There were odds on shots in three of the four Carlsberg Kent St. Leger heats – and it was the shortest of the quartet, Bubbly Time who exited the competition on Saturday night.
Things started well for punters when Dean Childs’ TV Trophy finalist Droopys Tamera (4-6f) demonstrated the gulf in class between her and the opposition with a near six length victory in what would prove the fastest time of the night for the Crayford 714 metres, 45.35.
Crowd pleaser and defending champion Borna Champ (1-2f) was expected to hammer the layers for a second time but in a messy race, he failed by a short to reel in Bob Boosey’s 20-1 shot Lulys Jackyblue whose 46.36 winning time reflected a race marred by crowding.
Golden Jacket winner Wiki Waki Woo (4-7f) was taking on the fastest dog at the track this year, Droopys Bear in the third qualifier. It proved to be a tight buckle with Bear leading before Angie Kibble’s black led around the last two bends and then pulled away to win in 45.76.
The final heat, which featured the Golden Jacket and TV Trophy runner-up Bubbly Time – they were betting 10-1 bar one – was dominated for the first lap and a half by Hall Green A3 runner Captain Svendog. He was pursued by local runners Bru Brae and Droopys Doonbeg with Bubbly Time trying to find space. By the last bend though, it was Doonbeg who was showing the greater stamina and Barry O’Sullivan’s S4 runner pulled away to win by three lengths in a slow 46.26. The next three home finished within a neck of each other (Tricast £222) with Tony Gifkins’ favourite failing to make it to the semi finals.
