The Carol Weatherall-trained Untold Dollar enjoyed an emphatic victory as the finalists for the 2024 Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby were set at Monmore Green.
Running from trap two in semi-final two on Saturday lunchtime, the August ’22 dog pinged the lids and shot clear to avoid trouble at the first bend, going on to win by seven-and-three-quarter lengths.
Untold Dollar’s 28.27secs winning time was also the quickest of the three semi-finals, with Belinda Green’s Getup Me Champ showing the necessary stamina to take second place.
Semi-final one was won by Tom Heilbron’s Omuircheartaigh, following up a strong triumph in the first-round heats with another commanding display – a couple of lengths ahead of Droopys Eunice (Maxine Locke).
Patrick Janssens’ Barntick Bear, despite being slowest to the first bend, then went through the gears to take the spoils in semi-final three while competition favourite Clona Curly (Diane Henry) also moved a step closer to the £20,000 winners’ prize.
Semi-final one, race seven on the lunchtime card, was delayed by 15 minutes due to traffic affecting the second kennelling at Monmore – the rest of the races on the card also having revised off times.
Lots of eyes were on Omuircheartaigh and the Heilbron flyer did not disappoint, refusing to let some crowding at the first bend knock him off his stride and winning in 28.41.
Darts superstar Gerwyn Price-owned Icemans Girl put in a valiant effort but was just unable to chase down Droopys Eunice.
Untold Dollar stormed through the second semi-final but three dogs were in a photo-finish for second, with Getup Me Champ just beating Bramble Tango (Steven Anderson) and Droopys Supply (Patrick Janssens) to the punch.
Hove-based trainer Green will hope Champ can go all the way next week and retain the Puppy Derby crown for her kennels after Bradys Bullet’s success last year.
Northern Puppy Derby winner Clona Curly had to settle for second place once more but did the job to make it to the final behind Barntick Bear, who burst into action on the back straight and flew around the final two bends to emerge victorious in 28.29.
Untold Dollar has trap two again for the final while Clona Curly will start the furthest wide in trap six.
