Moveit Jamie looks a good 'un for team Draper

BARRIE DRAPER has half the field through to the Tuesday’s [Feb 23] Dual Distance final at Sheffield – which is over 500m, the Tuesday 16th eliminators being at 480m – after qualifying all three of his heat runners when sending out the forecast in the opener, and then taking the last heat in tremendously impressive fashion with Moveit Jamie.

This looks a proper dog, and after prevously 'winning' a debut void race, proved he is indeed something special when taking a first bend baulk in his stride before smoothly accelerating down the back to lead at the third in the manner of a right good sort.

His time of 28.12sec was the fastest, though he faces a tricky decider with five unseeded runners.

Droopys Ranger, who showed good pace to lead second to third, also went through with Farloe Razl missing out after having led up.

The Draper ’cast was Magna Flintoff (made all, 28.39sec) beating Freedom State two lengths. Derby finalist Farloe Reason walked out of the boxes but ran creditably to take a close up third after finding crowding too.

Heat two was bunched, and fell to sprinter and rank 14-1 outsider Honchos Hawk (28.45sec) who slipped the field at the first bend,

Both Arc hero Farloe Titan and Ninja Jamie mistimed their starts and were in the proverbial all sorts. Farloe Titan battled on to qualify and has drawn red in the £1,000 decider.

Earlier Charlie Lister enjoyed better luck when Bandicoot Tipoki won [backed into 4-7F] on his first start of the year, soon leading to clock 29.04sec over 500m. Draper’s Farloe Rocket kept close rails on his 2010 reappearance and showed enough to suggest he will be winning soon too.

Eden Dom kicked off a Draper treble when taking an early lead in the 720m open.

Tuesday’s 500m final 1 Farloe Titan 2 Moveit Jamie 3 Magna Flintoff 4 Droopys Ranger 5 Honchos Hawk 6 Freedom State (m)