Yarmouth Derby winner Do It For Twiggy completed a Category One double when landing the John Smith Kent Derby over 480 metres at Sittingbourne on Tuesday writes Jason Craddock.
Erica Samuels’ runner flew out of the boxes and led up from Swabys Millward. Bubbly Gold was handy from halfway and closed on Do It For Twiggy all the way to the line but he held on by a short head in 28.84sec.
Craig Samuels said: “The dog is running out of his skin at present and when he led he was always going to take some catching.
“He will have a short rest and then go to Nottingham for the Eclipse.”
Mo’s Bullet had earlier come to the rescue of the bookies in the Chelsea Glass Grand National after the first seven favourites and one joint favourite had obiged.
The pace was set by Julius George and Soviet Jackson, who disputed the lead for much of the way but Mos Bullet got up on the line to score by a head in 29.80sec.
Winning trainer Ricky Holloway said afterwards: “He’d never had a hurdle race before this competition and it is amazing to see the way he won.”
“The Grand National is my Derby.”
Designer Cee overcame a slow start and plenty of trouble to land the Jack Elias Invitational Stakes over 480 metres.
The 4-6 favourite was only third on the last turn but flew up the home straight to get up and deny Guba by three quarters of a length in 29.24sec.
Spencer Mavrias said afterwards: “We bought him unraced and started him off in a few easy graded races.
“He was impressive at Hove in the BAGS Track Championship and was again tonight.
“We were going to keep him for Sittingbourne for the Track Championship but things may change now.”
Laughil Rocket was a trap to line winner of the Chip Leaders Cash Game Sprint over 265 metres.
Darren Whitton’s runner flew out and made all to hold dead-heating pair Lenson Jed and Pass To Go by almost two lengths in 16.34sec.
Whitton said: “He’s good early pace but doesn’t stay a proper four bend trip. 400 metres is his ideal trip but he can pick up these sprints when he traps like that.”
Eclipse winner Fit To Win made just about all to land the Redec Seniors over 480 metres.
Tony Collett’s runner pulled clear from the opening turn to hold the late surge of Universal Dream by just over two lengths in 29.12sec.
Collett said afterwards: “He had a few months off at the start of the year and never really regained his form until recently. Now he’s running out of his skin. Now he’s won a second open he’s ruled out of helping Sittingbourne in the BAGS Track Championship.”
Fizzypop Magic outstayed her rivals to land the Redec Stayers Stakes over 642 metres.
June Harvey’s runner trapped out well and stayed close to the action and picked up Droopys Jarrow close home to score by almost three lengths in 40.22sec.
Tony Harvey said afterwards: “She’s a marathon bitch really and when she was so close she was always going to win. We’re thinking of putting her in the St Leger in the next few weeks.”
Lenson Tiggy was another winning favourite when landing the Birlem Oil Stakes over 480 metres.
Tony Collett’s runner led off the opening turn and went on to hold Outdoor Rumble by a length and a half in 28.85sec.
Owner Lenny Ponder said afterwards: “The dog didn’t have the luck in the semi-finals of the Kent Derby but it was great to see him back in form here.”
Fizzypop Buddy was an easy winner of the Hillside Kennels Super stayers Stakes over 708 metres.
June Harvey’s runner was soon clear and went on to beat marathon runner Market Heights by almost five lengths in 44.25sec.
Tony Harvey said: “There’s not much between Buddy and Magic, who won earlier and both will go for the St Leger.”
