Kent St.Leger winner Droopys Tamera (4-6f) set the standard in the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket first round at Crayford.
Dean Childs’ bitch trapped in front from the outside box and clocked a 23.13 sectional on her way to a three length victory over Boherna Pedro. It was her fifth win in six outings over course and distance and the fastest of the lot, 44.93 (+40).
Ante post favourite Patchys Kerry (1-3f) produced another flawless performance in heat five. Once again dominant from the boxes she led on the run-up and was pursued for most of the race by Farneys Cookie (T4) who was eventually run out of second place by Rearguard Bond (T2). Kerry’s time was a disappointing 45.42 on going rated ‘normal’. As a comparison to her previous outing, her sectional of 23.06 was five spots slower (though still the fastest of the night), and her winning time was back five lengths (40 spots).
Kevin Boon’s Oneco Sky (8-1) recorded the second fastest time of the night, though like Droopys Tamera, it was on the best of the going.
Fast into his stride, the white and black wearing the orange jacket just cleared Droopys Alberta (T1) at the first bend and was never headed. Lemon Lyric ran on for second. The winning margin was six lengths and the time was 45.13 (+40).
5-2 chance Diesel Flo (T3) produced a very decent run in heat six. After a decent break she drove fearlessly into the bend and was never headed. She took the first 380 meres in 23.36 pursued by Aaamzamodel and stayed on to go to within two spots of Patchys Kerry’s time on similar going – 45.44 (N). Clonmoyle Shane ran on for second, beaten four and a quarter.
Soviet Kenny (T6) attempted to make all in the night’s most exciting finish. The John Mullins trained 5-1 chance led up from Ferenheit Katie and defending champ Wiki Waki Woo who unfortunately broke down at the second bend.
Kenny passed the 480 metre mark in 23.15 followed by Roxholme Hottie (5-4f). As they headed up the backstraight for a second time Kenny still looked comfortable but approaching the home straight What Fun Gracie (T1) and last year’s beaten favourite Racenight Jenny (T2) began their charges. They passed the leader in the final strides with Jenny (8-1) getting the verdict by a head from Gracie with Kenny half a length back in third. The winner clocked 45.48.
2-1 fav Black Francis (T2), who finished a place behind Racenight Jenny in last year’s decider, was involved in the night’s messiest heat.
Dashing Star (T4) was the first to show from Janoan (T6) with the latter wiped out at the first bend. Ribble Atom (T3) lost her chance when she was turned sideways at the second bend. Mays Petal (T1) and the favourite missed the worst of the trouble and Mark Wallis’ Francis soon took command. He eventually won by nearly nine lengths in 46.03 (N).
Droopys Tamera, Patchys Kerry and Diesel Flo clash in a hugely competitive second semi final next Saturday.
