While most of the debate about disqualified dogs being allowed into the Derby has been based around King Turbo, 2019 will offer a surprise opportunity for another wronged King.
Lightfoot King was ‘DQd’ on the same track where, on Saturday, he attempts to land his first Cat One final some 32 unblemished races later in a superb RPGTV Steel City Cup.
The 33 kilo black was 19 months old and contesting his first ever race when he lost sight of the hare and paid undue care and attention to another runner at the back of the field. At the time he was trained by Elaine Parker, but will go to traps on Saturday handled by son Sean.
Sean said: “I guess there are mixed views about whether your should disqualify a puppy in those conditions or simply mark him ‘awkward’ and send him back for schooling. But I also appreciate that there is a need to protect the public.
“What was wrong was the rule about the Derby. We are living in 2019, not 1960, and last year was realistically his best chance in the Derby.”
King certainly loved Towcester where he had started second favourite in the 2017 Puppy Derby Final won by Magical Bale.
Sean said: “In hindsight, we seeded him badly. He was drawn in red and wanted the middle. He ended up making the race for the winner.”
King went on to reach the Scottish Derby Final where he finished fourth to The Other Reg. He then switched to six bends and started at 6-4f in the William Hill Grand Prix won by Bombers Bullet.
King goes into Saturday’s final with two qualifying wins and is being quoted at 4-1 joint second favourite, with Roxholme Nidge, and behind Droopys Verve. Can he win it?
Sean said: “Over four bends he is probably in the form of his life, but it is an absolutely fantastic final. As good a Steel City Cup Final as I can remember in recent years.
“I think we are ideally drawn in four and if he can only come away in another 4.25-4.30 split, I think he must have a great chance.
“I would expect Roxholme Nidge to lead but think Angela’s two are drawn the wrong way round. Verve seems to be going on straight at the bend with Expert a clear railer. They also haven’t been trapping as well as they can and they could come together before the bend. But Trade Fudge in six is a very lively outsider and has to be respected.
With the two Roxholme runners, half the field are attached to neighbouring Doncaster, which Sean joined when he mum Elaine handed in her license to look after husband Mick who is battling cancer.
“Dad is in good form” said Sean. “We are not out of the woods, it has been tough with ‘chemo’ and radiotherapy at the same time, but he has kept his head down and got on with it, and he has put back a stone in weight since the first treatment.
“Mum is helping out with the graders at Doncaster which has freed me up a lot with the open racers. We have between 40 and 60 graded dogs plus realistically half a dozen genuine open racers.
“I enjoy Doncaster. It is a nice, well run family track and makes good commercial sense or the kennel. The only downside is that the top grades aren’t as strong and I end up running a few in opens at Sheffield to give them a run.”
