Sarah scores for table-topper Locke in SIS Sprint heats

HEADFORD SARAH boosted Maxine Locke’s Trainer of the Year ambitions when setting the standard in the first round of the inaugural SIS Sprint Trophy over 238m at Harlow.

Locke, seeking a first title, had a 139 points advantage over fellow Romford handler Paul Young at start of play on Monday, and Headford Sarah added 5 to her tally when storming to victory in the final heat of the Category One competition with the prospect of more to come.

A 7/2 chance, she pinged from trap three and powered home almost six lengths to the good of Duffin Dermy in clocking a superb 14.88sec (+10).

It was a good night for Romford handlers with Martyn Wiley’s Rosstemple Vivo (16.33sec) springing a 16/1 surprise in heat four.

Former Romford-based Nathan Hunt, now attached to Monmore, took the opener with Bretons Girl in 15.11sec, while other heats went to Michelle Brown’s Scurry finalist Roanna Mamba (15.01sec), Patrick Browne’s Sunnyside Ted (15.16sec) and Jamie Kingsley’s British debutant Croydon Bucko (15.17sec).

Draw for Monday’s semi-finals - first: 1 Mustang Razor, 2 Headford Sarah, 3 Yahoo Megan, 4 Croydon Bucko, 5 Newinn Souly, 6 Blackburnybullet (m).

Second: 1 Roanna Mamba, 2 Duffin Dermy, 3 Boildacabbage, 4 Bretons Girl, 5 Headford Fiona (m), 6 Sunnyside Ted (w).

Third: 1 Venetian Ricky, 2 Lesleys Buddy, 3 Strideaway Baby, 4 Nightingale Crew, 5 Rosstemple Vivo (m), 6 Mahoonagh Hoffa (m).