Sheffield, England
Saturday May 30, 2023
BARRIE DRAPER sent out Distant Emma to win the kennel’s fourth 3 Steps To Victory title with a brilliant win in the Time Greyhound Nutrition-backed tri-distance competition at Sheffield’s Owlerton Stadium.
With heats over 480m, semi-finals over 500m and the final over 660m, the 3 Steps is a unique event and has a special place in the hearts of UK racegoers – and to Draper himself as Distant Emma followed his previous wins in the event with Farloe Hack (2004), Ballymac Eske (2014) and Bull Run Button (2019).
Distant Emma, an October 2020 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Distant Lucy and litter sister of the highly rated Distant Podge, is therefore a granddaughter of the wonderful Ballymac Eske – so making Distant Emma’s victory extra special for owners Peter Band and Wendy Prince.
For the record, Distant Emma came again on the run for home to reel in the Mark Wallis-trained Crossfield Cora, who had led for much of the way over the six-bend trip. Distant Emma won by a length and three-quarters in 38.95sec (+30).
William Rigney of Time Greyhound Nutrition said: “Congratulations to Barrie and his team. Distant Emma’s performance was right out of the top drawer and, given it was a local victory, was pretty popular and capped a fantastic night at the track.
“Our thanks to the Sheffield management, in particular Andrew Mascarenhas, and we are delighted to be associated with such a fantastic and unique competition.”