Heats take off at Sunderland for Classic
The williamhill.com Classic is considered to be one of UK’s most valuable competitions and this year has attracted a top class field. Six heats were run at Sunderland last night, which greyhounds managed to prevail to the next stage over the 450m trip?
Greyhound of the year Fear Zafonic (evens favourite) made his return in the opening heat and managed to pay-off dividends in a stylish fashion overcoming all sorts of trouble to clock 27.25sec for Charlie Lister.
English Derby runner-up Lyreen Mover (2-1 favourite) gave connections something to smile about after a stressful few weeks when taking the second heat in a six-and-a-quarter length victory to beat a tough field.
The Hungarian trained charge clocked 26.83sec for trainer Gabor Tenczel and has now been installed as the favourite in the ante-post markets.
Sunoak Crystal (12-1) was surprisingly quick away from trap six, producing the best sectional on the clock and led to the end to beat Ballymac Ace by half-a-length, clocking 26.98sec.
Newlawn Class (5-1) out paced the field in heat four by two-and-three-quarters-of-a-length to secure his semi-final place next week. The Irish trained greyhound that was under Pat Buckley in the Bettor.com Scottish Derby is now represented by Keith Allsopp, it will be interesting to see if there’s any change.
The biggest shocker of the night came from heat five as Graham Thompson’s Melview Ace paid dividend to any fortunate punter at 33-1.
Ace produced an equal sectional time as Royal Clover, but led and ran on to beat favourite Blue Artisan in a time of 27.40sec.
Gary Carmichael’s Sniper Petra took the last heat in 27.18sec.
Next week’s semi-finals will see the competition step up a level as the top 18 compete for a chance to qualify through to the £25,000 final.
Draw for Friday's williamhill.com Classic semis:
First: 1 Deanridge Rage, 2 Jogadusc Ace, 3 Fear Zafonic, 4 Romeo Reason, 5 Freedom State (m), 6 Newlawn Class (m).
Second: 1 Droopys Noel, 2 Lyreen Mover, 3 Boherbradda Mac (m),4 Target Classic (m), 5 Farlawns Cecil (m), 6 Sunoak Crystal (w).
Third: 1 Ballymac Ace, 2 Melview Ace, 3 Blue Artisan, 4 Sniper Petra, 5 November Weather (m), 6 Mario Gomez (w).
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