The BGBF British Bred Derby got underway at Sheffield on Tuesday evening and fans of both the British bred scene and indeed open racing were treated to some superb performances. Patricia Cowdrill’s defending champion Elderberry Sky began his defence of the competition in the very first heat. On this occasion he had to play second best to Kim Gooding’s Shockwave Onyx who led at the turn to run out a comfortable 4 length winner over ‘Elderberry’ in 2957. Jaguar Blake qualified in third for Paul Gregson.
Kevin Hutton’s Boca Junior finished third in the final of this event last year and duly got this campaign off to a winning start by taking heat 2 in 2942. ‘Junior’ is a talented greyhound at this level and it’s surprising he’s not got a major British bred title on his cv. There is time yet however and it would be no surprise to see this consistent sort progress deep into the competition. Sean Parker’s Barnside Millie qualified in third.
Keefill Arthur doesn’t always get it right at the boxes but when he does he’s a talented sort. He took heat 3 for Nathan Hunt by the minimum of fuss in 2947 with Liz McNair’s King Louis 7 1/4 lengths back in second. ‘Louis’ did stumble at the start and is better than the bare form of this result it has to be noted. Inca Boss qualified in third for Phil Barlow.
Signet Otis might not carry the reputation or indeed the expectation of his elder sibling and Monday’s Eclipse Final champion Signet Ace but this was a stunning fastest of the night performance from a youngster firmly heading in the right direction. Not 2yo until January this son of Forest Natalee got the better of Barrie Draper’s Keefill Finn by a couple of lengths in a stunning on the night run of 2911. ‘Otis’ in this kind of form is a leading player both for this competition and indeed for any competition which his shrewd handler places him in during the coming year. Acomb Winston qualified in third for Kevin Ferguson.
Fastest round one heat winner Signet Otis with travelling head lad Marc Studer (Pic @OwlertonRacing)
Forest Natalee was once again providing the winner of heat 5 this time in the shape of one of her May 2019 whelp’s Bernard trained by Jimmy Gaskin. A talented greyhound when he gets his break right and he ran out an easy 2 1/2 length winner over Barrie Drapers Locked Down in 2937. Sharpys Pluto qualified in third for local handler John Sharp.
Patrick Janssens Fabulous Azurra was sent off a warm order 4/7 favourite for the sixth and final heat of the night. Also favourite for the competition in the ante post books ‘Azurra’ was made to work hard for a neck victory over popular local handler John Sharp’s Sharpys Jimmy. Shockwave Amber qualified in third for Henlow’s Kim Gooding.
