Calzaghe Joe puts his rivals lights out in the Graphite puppy final

Walthamstow Report 16 June 2007

Saturday's card featured the Graphite (UK) Puppy Derby final and some decent opens.

Legal Major has been is superb recent form and ran an absolute blinder again. From what looked like an unfavourable draw, he landed the 435m opener. Riverside Lark broke superbly, with Legal Major close on his heels. Legal Major unleashed an awesome burst of speed and flew round to record a fast 25.92. Pork Pie missed the break, but ran on well for second, as Riverside Lark faded from half way.

Farloe Lugs led up in the 640m hurdles opener. Westmead Vieri took over at the third, until fading from the 5th bend.  Xamax Mr Grumpy came to challenge between the last two bends and refused. Farloe Lugs took up the kind invitation to lead again the the 5th and went on to score.

Kinda Sure showed good early pace and made the early running in the puppy standard. He looked to have a winning lead, but his stride shortened from the 3/4 and Beardys Lex Anne took over on the run in. Droopys Mate kept on for 2nd, as they bunched up in front.

True To Rachel showed some goof early boot in the puppy stayers. However, she failed to see out the trip. Murlens Tulip led at the 4th bend, but had a dwell up on the run in. After a very slow start, Murlens Tulip stayed on best and led on the run in.

In the novice marathon, Centaur Iris poached a decent lead early on and looked set to score. Despite his usual pedestrian start, Head Iton Tonge swung round handy after the first circuit and the writing looked to be on the wall. Head Iton Tonge ran on and led at the 7th for a comfortable success.

Black Horse went off a short priced favvy in the maiden. Adamant Laser led up, but was never going to stay there in a clean run race, as he was well up in class here. Stride On Babe produced a decent start and led at half way and Black Horse could not get on terms, going down by a length.

In the novice stayers stakes, Bell Imperial  started best and towed them along to the last bend. He was outstayed by the favourite Droopys Laurel and was beaten a length and a half. Lady Spurs ran wide at too many bends and faded from between the last two bends. Charity was bitterly disappointing and ran miles below her best.

Despite a recent win the the Ladrokes hurdle, Snazzy Time has been below his best recently. He produced a decent break tonight, but eased at the first and allowed Kildare Lark to turn in front. Snazzy Time paced up to lead at the 4th, only to make a mistake at the last flight and hand the race back to Kildare Lark. Strong Flow was none too fluent at the second bend and ran below his best. Ronnies Callum checked at the first two bends and was well beaten.

Genesis Alix paced up and led at the first in the maxi marathon. He pulled clear for a convincing win. Rosshill View stayed on for second. Wise Susie was slow away, showed some early pace and was crowded at the second. She was disappointed afterwards.

In the race of the night, Kindred Sparky trapped well, but was outpaced to the bend and was badly crowded. Cobra Striking unleashed his trademark early burst of speed and turned round the second bend in front. He looked decided vulnerable from the third bend and held on. Tanner Butler ran an absolute blinder in second and only went down by half a length. Centaur Decree was slow away, got a clear run and kept on to finish a further length back in third. He's not progressed after his brilliant Ocean Trailers puppy comp win. Who Needs Wings broke very well, but was smashed up at the first bend.

BBC (Big Brett Coal) was sent off a surprisingly generous 4/5 shot in the stayers race. Big Brett Coal cracked out and made all. Xamax Capel and Mitzie stayed on to finish 2nd and third respectively.

Ted Soppitt was double handed in the puppy final having got both Droopys Obafemi and Calzaghe Joe qualified for the final. Droopys Obafemi was sent off 9/4 favourite, despite a perilous looking draw in trap three. Headford County started best from trap six and led early, until Calzaghe Joe showed the best pace after getting a clear run at the first turn. He bumped Headford County out of the way at the second bend and won well. There was a pile up behind and Droopys Obafemi was unfortunately knocked over.  Opening Artist shrugged off an early bump and ran on for second. Headford County kept on for third.

The veterans event looked to be a match between January Tiger and Clonbrin Show beforehand. January Tiger was a Grand Prix winner and a former Derby semi finalist. He was sent off 4/6 favourite and destroyed the field. Clonbrin Show put a poor run and January Tiger won by a knock out in the first round.

In the Div 2 novice stayers, Smoking Jet was bizarrely sent off a 5/2 favourite. Favourite backers did not get a run at all for the money and he never got competitive. Soviet Hurricane led early, moved off between the first two bends and made all. Dunbolg Blonde plodded on for second.

Last updated: 13 Jun 2008 by Stow judge Contact