The fact that Fred The Shred (Ninja Jamie-Ardcroney Olivia, Nov 13) confirmed heat supremacy in the final of Nottingham’s 500m Bookmakers Standard should have come as no great surprise. The fact that he returned at 3-1jf probably did.
Paul Sallis’ Monmore A1 runner (T4) was fifth early and at least six adrift of leader Swords Wizard (T1) off the second bend. But showing the same backstraight pace that took him to a 29.74 heat win, the big striding black refused to be denied and claimed the £500 first prize with a head to spare in 29.91.
Jane Meek’s Ballymac Kite (Ballymac Vic-Moyar Kite, May 13) also stamped heat form with a win in the £400 sprint final. The sister of Ballymac Manix was the fastest heat winner in 17.91 and was only two spots slower in the 305m decider worth £400. Alien Sleeper was a length and a quarter second. That time was marginally bettered by Lynn Cook’s puppy Suirside Leah (Shaneboy Lee-Suirside Molly, Apr 14) who clocked 17.69 (all sprints +10) earlier in the meeting and Bigmans Mac (Head Bound-Cornamaddy Daisy, Oct 13) who was timed at 17.86.
The night’s stand-out performance was the 28.61 three length win by Charlie Lister’s striped jacketed Stay Lucky (Ninja Jamie-Smelled A Rat, Nov 13) in the heats of a 480m sweepstake. Rock Me Kewell (T5) was the three length runner-up with the unlucky Glatton Gunner (T3) third.
The kennel had also been fancied to take the other qualifier with Old Joe Golden (4-6f). But the dog boasting 28.35 form over c&d in January decided to take the Nottingham ring-road and left many lengths on the track as Jane White’s 8-1 chance Beckjay Scooby (Ace Hi Rumble-Tyrur Audrey, Sep 12) rallied for a 28.90 (+30) length and three quarter win.
There were four more 500m opens which went to Mustang Major (Devenish 30.09), Reynolds Bramble (Taylor 30.24), Coologue Spark (Fretwell 30.35) and Baran De Stefano (Gardiner 30.38).
