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Other Friday night open winners - Sheffield and Sunderland

Away from the Coral Romford Puppy Cup, there was also open race action at Sheffield and Sunderland on Friday night with a sweep for Rose Draper at Sheffield

Matt Newman

06 Sept 2025

Doubles for Blackbird and Heilbron at Sunderland

It has been an excellent year for the Dean Blackbird kennel, picking up open race winners 27 and 28 last night. Hoffa Epic got off the mark in open company at Star Pelaw last month, adding to that with a Sunderland success. Ballymac Aki doubled the Blackbird tally, getting off the mark at the fourth time of asking.

Tom Heilbron was also at the double, seeing his Droopys Cardi and Romeo Alonso winning. The former is a relative newcomer to the kennel, working her way up the grades at Perry Barr for Emily Blunt before joining Heilbron. The latter turned over Sunnyside Broxi in a 640m contest adding to his track and distance success in June.

Droopys Trigger produced the quickest 450m time of the night in the opening contest. The March 24 whelp was making just the second start of his career for Savva Roberts, beating Crafty Regalo for Carl Jackson. Both pups look to have a nice future.

Jackson picked up a winner himself with Ballymac Deboss taking a sprint in 15.57 on his UK debut. He has the third quickest 525y time of the year so far at Mullingar so will be well suited to a step up in trip. Romantic Tessie won the other sprint open on the night for Shirley Linley.

Cunnigar King does not have many miles on the clock, landing his third win in just five starts for Mark Bulmer, and his first in an open. The litter brother to Ballinakill Liam produced a 27.26 performance on the night.

Just 10 spots slower was Whitehills Titan for Ryan Buckton. He has been a model of consistency throughout his career, picking up his second open race win for current connections. The other open race on the night went to Paul Miller's Strike It Belle, winning on just her second attempt over six bends.

Sheffield sweep for Rose Draper

Three open races on Friday night at Sheffield all went to the kennel of Rose Draper. Distant Fox landed the stayers event, a sixth career open race win over the 660m test, with four of those coming this year. It brought up a hat-trick of wins for him, an A2 success sandwiched by a pair of six-bend opens.

A sprint contest saw Tee Emgee Foxy off the mark in open race company. She has seven top grade wins to her credit, so she was not winning out of turn at this level, another Coolavanny Hoffa offspring with early speed to burn.

The other open on the night was a 500m contest, with Are Malikian getting the job done. The veteran has been in good form this summer, winning half of his last 16 starts.