Churchfield Syd put in a performance full of grit, determination, and class to clinch the Ladbrokes Winter Derby crown at Monmore Green.
A star-studded £10,000 showpiece had set pulses racing beforehand and the action on Saturday afternoon did not disappoint, with Richard Rees’ Syd beating King Capaldi to the punch in an epic back-and-forth battle.
Syd – who came second to Links Maverick in the Gold Cup final at Monmore last August and was also very unlucky to pull up with an injury in last year’s Puppy Derby semi-finals while well ahead – came flying out of the traps to lead at the first bend ahead.
Elizabeth McNair’s Capaldi, however, regained the advantage on the back straight and led to the run-in, before Syd found a second wind to power home in a time of 28.15secs.
It is a second Category One competition victory for Syd after claiming the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby title at Central Park last October.
Bookmakers’ favourite Links Maverick (Tom Heilbron), who got crowded out going into the first bend, could only finish fourth behind kennelmate Bogger Rambo.
McNair’s King Sydney was fifth and home trainer Richie Taberner’s Aero Sacundai was sixth.
The other finals on the day – three Category Three events – all saw outsiders land the spoils, with the biggest shock in the Ladbrokes Winter Dash.
Carefree Chief, trained by Ian Reynolds, put in a sublime showing to win the two-bend affair ahead of Kim Billingham veteran Across The Field having been priced at 28/1.
The Winter Maiden final saw Maxine Locke’s Stonepark Champ (6/1) grab an emphatic four-length triumph having led all the way.
Hurry Up Jordan (John Lambe) then showed the stamina required to run out victorious after Aayamza Sydney (John Mullins) slowed in the Ladbrokes Dual Distance Stayers over the 684m trip.
One of the most impressive displays of the day, meanwhile, came in one of several one-off Opens as Gary The Arb (Belinda Green) won a puppy race over 480m in 28.18secs.
