Conna Trigger emerged as the new favourite for the William Hill Classic at Sunderland after a night of triumph and tragedy for local trainer Kelly Macari writes John Forbes.
Her 2013 champion Pinpoint Maxi was the market leader as the round commenced but he was in real trouble at the first turn and broke a leg for the second time in his career. He was given immediate veterinary care and a full assessment of the injury will be made on Monday. Pinpoint Finas was left to carry the flag for the kennel in the first semi and he did it perfectly making all to win by threequarter of a length from Jolly Tricks in 27.14 for the 450 metres, while the Macari’s Conna Trigger took centre stage in the third semi defeating No But by half a length in a flying 26.78.
Sandwiched in between Laughing Gravy also led from trap to line as he defeated Bubbly Ninja by four lengths in 26.93.
Paul Prior’s Toottoottootsie was the star of the show in the Grand Prix, clocking 39.62 for the 640 metres as she came home seven lengths clear of Teejays Panther in the second semi.
Dinzeo, a finalist in last years’ competition, gets another shot at the title after defeating Bubbly Gold by a length and threequarters in in 39.97 in the first semi and last year’s winner Farley Rio earned the right to defend the crown by accounting for Jaytee China by threequarters of a length in 39.81.
The first round of the Puppy Plate saw Droopys Buick enhance his growing reputation with a runaway four and a half-length victory over Astra Prince in 26.90 for the 450 metres, while Walshes Hill lived up to expectations in heat two of the Festival Flyer, winning by five and a quarter lengths from Guinness Flyer in 15.41 for the 261 metres.
Kelly Macari’s vet is expected to operate on Monday on Pinpoint Maxi’s leg that was broken in his semi-final of the William Hill Classic at Sunderland on Saturday.
The trainer reported that the dog is doing as well as can be expected adding: “Everything that can be done will be done and the news is that we believe he can come through this and he will be retired to live with us when he is fully recovered.”
The draws for Wednesday’s Sky-televised finals are –
William Hill Classic: 1 Pinpoint Finas, 2 No But, 3 Bubbly Ninja (m), 4 Jolly Tricks (m), 5 Laughing Gravy (w), 6 Conna Trigger (w).
William Hill Grand Prix: 1 Bubby Gold, 2 Teejays Panther, 3 Jaytee China, 4 Farley Rio (m), 5 Dinzeo (m), 6 Toottoottootsie (w)
William Hill Puppy Plate: 1 Camp Joker, 2 Droopys Buick, 3 Droopys Vodka, 4 My Little Dream (m), 5 Astra Prince (m), 6 Velvet Speedy (m).
William Hill Festival Flyer: 1 Guinness Eagle, 2 Colliery Jazz, 3 Daytime Flyer (m), 4 Ballymac Cable (m), 5 Forest Vic (m), 6 Walshes Hill (m).
