Hayley Keightley’s Headford Octane went into overdrive in Sunday’s Henlow Maiden Derby semi finals.
Again set to wear the striped jacket in next week’s final, the striking white and black Iso Octane – Tyrur Tulisa Jan ’16 dog will be a warm order to get Hayley and husband Mark’s 2018 off to a good start.
Although led initially by fast away Elegant Approach, Headford Octane’s early pace took him to a first bend lead. Stretching clear down the back straight the 4-9f came home nearly five lengths clear of Richard Baker’s bitch in 27.16, comfortably fastest of the three semis.
courtesy of Greyhoundsnow 2
Lookalike, so called by owner Peter Band due to his striking resemblance to sire Ballymac Eske, made it two from two in the opening semi, clocking a useful 27.33 after a fast start soon had his rivals running for a crucial second place.
Richard Devenish’s August ’15 dog is clearly in a rush to make up for lost time, having made a belated winning start to his racing career in the heats. Bull Run Bolt followed him home, for the well known greyhound sponsor/owner Mark Lowther and trained (of course) by Derek Law.
LOOKALIKE, named due to his likeness to dad Ballymac Eske, shows early pace typical of his sire in the opening semi of Henlow’s Maiden Derby.
Photo © Steve Nash
Bombers Bullet landed the other semi for champion trainer Mark Wallis in a close finish, pictured below, with Carol Weatherall’s Holdem Zidane, WT 27.59
BOMBERS BULLET (t3) gets up on the line to win the second semi of the Henlow Maiden Derby from Holdem Zidane (t1).
Photo: © Steve Nash
Maiden Derby Final Draw:
T1 Holdem Zidane
T2 Bombers Bullet
T3 Lookalike
T4 Bull Run Bolt (M)
T5 Elegant Approach (M)
T6 Headford Octane (W)
