Kippers Usain was a shock 8-1 winner of the Calne Racing Arc over 480 metres at Swindon on Tuesday.
Chris Allsopp’s runner was such a big price because of his draw in five in this all-railer field but he made light of his pitch with a flying start and he turned the first bend just in front of Evanta Evita.
Mark Wallis’s bitch tried to close along the back straight but the leader wasn’t for passing and came home a length and a half in front of her in 28.60sec..
Headman Steve Masters said afterwards: “This is a massive boost for the kennel which has been going through a sticky patch lately.
“The dog had a few niggles but we have finally got to the bottom of them and he ran a blinder.
“It was all about the break and we knew if he repeated that 2.32sec split which he did in the heats he had to have a chance which was half the battle.
“He will now go for the Derby at Wimbledon.”
Owner Roly Woodcock said: “I’m shell shocked. The dog needed to break and he did it in style. It’s great to win the top race at my local track.”
Domino Storm got favourite backers at the meeting off to a good start when landing the Clive Bell Standard Bitches Stakes over 480 metres.
Mark Wallis’s bitch, a sister of Scottish Derby winner Swift Hoffman, was led to the first turn by Boozed Miranda but she went on at the second corner to eventually beat the staying on Forest Sara by almost four lengths in 28.34sec, the fastest time of the year.
Wallis said afterwards: “She is a great bitch that keeps winning and will be part of my team for the Derby.”
Dragon Big Bux (6-1) caused a shock in the Pete Houghton Arc Night Sprint over 285 metres.
Target Harris, the hot favourite, went two lengths clear at halfway but was caught close home by Kevin Hutton’s runner who scored by a head in 16.21sec.
Hutton said afterwards: “It was great to him back in winning form. He knows the track well having run here in graded races early in his career.”
Sidarian Blitz (9-2 from 10-1 this morning) landed an off-course gamble in the Derek Burridge Golf & Racing Trophy Stakes over 509 metres.
Heather Dimmock’s runner led approaching the first turn and went on to beat Fivestar Clipper by two lengths in 30.12sec.
Headman Mick Pacey said: “He was a big price at 10-1 this morning and he wasn’t unfancied. We ran him in the Scottish Derby but he was unlucky. We may take him to Newcastle next week for the Pinpoint Festival.”
Kennelmate Wotnofizz gave Dimmock a double in the Dave Clarke Arc Night 509er.
The son of Slip The Lark flew out of the boxes and made all to hold Vanfrankie by just over a length in 30.11sec.
A kennel spokesman said: “After Sidarian Blitz won it gave us confidence to back him as there is little between them. It’s a shame we didn’t do the double.”
Touch Tackle (8-11) rode a few bumps before landing the Abbey Taxis Swindon £1 per metre Stakes over 737 metres.
Jim Daly’s runner was crowded at the third turn by early leader Kakantu before reeling in that rival and eventually beating Swansalona Diva by four and a half lengths in 45.03sec.
Daly said afterwards: “He’s a dog that likes these extended trips as he can get himself in a decent position early on in races and when he was so close here he was always going to win.
“We’ll take him to the Regency at Hove next week.”
Honest John impressed in the Carlsberg Deliver more Stakes over 480 metres.
Richard Yeates’ Monmore Puppy Derby runner-up was soon clear and went on to beat Swift Leonard by just over three lengths in 28.58sec.
A kennel spokesman said: “He’s always been capable and when he led like that wasn’t going to be caught as he’s very strong.”
Billys Bullet landed his fifth race in succession when successful in the Abbey Taxis £1 per Metre 685.
Mark Wallis’s runner was led to the penultimate turn by Grand Prix winner Farley Rio but went past to score by almost four lengths in 41.48sec.
A kennel spokesman said afterwards: “Billy rode a few bumps before changing gear. He’ll now go for the Regency at Hove.”
