds, 1-third.
Mellor said: “He is a fantastic dog and has so much early pace. Although the sectionals are now quicker than when Bert was at his peak, 3.68 is still amazing.
“It is a fantastic start to Bert’s stud career. We also have Moors Matilda running here.
“She is from a different litter but is real quality. She won an A5 in 27.59 which meant I had to upgrade her to A3.
“She won that too, even though she didn’t get clear early on and still recorded 27.72.”
Gooch is out of Irish brood Oneco Vixen, Matilda is from Bert’s first ever litter out of British brood Stay With Me.
Owner/trainer John Gardner said: “I knew she was special from the day I schooled her with Gooch at Dunham. Although he led a long way, Matilda came from the back and went past him after the line.
“I have made her available to the Henlow racing office but also plan to enter her in an open at Hove.
“As for Gooch, he is a big dog and we have to look to the future and the big races next year.”
Kevin Boothby (right) presents the Christmas Cracker trophy to John Gardner
