Aayamza Sydney swooped late to scoop the Arena Racing Company Laurels at Perry Barr on Saturday night in breathtaking style, denying favourite Druids Say Go in the final strides.
The Gold Collar champion stalked Oaks winner Druids Say Go for much of the race before swinging wide off the final bend to land the £12,500 first prize by one-and-three-quarter lengths.
It capped a faultless campaign for John Mullins’ star three-year-old who went through the competition unbeaten and broke Perry Barr’s 480m track record in the process.
Even more remarkable, Aayamza Sydney’s Laurels final appearance was the sixth successive category one competition final he featured in having previously reached the final six in the Champion Stakes, Gold Collar, Olympic, Essex Vase and Winter Derby.
Fan favourite Churchfield Syd finished third for the Richard Rees kennel while Wrighty, Armagh Daithi and Coppice Trophy were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
It proved an emotional victory for trainer John Mullins, whose mother – Linda – won the competition three times during her training career in 1984, 1996 and 1997.
“I’m over the moon,” said John. “He just never knows when he’s beaten and always runs on well.
“It was a fantastic final, and credit to Druids Say Go and connections – they both made it a fantastic race and he had to work hard for the win.
“The plan now is to go to Towcester for the Derby.”
Elsewhere on the card there was local success for Dougie Butler whose July ’23 dog Inspector won the Arena Racing Company Maiden Stayers.
Judgement Night champion Mark Wallis and the MWD Partnership bagged a hat-trick of wins as Bombay Nutty won the Stayers, Ballinakill Liam took the Dash and Ballymac Taylor timed his run in the Comasky Hankin Memorial Race to perfection when beating Breton Molly by a neck.
Produce Stakes winner Southfield Poppy was tough when winning the Bitches race, and Hilton Wolf won the Standard open for Pat Doocey.
Greyhound racing continues on Saturday nights at Perry Barr Stadium through the spring and summer months. Doors open at 6pm with the first race each weekend off at 7pm.
