Runner-by-runner guide to the Doncaster Puppy Derby final

Final of the Doncaster Puppy Derby

Doncaster stages its biggest event of the year on Saturday with the final of the Doncaster Puppy Derby and we thank Stephen Gray, racing official at the South Yorkshire venue, for his profile of the finalists in the first running of the event. 

They are chasing a first prize of £10,000 and Category One glory over the 450m on an all-open race card.

1 - Carrigoon Cece - Michelle Brown - Michelle Brown Syndicate - 1/2

Clearly the one they all have to beat in this all-railer final. Blessed with superb trapping ability, she now moves to the inside after two middle draws. On her tracking in the two rounds previously, her draw appears a plot one and she'll likely be short odds to take victory in this inaugural £10,000-to-the-winner final. She's yet to taste defeat in two previous races from a trap one draw and, seemingly, whatever beats her will go on and win the final.

2 - Demon Hunter - Tom Heilbron - Mr D Bradley & Mr B Collins - 7/1

Far better drawn here following two potentially tricky draws previously. A strong-running youngster, she could easily find herself taking first aim at the favourite drawn inside her. Would have to improve on the clock, but has a C&D victory to her name here prior to the competition starting. If turning unscathed, she is interesting for sure. I cannot rule her out. One of two greyhounds in the final for Tom (Heilbron) and this one was purchased out of the recent Doncaster sales. 

3 - My Twilight Zone - Tom Heilbron - Link Kennels Syndicate - 7/1

I thought he'd run well in his semi-final - and so it proved, winning the race in a 'three-way go', a memorable finish. Not only for that reason, but post-race having to try and split the two greyhounds behind in second. This proved impossible to do after lengthy scrutiny, so a coin toss was necessary. 

There's no doubting My Twilight Zone left time on the track following a torrid start. I just wonder if he can afford a similar mistake here. It must be noted, however, he has previous 'fast sectional' times on his card at home track Newcastle and is one from one in T3 in his career to date, interestingly with Demon Hunter drawn inside him on that occasion also!

4 - Aero Molly - Richie Taberner - Aero Racing Syndicate - 25/1

Like Demon Hunter she was purchased out of the recent Doncaster sales and improved somewhat eye-catchingly in her semi-final defeat behind Carrigoon Cece, and was the one I took out of all the qualifiers. I like her a helluva lot and, in time, feel her career belongs over further - and at the highest level. However, in here I feel the draw has somewhat been against her. She cannot possibly be underestimated, though, from a kennel blessed with Category One winners and finalists recently.

5 - Cluain Denis - Gemma Evans - Mr S Artiss, Miss P Evans-Haylett, Mr R O'Dwyer & Mr M Silver - 25/1

Another whom I felt would benefit, and improve, for his heat run ahead of the semis, and so it proved, losing nothing in defeat behind Shado Earth after being checked up on more than one occasion. His draw here, though, is a little fraught. Initially, I felt a more middle draw would suit and one of his two victories to date has been from T3- but T5? I like him, he tries hard and stepped up another notch in his semi-final defeat, but it's the draw where we are very much going into the unknown! It could be a positive, but  . . .

6 - Shado Earth - David Mullins - Mr G Carpenter, Mr D Clarke, Mr R Marling & Mr Ga Watson - 5/1

Comes into the final as the least experienced youngster and, like Carrigoon Cece, is undefeated throughout the competition so far. Of those to make the final, he's one of two to show they have very decent early pace along with his rival in T1. Either are the most likely pacesetters and are nicely separated on draw. 

He's proved to be a tough pup to pass from the front. Being drawn T6 in an all-rails final and/or race, can prove, from my many years of experience, to be more beneficial than it first seems! Like all of the finalists, there's untold improvement to come, particularly from him after only three races in his life. However, can he turn ahead of Cece on all known factors? I firmly believe, therein, lies his chance.

Good luck and the very best experience to all our talented youngsters in reaching this stage of a most prestigious event in the puppy calendar.