Trainer Charlie Lister OBE has been given a pleasant selection headache by Newinn Shadow following the East Anglian Derby winner’s brilliant return to racing at Nottingham on Monday night.
Contesting his first race since November, the 1-2f clocked 28.11 (+60) for the 480 metre course. It is the second fastest time every recorded over the course and distance and just half a length outside Swift Hoffman’s track record.
Charlie said: “It was a great run. The track was fast but they always are when dogs do those sort of times. I will speak to the owners about whether to go to Scotland. There isn’t a lot of time between the Scottish Derby and the English*.
“The Gold Cup at Towcester would be another option. We brought him back too late for last year’s Derby. Although he trialled well, he was in a very tough heat in the first round and was knocked out.”
There are just over six weeks to the start of the Shawfield event, and defending champion Dorotas Woo Hoo is progressing nicely. The big brindle has not raced since last August but has had two 500m trials at Sheffield in the last fortnight.
Charlie added: “He trialled well (28.46c & 28.53c) and I am happy with him. He will definitely go to Scotland, though I don’t know about Towcester with him. I don’t think he is suited by the traps, he is a very big dog and he barely fits in them.
“At this stage I think we will probably have four or five for Towcester including Woo Hoo’s brother Dorotas Vic who was very backward but has really grown up and be a much better dog this year.
“PJ (Fahy) has also promised to send me Tyrur Harold, plus I would hope Kalamoun could make into a Derby dog; he showed a lot of promise last year.”
*The final of the RPGTV Scottish Derby is due to take place on Saturday April 14, the first round of the Star Sports English Derby is scheduled for the first week in May.
