The RPGTV English Puppy Derby semi-finals take centre stage at Towcester on another wonderful afternoon’s greyhound racing at the sport’s premier venue.
The afternoon gets underway at 157pm with a Premarket Pets Blue Riband Trial Stakes. Anonymous was backed as if defeat was out of the question in his heat of the English Puppy Derby but a stumble as soon as the traps opened put pay to his chance with immediate effect. Brendan Matthews brings his talented pup back though and granted anything like a normal getaway this time around he can show what all the fuss is about with a dominant trap to line victory.
Semi Final 1 of the RPGTV English Puppy Derby at 212pm can go to the John Mullins trained Callmesteve. Though well enough beaten in his heat last week that was behind Havana Bale Out who is fast establishing herself as one of the real superstars of our sport and a bitch likely to go on to becoming one of the best of all time. ‘Steve’ himself is far from anybody’s fool and has some real high class runs on his card. A fair enough break here should see him turning very close to the action and he can really open up along the back straight and have this race sewn up by the time he hits the third bend.
Another Premarket Pets Blue Riband Trial Stakes at 232pm. John Mullins Signet Goofy was eliminated from the English Puppy Derby at the second-round stage but he’s a real nice type with plenty of improvement to come yet. He’s a lovely draw up the middle of the track with which to utilise his excellent early pace and he’s taken to lead all the way.
Semi Final 2 of the RPGTV English Puppy Derby at 252pm and it’s difficult to oppose Liz and Rab McNair’s Havana Bale Out. This is a bitch of the very highest calibre and she gave an exhibition of a display when dismantling her second-round opposition last week. Crossing the finish line some 7 lengths clear of her nearest rival in 2917. Absolutely flawless last week it will be difficult to find such a devastating start however a sensible enough break can see her take command by the first and if she does hit the front she’ll not be for picking up.
Yet more Pets Blue Riband Trial Stakes action at 311pm and a race where the early pace of Sally Johnson’s Perfecto Storm can prove decisive. ‘Storm’ has some decent enough if not spectacular form on the card in his early races around Tralee but since arriving in the UK he’s been guided nicely from A4 through to dual open class winner in a short space of time. A greyhound very much heading the right way and can land this before moving onto bigger and better things in the weeks and months ahead.
TRC Events & Leisure Maiden action at 328pm and a competitive race where a few can lay claims. I’m siding with Seamus Cahill’s Sporting Chile though who lines up here having been eliminated from the English Puppy Derby at the first-round stage. He was sent off a 33/1 chance for that heat which was not only his first run here in the UK but also his career debut. The only mark on his card in Ireland came when recording 2846 around Tralee in a 2-dog trial. That effort and the fact that the shrewd Cahill entered him immediately for the Puppy Derby are clear indications that ‘Chile’ is an above average type. He should progress far beyond maiden class and he can make that first step by winning here today.
TRC Events & Leisure Sprint company at 348pm and possibly the hardest race to call of the day. Take a chance with Richard Rees Burnchurch Mick who isn’t always the best away from traps but did post a decent enough 1607 trial on his recent trial over course and distance. He has a fair make up here running from the blue jacket and a level break should give him every chance.
Last but by no means least another TRC Events & Leisure Maiden at 408pm. Vicki Lea has Midfield Duke running out of his skin and he can use his huge early pace to soon take command here. He led for a long way in a similar maiden last week before being just touched off late. He should strip that little bit fitter today and if getting to the front early he’ll not easily be reeled in.
