Churchfield Syd pinged the lids to win his first Category 1 title in the PGR Kent Derby Final at Central Park on Sunday afternoon in a time of 29.15.
Despite the Racing Post prediction that English Derby runner-up Romeo Command might make the most of the inside trap, he went off third favourite behind Churchfield Syd and track record holder, Droopys Clue, for the £20,000 showpiece.
After a familiar blast of early pace, Churchfield Syd found himself at the head of the pack turning in as the other two principals found themselves in trouble. Romeo Command just failed to hold his pitch inside the blue jacket of King Ezra and Droopys Clue completely missed the break.
With Richard Rees’ son of Droopys Sydney out of Millbank Jade away and gone, Asbo Lenny turned in second with Havana Lover in third.
At the back of the field, King Ezra gave Droopys Clue a bump taking the St Leger winner and track record holder out of the reckoning.
As Churchfield Syd maintained his advantage down the back straight, Romeo Command grabbed the rail to move up into third ahead of Havana Lover who was not quite as accommodating as a resurgent ‘Cluedo’ tried to pass her, holding her pitch into the third bend.
It looked for a brief second that outsider, Asbo Lenny might challenge on the run-in but Churchfield Syd had his measure. Finishing the fastest however was Romeo Command and Peter Janssen’s brindled dog got up to finish second, 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner.
