Wallis tips Benkaat to have big future
MARK Wallis was left praising the run of Benkaat Blue following his third-place finish in the final of this year’s Primus Telecom Puppy Derby at Henlow on Tuesday.
Following a short-head win in the second of Thursday’s semi-finals, the son of Droopys Scolari was left with a tall order in the final of the Category One competition after being drawn in trap six.
Overcoming his poor draw, Benkaat Blue was then unlucky in running after meeting trouble on the third bend.
Although never looking like catching runaway winner Coolavanny Bert, the Lakenheath handler’s charge stayed on gamely to take third.
“It was a very good run as he was a bit unlucky in running. I think if he had been drawn on the inside he would have gone closer,” said Wallis. “The main thing is that he has come out of the race fine.
“He will now head off to the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby, which begins next month. Hopefully he can avoid been badly drawn in the competition. He is definitely a dog with a big future.”
Although not on the mark with Benkaat Blue, Wallis did enjoy a winner on the supporting card at the Bedfordshire circuit following high class stayer Aero Majestic’s success in the Voicenet Mini Staers race.
Victory was never in doubt for last year’s Williamhill.com St Leger winner, who was sent off a well-supported even money favourite, recording a cosy traps-to-line win.
“Aero Majestic continues to remain in good form,” added Wallis. “They are no big races for him to compete in yet but we will ensure that he keeps ticking over.”
Tomorrow, Wallis will look to strengthen his lead at the top of the Betdaq Premier League standings in round three of the four-leg final at Doncaster.
Teaming up with Paul Sallis to form the Imperial Rock Its, the three-times champion trainer is confident his team of five can make good use of some handy trap draws.
“We have got some good draws for the meeting with three of our runners being drawn in trap one which is a big advantage,” he added.
“With Dixies Air, Jazz Apollo and Lil Risky all drawn on the inside we will big looking to score big points out of them to extend our lead at the top of the table as they are all exceptional dogs.
“It is a shame Paul could not trial his runners due to the bad weather the other week as would have been nice to have a couple of his runners on the card. Despite this though we go to Doncaster with a very strong team.”
On Saturday, Mountjoy Orion will flag for Imperial Kennels in the opening semi-final of this year’s Category One Ladbrokes Golden Jacket at Crayford.
Mountjoy Orion was the only one of the three-strong team sent by Wallis to make it through the opening round heats with both Carden Twilight and Aldataro Lass facing early exits.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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