East Anglian Derby Final

Druids is go go gone to land the Click Competitions East Anglian Derby Final.

It was an incredible evening last night at Yarmouth. A huge crowd were on hand to witness an excellent 12-race card and crown the new champion. Patrick Janssens’ bitch did everything right for the Value Racing Club who had members on hand to roar her home and most importantly, pick up the trophy!

She will reportedly now head to the Oaks at Perry Barr. Add in Avongate Venus and perhaps the likes of Queen Joni and the final there on October 26 could be one of the top races of the entire year. Of course, Joni would perhaps also have the option of the Kent Derby on her hit list around the same time at Central Park.

Druids Say Go has now shown herself to be anything but just a Romford 400m performer, picking up her 18th open race win of the year in the process. Her 27.26 is the fastest time of the year over Yarmouth’s 462m.

Mullins throws the right arrows

Littlers Nuke (t1) wins the Derby Purse.

The Derby Purse was won by Littlers Nuke for John Mullins. Mullins would enjoy an excellent night, picking up three winners on the card at his favourite track. Nuke is names after Luke Littler, the young darts phenom who shot to fame last year. One of the best races of the night, Nuke would just edge out You Two for the top spot over 659m.

Mullins would also win with Wrighty over 462m and Merlins Mate over 277m for a hat-trick of winners over different distances. The former has been a real star this year and once he trapped in front of Gary The Arb, he was always going to be difficult to pick up.

It was a great night for the local runners with a pair of winners for Craig Morris. Droopys Halley won the puppy contest with four of them split by three short heads as they flashed across the line in what was arguably the most exciting contest of the evening.

Morris also scored with Cartwrights Lad who produced a flying 5.19 split (the same as Druids Say Go) to win by the widest margin of the night, five and a quarter lengths.

Other winners on the night were Laugh A lot (Jane Craske), Ballymac Zoomey (Mark Newberry), Millbank Boiler (Gemma Evans), Slick Serenity (Jason Bloomfield), Gurtnacrehy Paul (Cornelius Condon) and Pin It All for Lauren Sawyer.

Produce Stakes

***8.11 Swindon – Ballymac Madgie
**9.20 Swindon – Ballymac Local
*8.44 Swindon – Union Rebel

After last nights truly wonderful evening at Yarmouth we head to Swindon for another Category One decider. The 78th Two Year Old British Bred Produce Stakes Final is at 8.44.

It’s a wide open contest where Union Rebel is just holding onto favouritism ahead of Romeo Crusade.

I am going to be with Union Rebel in trap five who has a favourable draw to work from. Southfield Poppy on his inside will be edging in from trap four. That can cause enough problems early for Romeo Crusade, Romeo Cypher and Keefill Goose who all need to dictate matters in this field. That can pave the way for Union Rebel to come away and use the good draw to be in front heading into the first bend and coming out the second with a healthy lead.

Keefill Goose looks well housed on the inside and to me looks the main danger to Union Rebel if able to get a run early with early pace runners looking for his ground.

Southfield Petal in trap six is a big price and looks to have plenty to do so with the draw I am going to be with Union Rebel.

There are plenty of other open races on the card. Trap one Ballymac Madgie is the nap of the evening in the Blunsdon Standard Division Two at 8.11. She is looking to get back to winning ways dropping back in trip. Ballymac Loca can continue her fine form by landing a four timer in the Blunsdon Stayers at 9.20.

Perry Barr Quotes and Prices

Saturday is a huge Category One double header at Perry Barr. The finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger and the M Lambe Memorial Birmingham Cup are run.

PGR St Leger

John Lambe will be looking for a special winner on the night with Hurry Up Jordan. With the Birmingham Cup run in the memory of his dad, there would not be a sweeter local winner.

“It was a rush to have him ready for the competition, so it won’t surprise anyone that we’re thrilled to be in the final,” said John. “We’re the only wide runner in the race, so getting the outside box in the draw was a given.

“Being on the outside suits us, but there’s no doubt the greyhound to beat is Droopys Clue. All greyhounds in the final are very worthy to be there, but he’s the standout.

“Beyond the St Leger we’re looking forward to the evening and the Birmingham Cup held in memory of my dad. A lot of friends and family will be in the boxes upstairs which will make for a great occasion.”

1/3 Droopys Clue 7/1 Coonough Crow 8/1 Clona Curly 12/1 Hurry Up Jordan, Tuono Bella 14/1 Trickycinderella

M Lambe Memorial Birmingham Cup

George Sell is the head of the Horse & Hound Six Syndicate who own Long Fellow. Named for the jockey Lester Piggott, he won the Cowley Puppy Collar at Oxford earlier in the year and then chased home Aero Sacundai at the same track in the Pall Mall.

“When we bought him as a puppy the dream was to own an open class greyhound,” said George. “So, to reach our third Category One final is very pleasing and we’re chuffed with how he’s progressed through the competition.

“He’s getting stronger the older he gets and just about makes the 480m trip – we wouldn’t want to run him over a longer distance.
“Trap three is a great draw for him too – the box we didn’t want was trap one as he’s been struggling to break quickly from there recently. He pinged the start from trap three during the semifinals and ran well to qualify.
“It’s an intriguing final, there are three proven early-pace greyhounds in the race with three strong runners that are likely to be challenging late on.
“It’s easy to say a Category One final is competitive, but this one genuinely is with only six spots separating the four fastest qualifiers. A lot of us will be trackside on the night with friends and family and we look forward to the evening.”
11/4 Aayamza Sydney 3/1 Unanimous Leon 7/2 Darley Diglake 4/1 Long Fellow 5/1 Rioja Bungle 6/1 Tricky Wiggles

Stats

  • Droopys Niece – 6.53 Newcastle – 5/8 when drawn in three.
  • Zarina – 7.24 Valley – 5/9 from trap six.
  • Newinn Benni – 7.49 Hove – 6/10 from the striped jacket.
  • Ballymac Rocky – 7.53 Swindon – 8/15 in open races at Swindon from the one box.
  • Robbie Be Slick – 9.30 Enniscorthy – A perfect 5/5 in the grade and also 4/4 from trap four.

Opens

Friday: Romford
Saturday: Central Park♦ Doncaster♦ Perry Barr