In recent years, Monmore’s Ladbrokes Puppy Derby has emerged as THE most prestigious juvenile event, certainly in Britain, and arguably on either side of the Irish Sea writes Floyd Amphlett.
With this year’s event due to close on Monday, a fair representation of the next generation of champions completed their pre-competition preparations on Thursday night.
Quickest of the lot was the Dean Childs trained orange jacketed Droopys Bonucci (Droopys Cain-Droopys Loner, Aug 15). Up against the formidable ‘Dorota’ brothers Del Mar (T1 5-4F) and Hooligan (T2 3-1), the youngest in the field reeled in early leader Ballymac Dema (T3 6-1) by three lengths in 28.27 (-30).
There was better luck for one of the events likely favourites Dorotas Woo Hoo (Ballymac Vic-Droopys Danneel, May 15). Charlie Lister’s dark brindle, whose previous outing was the fastest 480 at Sheffield in 2016, took on the brilliant Droopys Live and could hardly have been more impressive with a 4.27 sectional and five length win over Elaine Parker’s bitch and her kennelmate Oreo. The winner’s time was 28.30 (-30).
Steve Race’s Drive On Charlie (Ballymac Vic-Bulgaden Gypsy, May 15) was next best on the clock: 28.39 (-20). Other trialstake winners: Droopys Susan 28.94 (-30) and Holdem Jenga 28.41 (-30).
In trials before racing, Kevin Hutton’s Dotoas Wildcat clocked a stunning 28.42 – all trials were rated as -50 going). Pat Rosney’s Cuba Libra short headed kennelmate Azzurri Genesis in 28.56, Julie Bateson’s Farloe Thor recorded 28.59, The Other Reg 28.68, Rio Coco 28.74, Droopys Argento 28.66, Fweshfromthesesh 28.82.
PUPPY DERBY CLOSES 11AM MONDAY FEBRUARY 27
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