Shivoo makes it a perfect eight at Towcester in giving clock a shake

CRAFTY SHIVOO was the star of another brilliant night of Star Sports/TRC Derby action at Towcester on Saturday with a record-shaking run as she took her perfect record at the venue to eight from eight.

Trained by Mark Wallis for the MWD Partnership, she also stemmed the Irish tide in heat 12 after raiders had won the first three heats of the night - indeed honours were ultimately shared with four wins apiece.

Crafty Shivoo had landed first round odds of 1/3 in less-than-spectacular style and, although market leader again, it was at a much more-backable 11/4 and punters duly obliged with co-sponsors Star Sports reporting bets of £5,500-£2,000, £750-£300 and £750-£250.

In truth, the race was over as a contest in a matter of strides as Crafty Shivoo blasted out to a 3.98sec sectional and quickly put distance between herself and her rivals, ultimately coming home almost five lengths clear of Ballymac Slick in 28.59sec for the 500m, just one spot outside the track record jointly-held by Droopys Clue and King Memphis.

Wallis went on to complete a double when 2023 Derby Plate champion Whyaye Man (29.01sec) outstayed Grouchos Duke in heat 15, the runner-up having made it such hard work for Crafty Shivoo in round one.

Irish handler Pat Buckley was another to double up with two greyhounds at contrasting stages of their careers.

Firstly his Ballinabola Ed, on the day he officially reached veteran status, built on the promise of his comeback run a week earlier by making all in heat 10 to beat kennelmate Singalong Dolly by a length in 28.91sec in a contest where strongly-fancied duo Barntick Bear and High Trend were in the wars early and eliminated.

Buckley's inexperienced Antigua Hawk then followed his first round victory with a smart 28.77sec front-running success in heat 11.

The evening had started with a desperate finish as Peter Cronin's Azurite held Coss Tokyo by the minimum margin in heat nine as she recorded 29.09sec, likewise heat 13 where Patrick Janssens' Edwards also prevailed by a short-head as he repelled the flying finish of Boylesports Bob in 29.10sec. 

It was even closer, albeit for third, in heat 14 won impressively by Liam Dowling's Ballymac Finn (28.99sec) as Jim By Two and Savana Jackpot dead-heated for that vital last qualifying position for round three.

Lots were drawn with Savana Jackpot the fortunate one to progress although Jim By Two stands by as reverse.

The heat 16 finale also went to a photo with Seamus Cahill's Never So No just collaring Miracle in the shadow of the post for a neck victory in 29.03sec.

There were two seeding changes prior to the draw for round three with Bramble Elvis and Savana Jackpot both switching to rails from middle.

Saturday's third round - heat one: 1 Whyaye Man, 2 The Other Kobe, 3 Singalong Dolly, 4 Hawkfield Blue, 5 Wrighty, 6 Clonbrien Treaty (w).

Heat two: 1 Ballymac Finn, 2 Bramble Elvis, 3 Droopys Pivotel, 4 Faypoint Sean, 5 Aero Convey (m), 6 Boylesports Bob (w).

Heat three: 1 Bluejig Baron, 2 Havana Top Note, 3 Bockos Thunder, 4 Coss Tokyo, 5 Droopys Supply (m), 6 Churchfield Syd (w).

Heat five: 1 Superfast Gorden, 2 Jaytee Etienne, 3 Savana Jackpot, 4 Never Say No, 5 Beatties Sparkle (m), 6 Droopys Doughnut (w).

Heat five: 1 Mcneill, 2 Grouchos Duke, 3 Edwards, 4 Ballymac Gizmo, 5 Antigua Hawk (m), 6 Glengar Martha (w).

Heat six: 1 Crafty Shivoo, 2 Scaglietti, 3 Gaytime Nemo, 4 De Lahdedah, 5 Miracle (m), 6 King Combs (w).

Heat seven: 1 King Memphis, 2 Swords Rex, 3 Newinn Syd, 4 Azurite, 5 Road Exile (m), 6 Ballinabola Ed (w).

Heat eight: 1 Unreal Bruiser, 2 Cooliogold, 3 Druids All Go, 4 Hawkfield Abbie, 5 Ballymac Slick (m), 6 Burj Khalifa (w).