Barrie Draper showcased his training prowess as the BresBet Gymcrack commenced at Sheffield on Sunday, marking an impressive start to the competition.
The event, relocated from Kinsley to Sheffield's Owlerton venue, featured six exhilarating heats over 500 meters, with Draper's kennel securing victories in three of them. Ballymac Wylder, Headford Tadgh, and Ellanne Run emerged triumphant in their respective heats, solidifying Draper's dominance on the track.
Ballymac Wylder kicked off Draper's winning streak in heat two, displaying exceptional speed and control to secure a commanding win over kennelmate Ballymac Lawless.
In heat three, Headford Tadgh showcased strong-running abilities, leading the pack down the backstretch to claim victory with an impressive margin.
Ellanne Run completed Draper's hat-trick in heat four, demonstrating a fierce determination to finish ahead of the competition.
Notably, the fastest time of the session was set by Droopys Supply in heat six, trained by Patrick Janssens, who outpaced the favorite Wicky Ned to secure a notable victory.
Despite some surprises and challenges, including Sandwood Woody's injury, the Gymcrack heats saw an impressive display of talent and determination from both local and visiting trainers.
Andrew Mascarenhas, Sheffield's director of racing, expressed his satisfaction with the event's success and thanked all connections for their participation. Looking ahead, anticipation is high for Sunday's semi-finals as the competition continues to unfold.