The Towcester ‘Pre-Derby’ Sales has quickly produced its first major event finalist with Ballymac John reaching the final of the Category Two Seasons Scaffolding Puppy Cup at Hove.
Worth £5000 to the winner, the 18-runner event restricted to May 2021 or younger greyhounds had produced a fiercely competitive field in the first round with the likes of Maree Champion, Highfield May and Coppice Zaya just some of the names included.
Thankfully for Greyhound Trader, of their two associated greyhounds to be entered, both Ballymac John and Jacktavern Magic successfully qualified for the final having been sold to the new MWD Partnership by Greyhound Trader in recent months.
Ballymac John, a September 2021 Ballymac Cashout x Ballymac Arminta pup, was bought for £17,000 out of the 2023 edition of the Towcester ‘Pre-Derby’ Sales and has been quick to justify the decision to buy him. Quickly away from traps, the young dog led from the beginning to win Heat One in impressive fashion by 3 1/2 lengths in 29.45.
Private purchase Jacktavern Magic ran a different type of race, running on strongly in Heat Three to qualify in second place behind 7/4F Bubbly Cooper. A May 2021 son of Droopys Sydney of Blundel Spark, the half-brother to Irish Marathon sensation Dana Point was purchased with the idea of racing over 6-bends but the opportunity to mix it with puppies at the strong running Hove circuit was too good an opportunity to miss with the decision most certainly paying off for trainer Mark Wallis.
Dave Clark of the Racing Post comments “The Mark Wallis trained duo of Ballymac John and Jacktavern Magic have been drawn out in traps five and six. Both greyhounds performed brilliantly in victory and defeat respectively, with the former an immensely promising type who may not be suited to his wider draw.”
Greyhound Trader wishes the best of luck to the MWD Partnership in not only the final this weekend, but afterwards too with a huge amount of respect for they are trying to achieve!
