Fenwick and Heilbron pick up Newcastle doubles
There was open racing at Newcastle on Thursday night with finals sponsored by SR Transport. Jimmy Fenwick and Tom Heilbron took the training honours with doubles.
Newcastle doubles for Fenwick and Heilbron
Two £1,000 finals headlined Newcastle's card last night. Jimmy Fenwick and Tom Heilbron took one apiece but probably not the one that either of them was expecting to win.
An impressive UK debut last week saw Heilbron's Toddys Storm sent off 4/9 for the bitches final but it was Droopys Anthea for Fenwick who popped out in front and made all the running, seeing off her shorter price kennelmate Coppice Saphire in second. It was a third open race success for the winner and her first since November, picking up four graded races in the meantime.
Ballymac Service was sent off as the favourite for the other £1,000 final for Fenwick but he found plenty of trouble as Droopys Link cleared the field around the outside for Heilbron at 20/1. It was a clear career best run from the son of King Sheeran, and at the perfect moment for his connections.
It was Ballymac Shontae who kicked off the Fenwick double, adding to his sprint win from the week before. He came away no better than level but paced up well on the outside, hitting the front around the bend and impressively pulling clear. His 16.69 winning time was briefly the quickest time of the year over 290m
That was until Slingshot Poppy ran in the very next contest, going a spot quicker for Brian Fairbairn. She showed once more that in terms of pure pace, there are very few in the country who are capable of going with her. Runner-up Bower Sheeran (who missed the break a touch) was the National Sprint runner-up last year and is a very speedy type himself. There is surely a decent comp in her again this year.
Heilbron's double was started by Unanimous Leon who continues to produce rock-solid efforts even as a veteran. It was a fifth win in his last seven starts, the two defeats both coming in Category One company in the Ladbrokes Winter Derby and the Arena Racing Company Laurels.
Chloe Hardy took the final open race on the card with Bramble Elvis. Another veteran showing that he has plenty left in the legs, he got to the front early on and cleared away from his rivals. He picked up an open at Star Pelaw last month and an A1 at this track back in February to keep the wins rolling in.
