Copney Queen setting the pace in Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby
The quickest of the winners in the Arc Northern Puppy Derby last week was John Flaherty's Copney Queen - and the same kennel have Naochra at Monmore in the Ladbrokes Winter Derby semis on Saturday.
Super Queen eyeing Newcastle crown
Copney Queen set the standard in Thursday’s Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby heats, with trainer John Flaherty dreaming of a major competition double at his local track.
The June ’24 daughter of 2018 English Greyhound Derby champion Dorotas Wildcat caught the eye when clocking 28.70 over Newcastle Stadium’s 480m trip in heat five.
It marked a winning UK debut for one of the latest additions to John’s Lanarkshire kennel, and came seven months after kennel star Naochra scooped the £12,500 Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat at the Byker venue last summer.
Her performance was the highlight of the evening, which included three other locally trained winners out of the competition’s six heats with Ballymac Buddy, Droopys Trigger and Woltemade also winning their respective races.
Savva Roberts especially had a night to remember, with all three of his entries – Droopys Trigger, Droopys Calla and Mossend Brute – advancing to the semi-finals.
Despite setting the early pace, John said his star youngster is open to even more improvement if she finds her trapping boots.
“If she comes away from the boxes quicker, she’s got every chance in this competition,” said Flaherty.
“She paced up well to the first bend in her heat last week, but she could’ve been quicker at the start. It was only her second run over the 480m trip, so we’re hoping for some improvement although the draw for this week is a touch awkward.
“We’re happy enough and know what it takes to win Category One competitions, so fingers crossed she can do the business.
“Puppies are always open to improvement, and of last week’s qualifiers Ballymac Buddy and Woltemade both caught my eye – they didn’t do too much wrong in the heats.”
Newcastle won’t be the only destination for John this week.Northern Flat champion Naochra qualified for the Winter Derby semi-finals at Monmore, Wolverhampton, on Saturday where he’s been drawn in heat one.
Flaherty added: “He (Naochra) always gives 100 per cent, and has finished outside the first three only twice since September 2024 which is some record.
“It’s a seriously competitive competition, and I think his running style these days doesn’t necessarily suit running against the top greyhounds as he’s lost a bit of that early pace he had as a youngster. It’s exciting to be involved in though.”
Tickets for the Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby semi-finals on Thursday, February 12, are available online via www.newcastle-greyhounds.co.uk. Doors open at 5.30pm, with the first of 12 races on the night off at 6.37pm.
