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New Yarmouth record for Romeo Steel in East Anglian Derby semis

Romeo Steel set a new track record for Yarmouth's 462m trip in the semi-finals of the Click Competitions 79th East Anglian Derby on Wednesday evening.

Chris Oliver

11 Sept 2025

Steel too tough for Yarmouth rivals

For the second week running, the Click Competitions 79th East Anglian Derby produced a new 462m track record at Yarmouth and this time it was Romeo Steel who set the new figures.

After a level break in the first semi-final, the Patrick Janssens-trained 4/9 favourite showed his tremendous early speed to quickly open a healthy lead and he was a long way clear by the third bend.

Jason Heath’s Burrows Charm reduced the deficit to four lengths at the line but the bird had flown and Romeo Steel stopped the clock at a new best of 27.04 – six spots quicker than Swift Depot's record from last Wednesday.

Patrick Janssens

There was a thrilling finish to the second semi as Brindle Bully (9/4) reeled in long-time leader Bockos Buster late in the day.

The latter was first to show and displayed a lovely turn of foot to steal a march on his rivals, with Brindle Bully hot in pursuit as they went down the far side.

It looked as though Kevin Boon’s 8/15 favourite was going to take some catching, but the Dave Mullins-trained winner stayed on strongly to score by a length and half in 27.40.

Kelly Gutteridge (head kennelhand for Dave Mullns)

Razldazl Myway sprang a 6/1 surprise when landing the final qualifier from the front in 27.36.

Maxine Locke’s dog made full use of his draw on the rails as he went to the bend with Not So Steady and barged that rival out of the way at the corner before cutting loose.

He opened up a winning lead and although Too Wright flew home to get within three-quarters of a length of the winner, Razldazl Myway was too far clear to be caught.

Maxine Locke

The £15,000 final (below) takes place on Wednesday 17th September.

Double of Janssens

Earlier in the night, Janssens initiated a double on the card when his Yahoo Megan (8/13fav) won heat three of the MWD Partnership Sprint in a standard-setting 15.88 from Fratton Bark.

Isthatmyfella (100/30) took the opening heat for local handler Jane Craske when making all in 16.16 from Two Slip Jigs, while Paul Rea’s Grouchos King justified 13/8 favouritism in the other heat as he beat Acejukeboxpopper in 16.13.

There were also three heats of the MWD Partnership Derby Purse on the menu and Newinn Cloud (9/4) went quickest in the 659m competition.

The Mark Wallis-trained stayer came with a stirring late rattle to deny Brigadir Brindle by three-quarters of a length in 40.19, while Cartoonist (1/2fav) was only six spots slower when staying on to beat Wrighty by half a length in 40.25.

Pavilion Colleen (7/4fav) just held Bish Bash Boshy by a neck to land the other heat in 40.55.