Gracie sets semis standard as Ferguson and Fenwick dominate
Kevin Ferguson and Jimmy Fenwick underlined their domination of the competition by filling all the places for Monday’s BGBF British Breeders Stakes Final at Nottingham.
Kinsley trainer Ferguson has four finalists - all members of the same litter - while Newcastle handler Fenwick has two finalists after the pair split Monday’s semi-finals of the 500m British-bred competition at the Colwick Park venue.
Coppice Gracie was again quickest on the clock as Jimmy Fenwick’s runner repeated her heat success by pacing up into the lead to justify 4-7 favouritism before coming away to win by over two lengths in 29.78sec in the first semi - she posted 29.74sec last week.
Chasing the Newcastle bitch home were Acomb Felix and Acomb Alfie as the littermates - both sons of a March 2021 batch by Hiya Butt out of Acomb Ruby - kept on to secure places in the £12,500-to-the-winner decider, live on Sky Sports Racing.
Acomb Johnny then led home a family one-two in the second semi-final as he edged litter sister Acomb Irene at the first bend and kicked on for a length success over his family rival, with Jimmy Fenwick’s Tickets Bullet home in third. The winning time was 30.30sec.
The BGBF British Breeders Stakes Final, won last year by Patrick Janssens' Romeo Command (pictured), will be supported by the final of the BGBF British Bred Midlands Sprint Trophy.
Monday’s semi-finals were won by Phil Milner’s Keefill George (18.02sec) and Jason Gray’s Fabulous Tempo (18.08sec).
Trap draw for Monday’s BGBF British Breeders Stakes Final — Nottingham, 500m: 1 Acomb Alfie, 2 Comb Felix, 3 Tickets Bullet, 4 Acomb Irene (m), 5 Acomb Johnny (m), 6 Coppice Gracie (w).