Droopys Bradley eyes the St Leger double
Droopys Bradley, the recent winner of the St Leger at Wimbledon, is set to have a crack at the Yorkshire St Leger, which is due to commence on Saturday at Doncaster.
Not only did Paul Donovan’s classy hound become the St Leger champ last week, but the manner in which he achieved the classic suggests that a new legend of the staying division could be born. A jam-packed Wimbledon crowd was treated to a stunning performance as Droopys Bradley broke his own-track record, which he previously recorded in the semi-final, to give up-and-coming trainer Donovan the first of what is surely to be many classic titles. Donovan’s Junior Mac’s win in the Irish Grand National at Harold’s Cross only reiterated that point, in what was a brilliant week for the London-based handler.
“It took a while to make the decision to run Bradley at Doncaster, mainly based on the concern that he won’t have been round the track before,” Donovan said.
“But I’ve been right over the dog and he’s double well, absolutely bang on, and I’ve decided to enter him and the positives outweigh the negatives. Hopefully he’ll look after himself in the first round, get through and be all the better for the experience for the semi-finals onwards.”
Droopys Bradley will renew some recent acquaintances in the Yorkshire showpiece, as St Leger runner-up Bower Hawk and finalist He Went Woosh will both be looking to turn the tables on the runaway champion.
Other threats to his chance at completing the St Leger double include Molson Coors 3 Steps To Victory winner Head Iton Jason, who has gone unbeaten since picking up the major Sheffield race. Also, Ten Dollars More will have to be respected if returning to his mid-season form that won the Ladbrokes Stayers final at Monmore. Charlie Lister has entered Carbarns Tom and Droopys Belletti, which emphasizes the brilliant work done by racing manager Yvonne Freeborn at Doncaster to attract such a high-class field.
The turnout of 24 dogs in total for the competition is a brilliant achievement considering the end of season timing of the event.
“Were absolutely delighted with the entry and I think it shows the progress we’ve made over the past couple of years,” Freeborn said.
“In the past people might have thought ‘it’s only little old Doncaster’ when we advertised a competition like this, but more people know just what were about now.”
The same could be said for Droopys Bradley, who after his efforts at Wimbledon provides a benchmark for all opponents to aim at.
Saturday's heats of the Betfair Yorkshire St Leger, Doncaster 661m:
Heat one (20:19pm):1 Blue Bee (Matt Dartnall, Swindon), 2 Desert Judy (Tony Mckenna, Sheffield), 3 Farloe Can Do (Kim Billingham, Monmore), 4 Head Iton Jason (m) (Steve Race, Unattached), 5 Ten Dollars More (m) (Chris Allsopp, Monmore), 6 He Went Whoosh (w) (Claude Gardiner, Hove)
Heat two (20:52): 1 Bodell Clare (Hazel Kemp, Henlow), 2 Ballymac Rumble (Chris Allsopp, Monmore), 3 Oneco Leader (John Reid, Peterborough), 4 Pennys Genesis (John Walton, Sheffield), 5 Swift Lewis (m) (Bev Heaton, Belle Vue), 6 Carbarns Tom (w) (Charlie Lister, Unattached)
Heat three (21:27): 1 Droopys Eugene (Elaine Parker, Sheffield), 2 Lucerne Rhys (Harry Crapper, Sheffield), 3 Droopys Bradley (Paul Donovan, Wimbledon), 4 Penskey John (m) (John Curry, Kinsly), 5 Droopys Simon (w) (Pat Rosney, Unattached), 6 Droopys Belletti (w) (Charlie Lister, Unattached)
Heat four (21:44): 1 Frisby Fontenblu (Harry Crapper, Sheffield), 2 Hovex Brandy (Claude Gardiner, Hove), 3 Glenagower Champ (Chris Allsopp, Monmore), 4 Centurion Enry (m) (Paul Young, Romford), 5 Bower Hawk (m) (Pat Rosney, Unattached), 6 Shades Of Jonah (w) (Martin Cutler, Sheffield)
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