On a night that proved challenging for Sheffield gamblers – with three winning favourites, though two at very short odds – only Pat Rosney, representing trainers, came out on top in the Punters Challenge.
Pat opted for a £25 ‘Trixie’ – three doubles and a treble – and saw Swift Hansel (7-2) and Droopys Live (1-2f) prevail with Candlelight Fire finishing second. That would have given him a profit of £93.75 on the night.
The highlight of the supporting card was another track record for Razldazl Raidio (Razldazl Rioga-Razldazl Marilyn, Apr 14) who took 27 spots off Bomber Bailey’s previous best for the 500m hurdle course with a run of 28.96. He ran from trap six and started at 1-5f.
The second race saw the night’s first turn-up as locally trained 8-1 shot Dropzone (Sh Avatar-Bonus, Jul 15) took on favourite Bruisers Bullet (T1 8-11f) and Dorotas Vic (T6 4-1). Elaine Parker’s black jacketed winner crossed the line in 28.57 (N) for the 500 metres.
The third race was the stayers event where Pat Rosney correctly assessed that Swift Hansel‘s (Godsend-Swift Approach, Aug 14) trap three draw would enable him to reverse ‘Three Steps’ form with Geelo Sapphire (T1 5-4f). But it would be Mexican Peso (T5 5-1) who would follow home the 39.00 winner for the 660m course.
The second leg of an Elaine Parker puppy double came in the fourth event courtesy of Early Mist (Droopys Jet-Diva Express, May 15) who went to trap three at 5-1. Favourite (4-6f) was Droopys Hooligan (T1) with Swift Melampe (T2 3-1) destined to finish back in third behind the 28.99 winner.
The Rosney treble was foiled in the fifth race with hopes depending on Candlelight Fire (T3 7-4f) but the honours went to Steel City Cup runner-up Tynwald Baz (Droopys Jet-Bish Bash Bosh, Aug 14) who went to traps at 11-4 and covered the 500m in 28.53 for Lawrence Tuffin. Ballymac Ramsay (T1 3-1) was third.
The sixth race was the ‘720’ with punters only interested in two of the runners, Slick Sebastian (Tullymurry Act-Swift Sapphire, May 14) in stripes (11-8f) and Ribble Atom (T1 5-2). They were right about the favourite but Atom finish nowhere with Vera Vang (T4 5-1) and Bramble Diamond (T5 5-1) following home the 43.06 winner.
The night’s other good thing Droopys Live (Tullymurry Act-Live Queen, May 15) went to trap two at 1-2f and completed a puppy treble for Elaine Parker. The 28.62 (500) winner was followed home by Swift Burn (T3 16-1) and Airforce Duchess (T6 8-1).
