Romeo Magico was installed as the 15/8 favourite for the Star Sports & TRC English Greyhound Derby Final on Saturday after coasting to a three-and-one-quarter length semi final win at Towcester Racecourse.
Graham Holland’s dog stopped the clocked at 29.06 to become the first qualifier for this weekend’s £175,000 final. Chasing Romeo Magico home was crowd favourite Mickys Barrett.
Trained by Nottingham-based Jason Gray, Mickys Barrett was cheered on by his army of owners who packed the terraces after purchasing the two-year-old in memory of the late Mick Barrett, who passed away last year.
Towcester Racecourse Managing Director Kevin Boothby had reason to cheer following semi final one as well. That’s because Savana Beau – priced 100/1 at the beginning of the competition – pulled off a trademark late run to snatch the third and final qualifying position from previously unbeaten Signet Goofy, who finished fourth.
The road also ended for Faughan Rebel and Deelish Frankie – who bravely finished fifth and sixth respectively after two outstanding Derby campaigns.
The second semi final was hotly contested too – with Irish raider Kildare leading the market at 15/8. Peter Cronin’s Irish raider turns two next month, but his inexperience counted for little as Kildare broke well and beat second-placed Priceless Jet by half-a-length.
Hello Hammond finished well to complete the English Greyhound Derby Final line-up, while Lautaro had to settle for fourth and saw his sparkling campaign reach its conclusion. Make Noise was fifth and Kevin Hutton’s Coppice Fox came sixth.
