Droopys Deploy showed resilience in abundance at Newcastle Stadium on Thursday evening to win the Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby for Irish trainer Robert Gleeson.
Paul Allen’s April ’23 dog fluffed the start after charging the boxes and found himself two lengths behind early leader Yahoo Maizy in the opening strides.
But after pacing strongly to the first bend, Droopys Deploy was only a length down on local hope Swift Bullseye exiting the second bend before asserting his dominance on the race at the end of the back straight.
It followed a stressful day for Robert, who almost didn’t make it to Brough Park after being held up for two hours in Belfast on the journey over because of a localised storm.
Persistence on and off the track paid off eventually, though, as Droopys Deploy beat runner-up Swift Bullseye and third placed Ballymac Lucia to the £12,500 first prize. Ballymac Axel, Greenwell Tyson and Yahoo Maizy finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
The category one success capped a perfect evening for the Gleeson kennel, which also scooped the Arena Racing Company Puppy Invitational earlier on the card with Toolmaker Quick.
Robert said: “He (Droopys Deploy) charged the boxes, and didn’t break how we wanted him to. But he took the paint off the rails on the second bend which surprised me and ran on well.
“I’m so pleased for Paul (Allen, owner). He’s put his hand in his pocket and turned down a lot of money for the greyhound during the week, so it’s great he got his reward tonight. We’ll be back in England at some point this year, but we’ll chat together during the week and go from there.”
For Paul, winning the Northern Puppy Derby epitomised why he continues to own greyhounds having raced his first dog as a teenager.
Paul: “I’ve owned greyhounds for years. Robert is a genius - the dedication to travel over is second to none.
“And even with the best preparation in the world (Droopys) Deploy still had to go and do the business on the track. Nights like this are exactly why I own greyhounds. He has phenomenal pace and I’m so delighted.”
Elsewhere on the card there was plenty of local interest with all seven other open races going the way of local trainers.
Pick of the bunch was Paul Rutherford’s Wraysbury Katie who clocked the fastest time of the night when winning Division II of the Arena Racing Company Bitches in 28.42. Division I went the way of Stuart Ray’s Blackhouse Kim.
Skeard Josie won the Category Three Arena Racing Company Standard Final for Ashington-based Jimmy Fenwick who doubled up with Tyne Tees Richie who won the Arena Racing Company Sprint.
Hardwick Athena scored for a ninth time in her career when winning the Arena Racing Company Maiden Standard while odds-on shot Sunnyside Broxi made no mistake in the Maiden Stayers race.
Clona Dash rounded off the open race programme by winning the Arena Racing Company Standard for Trimdon trainer Tom Heilbron.
Racing continues at Newcastle Stadium on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Tickets are priced £9 and are available to purchase either online or on the door.
