Fawkham trainer Barry O’Sullivan is targeting a place in the Arena Racing Company’s £12,500 Cesarewitch final at Central Park Stadium, with his father Terry’s connection to the competition’s early years adding an added emotional pull

Barry O’Sullivan had a memorable evening as he reached the semi-finals of the Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch – a competition his father Terry took part in before the Second World War.

Fawkham-based trainer O’Sullivan qualified kennel stars Head Count and Harlequin Ocean for Saturday’s game at Central Park, Sittingbourne, where the six runners will be confirmed for the following week’s £12,500 final.

Reaching the semi-finals meant new territory for O’Sullivan, who has never made it past the heats in the Cesarewitch. And qualifying for the final would be particularly poignant considering the competition opened at his father’s home ground in 1928, when he was a youngster – West Ham Stadium.

Both of O’Sullivan’s greyhounds were drawn in the semi-final against Champys Girl, Unanimous Madam, last year’s finalist Alright Gordy and recent George Curtis & Ballyregan Bob Memorial finalist Breton Molly.

Despite the stiff competition, O’Sullivan is hoping to reach his first Cesarewitch final.

“She (Head Count) ran a really good race in her heat,” he said.

“I am delighted for the owners as they have supported our kennel for many years and this is probably the fastest greyhound they have ever owned.

“We thought she would enjoy the step up in the trip as she came second in a Category 2 competition at Oxford before Christmas where she competed well on a shorter trip.

“I think there’s more to come from her. We’re happy with her draw in the semi-finals as she tends to pick up a lot of speed as she runs into the corner. So we keep our fingers crossed that we can be at the top.

“Harlequin also put in a career best performance in qualifying so it was a good night for the kennel.

“We have never reached the final of the Cesarewitch. This would mean a lot to us as the competition started in West Ham, where my father had runners in the 1940s – we are hoping for a good outcome.”

Elsewhere, Tom Levers from Marden qualified for the first semi-final with Bombay Zorba, who clocked 44.98 seconds in the third run to finish third. Walderslade’s Daniel Brabon is also in action on Saturday, while Ballycowen’s Harry features in the semi-final.

Last year’s champion, Garfiney Blaze, qualified confidently by winning the sixth round in 44.04 seconds and finishing in the third semifinal. However, Sean Parker’s Droopys Flare (semifinal) was fastest, setting a new course record of 43.87 in the fourth run.

Tickets, track packages and restaurant availability for the Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch semi-final can be booked online at centralpark-greyhounds.co.uk/, subject to availability. Check-in is at 5:30 p.m., the first of twelve races starts at 6:37 p.m.