Barricane Bullet remains the choice of Monmore Racing Manager Tony Williamson despite being narrowly eclipsed on times in the first round of the Ladbrokes.com Puppy Derby at Monmore.
Heat 1
Kevin Hutton’s Forest Stan (T1) headed the betting in the opening heat but he was never able to get on terms with his blue jacketed kennelmate Forest Bressie (Forest Simon-Forest Rhythm, Jun 14). Bressie was initially pursued by Droopys Elite (T6) but it was left to stayer-in-waiting Droopys Folly to put in a decent late burst and be beaten three quarters of a length in 28.64 (all heats -.50).
Heat 2
Slippys Perry (T4 2-1f)was the only runner in the event without a trial over the course and it possibly cost him the second heat. But nothing should be taken away from winner Along Came Finn (Droopys Scolari-Little Flame, Jun 14) Julie Bateson’s striped 3-1 chance outpaced Calzaghe Balboa to the first bend and was pursued by Slaneyside Pup (T1) more most of the race. But a strong finish from Jimmy Wright’s Slippy Perry and Bang On Giles saw them take second and third (3/4, hd) in 28.69.
Heat 3
Barricane Bullet (Scolari Me Daddy-Business Diva, Apr 14) went to trap six as the 4-5f looking to add to his open race hat-trick. He boxed well pursued by Droopys Trapeze (T3 5-2) who only just failed to get inside at the first bend and paid a hefty price. It was left to Oscar Whisky (T4) and orange jacketed Ballymac Lyster (2 1/2, 1/2) to follow home the 28.52 winner.
Heat 4
British bred Romeo In Milan (T3) went to traps as favourite for the fourth heat but he wasn’t able to get past Droopys Astorish (Droopys Jet-Droopys Start, Apr 14) who made full use of his draw on the rails. Paul Young’s 9-4 chance, who had won just one of his previous 11 races, never looked like giving up his lead and crossed the line in a fastest-of-night, 28.37.
Heat 5
Earlier in the year, Elaine Parker told Star readers that she rated Candlelight Fire (Ballymac Vic-Droopys Peaches, Apr 14) as even quicker than half brother Candelight King and she looks well vindicated on the basis of the fifth heat. The British bred disputed the early lead with Droopys Costa (T1) but going along the backstraight it was Holycross Angel (T3) and Ajlo Legalbeagle (T6) who looked to be unleashing their runs. The former was closed off but Paul Young’s ‘Beagle’ set off in pursuit of the leader who was long gone for a three and a bit length win in a joint second fastest, 28.52.
Heat 6
In a first round of the comparatively few shocks, Steve Anderson’s Bramble Magpie (Paradise Madison-Heroes Last Lass, May 14) became the third winning favourite with a 28.62, length and length and a quarter victory over Cork Falcon (T4) and Oscar Junior (T1)
Racing manager Tony Williamson said: “I thought it was an excellent first round and most of the pups improved on their trials. For me, Barricane Bullet is the one they all have to beat. Droopys Atorish’s fastest time of the night speaks for itself, and I was very impressed with Candlelight Fire who did the fastest sectional.
“The semi final draw has also worked out very well with a good mixture of the different seeded dogs throughout.”
