Janssens lands a treble as the BresBet Steel City Cup gets underway

Droopys Trade after winning heat one of the BresBet Steel City Cup at Sheffield

Treble for Janssens in Steel City Cup heats

All eyes on Sunday were on Sheffield as the BresBet Steel City Cup kicked off with six heats and Patrick Janssens bagged three of them.

The Derby-winning trainer got off to a flying start as Droopys Trade (4/9fav) won the opening heat of the Category One event, showing superior early speed to turn in front. It was plain sailing thereafter, as he stretched clear and crossed the line a length and a half clear of Romeo On Point in 28.88.

Romeo Steel followed up for the Janssens kennel by justifying 2/9 favouritism with ease in heat two.

The East Anglian Derby hero rocketed out of the boxes before stealing a march on his rivals and making all with three lengths to spare from Timmys Hunter in 28.73.

 Romeo Steel

Janssens completed his treble when Romeo Ability made first run count to score in 28.94.

The October 2023 son of Romeo Magico just managed to get across from trap four and lead them round the opening turns, then he kicked clear to stretch them out. The 4/6 favourite recorded a comfortable four-and-a-half-length success from Jacktavern Chief.

 Romeo Ability

There was a double for Tom Heilbron, who got on the scoresheet as Deerjet Rocket blazed a trail on his way to scoring by a length and a half at 4/1 from Keefill Goose in 28.84.

Deerjet Rocket 

Early pace won the race again as the north east handler struck with Toddys Tank (100/30), who flashed out of the boxes on his way to a dominant success from Romeo Force in a smart 28.71.

 Toddys Tank 

However, the best was saved for last as Chelms Bear (4/9fav) set the standard with a 28.70 victory in the final heat. 

As usual, the recent Birmingham Cup winner had to come from off the pace but he got a dream run on the inside down the back straight and powered into the lead approaching the third bend. From there, the Craig Morris-trained dog ran away with it and finished seven and three-quarters lengths clear of Untold Euro.

 Chelms Bear

The semi-finals (below) take place on Sunday 12th October.

There were two more opens the menu at Owlerton Stadium and there was another winner for Janssens, whose Yahoo Megan (8/15fav) quickly asserted on his way to landing a 280m sprint in 16.06.

Distant Fox gave the locals something to cheer about when making all at 9/2 in the 660m contest and Rose Draper's charge just held the well-fancied Fabulous Heka for a 39.28 success.

Upcoming opens

Monday: Nottingham

Tuesday: Swindon

Friday: Dunstall Park-Romford

Saturday: Central Park

Sunday: Sheffield