Swift Hoffman gave Pat Rosney his biggest success as a trainer when landing the RPGTV Scottish Derby over 480 metres at Shawfield on Saturday.
The son of Makeshift went to traps the 6-4 favourite after being backed from a morning best of 9-4 but looked to have little chance when in fifth place rounding the opening turn.
7-1 chance Save The Don has hit the boxes running and led narrowly from Lenson Sanchez before cutting across that rival to leave himself clear going down the far side.
Fraser Black’s Save The Don continued to hold a two length lead down the far side from Coolavanny Jap, who moved right up at the third turn.
Whether Save The Don checked into the turn or Coolvanny Jap ran into him is open to conjecture but they did each other no favours and Swift Hoffman swept around the outside followed by Oaks winner Cashen Maureen and he eventually beat her just over three lengths in 28.98sec. Save The Don fell on the run-in.
Rosney said afterwards: “This is my best night in dog racing. I had given up on him at the second bend and I don’t know what happened at the top corner but to win from where he was unbelievable.
“He has trialled well and for me improved throughout the competition and it is great to win such a prestigious race in front of a knowledgeable doggy crowd.
“He’ll now go to Wimbledon for the English Derby.”
Owner Paul Scott said: “When he didn’t come away I thought we were in trouble. I don’t know how he did it. The dog is definitely back to his best.”
The night was even more memorable for Rosney when Vatican Ghurka landed the £2,000 RPGTV Puppy Final.
The son of Scolari Me Daddy, who was beaten in the heats, blasted clear from traps and came home four lengths clear of Skywalker Jaypee in a fast 29.13sec.
Greenwell Ace was a trap to line winner of the RPGTV Final over 500 metres.
Pat Flaherty’s runner was backed down from a morning best of 3-1 to a track-side even money and his supporters never had an anxious moment as she came home just over a length clear of Nadurra Tar in 30.14sec.
Farloe Nutter, the 2014 Monmore Puppy Derby winner, landed his first race this year after a lay-off in a 480 metre supporting contest.
George Power’s runner flew out of the boxes and went clear down the far side. He eventually held the unlucky Greenwell Lark by a head in 29.43sec.
