TOM HEILBRON paid tribute to the late trainer and breeder Harry Williams, whose life was celebrated and remembered on the same night, after lifting the Arena Racing Company Puppy Cup Final at Sunderland on Friday with a brilliant performance from Untold Ruble in the £7,500 Category Two decider.

A fast start from the July 22 daughter of Droopys Sydney and Carrigmore Dizzy, the only bitch in the 450m contest, laid the foundations for a length and three-quarters victory over the Monmore-based pair of Newinn Souly (Kim Billingham) and No Better Feelin (Chris Fereday) in 26.85sec (normal). The latter had clocked the fastest semi-final time.

However, the Newcastle runner soon had her rivals at full stretch in the dash to the bend and raced away for success much to the delight of owners Kevin Heilbron, the trainer’s father, John Jefferson and the young Newcastle trainer himself, who is now aiming the youngster at the upcoming Angel of the North at home track Newcastle.

Heilbron said: “We were all buzzing after that – especially her start. To get it so right in the final after missing it the last two weeks was really special – in fact I blame myself for her not getting it right before. I’m just delighted things have worked out for come the final – it’s certainly a special feeling on a really good and memorable night.

“Massive thanks to the sponsors and everyone at Sunderland. It was also an honour to win the Harry Williams Memorial Trophy later in the card with Unanimous Leon – Harry did so much for greyhound racing, especially in the north east, and is much missed. He was an absolute gentleman and well done to Sunderland for hosting such a special night.”

Untold Ruble will continue her own campaign in the north east with a crack at the Arena Racing Company Angel of the North at Newcastle, an event which will run side by side with the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat. The heats of both competitions take place at the Byker venue on Thursday, July 11.

Friday’s meeting at Sunderland included a host of races named after former stars of the track connected to Harry Williams including his Scottish Derby champions New Level and Pond Hurricane plus Blue Artisan, with the BGBF Harry Williams Blue Artisan British Bred Final, a Category Three event, sharing the stage with the Arc Puppy Cup Final.

This was won by the Kevin Ferguson-owned, trained and bred Acomb Irene in 26.54sec (normal), the British Breeders Stakes runner-up and Laurels and 3 Steps To Victory finalist posting the fastest time of the night for 450m.

Sunderland’s general manager Joanne Wilson said: “It was a real honour to host the Harry Williams Memorial Meeting and it turned out to be everything I had hoped it would.

“We welcomed Harry’s wife Rita, family and friends, and it was great to see everyone together again celebrating the life of such a legend of the sport.

“I’d like to thank each and every trainer who supported the event and I know it meant a great deal to them to be a part of it, especially Tom Heilbron winning the Arc Puppy Cup with the very talented Untold Ruble and Kevin Ferguson winning the Harry Williams Blue Artisan British Bred, sponsored by the BGBF, with Acomb Irene.

“We had a bumper crowd and a successful night, one which will be to talked about for a long time to come in the sport. We hope to make it an annual event.”