Detractors of British breeding were given a slap in the face in the semi finals of the Nottingham British Breeders Stakes on Monday.
The three qualifiers produced a final that is both competitive and classy, and made more intriguing by there being no railers in next Tuesday’s £8,000 decider.
The opening heat went to Elaine Parker’s Candlelight Fire (Ballymac Vic-Droopys Peaches, Apr 14) with a front running display from trap five. But he would not have it all his own way with the other 5-4jf King Kid (T6) running him down to three quarters of a length in 29.73 (all +40) for the 500m.
The second qualifier appeared at the mercy of Kid’s litter brother King Eden (T6 4-6f). However the Doncaster and Central Park track record breaker would find himself behind and repeatedly trying to pass a trio of strong running hounds. The winner was Jim Hayton’s orange jacketed 7-1 chance Lowgate Malfoy (Windy Millar-Hawks Dutchess, Aug 14) who got up in a photo finish from Far Bank Frank (T4 5-1) with Castell Henry (T1 9-4) also missing out on a place in the final.
The third qualifier was more straightforward with black jacketed 3-1 shot Romeo Desperado (Head Bound-Fabulous Pin, Jan 15) leading all the way from Queen Dawn (T6 9-4jf). The winning time replicated the first qualifier and the distance was a little over four lengths. The other 9-4jf Let Me Tell You ran from T1.
