NEWCASTLE United striker Craig Bellamy has a star in the making in brilliant puppy Baggio.

Trained at Kelloe by top open-race handler Ted Soppitt, the October 2000 Split The Bill-Rubys Thatch black dog scorched round the tricky Sunderland 450m circuit in an astonishing 27.47 secs on his first trial at the East Boldon track.

And what was even more impressive was the pup's phenomenal opening sectional time of 5.08 secs - 5.20 is quick for top A1 graders at the track - demonstrating electric early pace.

Sunderland racing manager Jimmy Nunn said: "It was a very good time for a puppy, especially on its first visit to the track.

"But the most significant thing about the run was his sectional time of 5.08 - the best-ever sectional time here is only about 5.06.

"He is like lightning out of the boxes."

Baggio scored a runaway maiden open race victory at Nottingham on Monday night, winning a 300m sprint by a comfortable four lengths, leading from traps to line despite a trap three draw, justifying odds of 4-11f.

Meanwhile, Soppitt, who has had great open-race success with greyhounds bearing his Droopys pre-fix, was desperately unlucky in the £20,000 Regal Scottish Derby at Shawfield when Droopys Rhys, under the handicap of a difficult trap three draw, finished third.

Sunderland start their Wednesday evening 15-race BAGS programmes next week and they will continue through to mid-August.

* Brough Park will be the home track of Ballymacdoe Gent, at 1,800 guineas the top lot at last Sunday's sale of young Irish greyhounds at the Tyneside Track.

He will be trained at the Byker stadium by Gordon Rooks.

Brough hosts four £150 open races next Tuesday, from spring to 640m and including a puppy 480m.