Kent Derby next for Churchfield Syd

Churchfield Syd is being aimed at a defence of his Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby title at Central Park.

A crack at the Birmingham Cup had been planned but a lack of time between the Perry Barr feature and his brilliant Monmore Gold Cup win on Saturday has forced a rethink. The first round at Perry Barr is on September 7 while Central Park does not start until October 5.

“He’d need a trial there before and that takes another week into the competition so there’s no break really,” said trainer Richard Rees. “We want to give him a couple of weeks off and then we’ll trial him at Central Park.”

Venus is on another planet

Avongate Venus makes it 8/9 since joining Phil Milner.

The Category One bet365 Empress Stakes starts next Sunday at Towcester. Avongate Venus has put herself front and centre as one of the main contenders after taking her Towcester record to 4/5 and her overall to 8/9 since arriving from Ireland. She went 50 spots quicker than any of the other 500m winners on the card, with the 11 opens on the afternoon going to 11 different trainers.

Longacres Romeo and Silverhill Adam were separated by just a spot as the second and third quickest over 500m on the afternoon. Fill The Silence was quickest over the sprint trip with Gurtnacrehy Paul taking the only six-bend contest.

Sabo makes a slick six-bend debut

Ricky Holloway dominated Crayford’s Sunday card.

Six winners on the evening for Holloway were started with Sick Sabo. The 2023 Puppy Classic winner when trained by Graham Rankin, had long looked as if he was worth a try over at least an easy six bends like Crayford. A Guys & Dolls finalist last week, he stopped the clock in a smart 33.54.

Dazl Hermes and Four From Two were slower 540m winners with Time To Talk and Signet Harper winning over 380m, the latter in a hurdle. Over 714m, Razldazl Amanda produced 45.14. She and her litter brother Dazl Rolex have nine of the top 27 times in 2024 over eight bends at Crayford between them.

Tony Collett had three winners on the card. Princess Athena was the most notable of them, turning over Laughil Jess in 33.60. Collett also had Hellofabullet in a puppy race and Clear Mission in a 714m maiden.

Toddys brings the Thunder at Owlerton

Tom Heilbron’s stayer adds another smart win.

It is now three wins in four 660m runs at Sheffield for Toddys Thunder. From a repeat mating to one that produced Coolavanny Aunty, he has the makings of a solid stayer for Link Kennels. Heilbron was also on target with Glengar Bratt in a 500m open.

Barrie Draper was on target in the other 660m race with Dixies Majestic while Kevin Ferguson saw his Acomb Johnny clock 27.74 over 480m. Youmeanirene continued her good body of work for Gary Hamilton in the sprint, rewarding the journey down from Scotland. She has won on five of her last six visits to the track.

Open Race Winners

19 wins: Different Speed

16 wins: Acomb Felix

15 wins: Druids Say Go

14 wins: Ballymac Taylor – Coonough Crow – Queen Joni – Romeo To Victory

13 wins: Dashing Dude

12 wins: Queen Georgia 

Stats

  • Kerrydale Amos -2.33 Doncaster – 8/13 in top grade here.
  • Reagrove Taylor – 3.44 Sunderland – 5/8 in A4 grade.
  • Easy Arrow – 7.39 Yarmouth – 5/8 when running in A2 grade.
  • Ballymac Alyssa – 8.07 Kinsley – 5/7 in handicaps from scratch.