Vedfield Emperor sews it up early

Vedfield Emperor produced a much-improved and top-class performance when winning the first semi-final of the valuable Greyhound & Pet World A1 525 at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

A 17.50 sprint winner here last month, he was beaten on his first couple of starts over four bends but made the breakthrough with victory in last weekend’s opening round, where he led early and just had enough to repel all challengers.

Owned by Julie O’Sullivan and Declan Murphy, the lightly raced tracker is out of Dromore Hingis, who is a half-sister to 2010 Tralee Juvenile Classic winner Dromore Dazzler and 2009 Barry’s Tea 750 finalist Echo Lady. That class shone through on this occasion as he posted a sizzling 3.29 opening split to race clear past the judge on the first circuit.