Draws for the first three finals supporting next Wednesday’s Coral Champion Stakes decider at Romford have been made and if the semi finals are anything to go by, they should attract plenty of punting interest.
The Puppy Standard Final would be worthy of a Romford Puppy Cup decider. Quickest in the line-up on semi form is Crayford raider Loughteen Bob (T6) who avoid crowding on his inside (which accounted or favourite Droopys Zap) to shoot clear from the stripes and lead home Makeit Rennie by a couple in 23.97.
The final will provide an opportunity for one of the event’s most fancied runners, Droopys Schnoz to reverse form with the impressive Pro Power. Jason Heath’s Schnoz (11-8f) boasts a 23.79 over course and distance but he was always trailing Dave Mullins’ Pro Power who went to traps as a 4-1 chance despite a 24.00 win on debut. The youngest in the line-up Pro Power trapped and ran like an experienced open racer. Winning time 24.10.
If race comments could say ‘bang, gone’, they would reflect Toolmaker Rambo‘s debut performance. After bombing away in a Golden Sprint class 3.66, the Paul Young trained black held off Makeit Boomtimeby three in the night’s second 24.10 performance.
The Maiden Stayers 575 heats provided a different type of test for punters – there was no lack of form, but which of it was relevant?
A good example occurred in the first heat where punters were left to decide ‘is unbeaten 400m form better than proven form over the longer trip?
In this case the answer is ‘yes’ as Ernie Gaskin’s four-timer Swift Magnum (9-4) produced a flawless front-running performance to beat Coolykereen Gold (8-1) by just over two in 35.86. Melodys George – the 35.56 winner over course and distance on a previous outing was crowded early and failed to justify his 2-1f SP.
The second heat saw a drifting favourite in Linda Pruhs’ ex-Derby runner On Alert – returned 5-4f. The red jacketed front runner duly delivered but benefited from the strong running Swift Hersilia (4-1) being unable to decide whether to challenge on the rails or wide off the last bend. The error cost her a head verdict behind 35.91 winner Alert.
The final heat was only for five runners but possibly involved the most crowding in racing. The early stages were dominated by 5-1 chance Swift Nathan with joint favourites Melodys Winner (2-1jf) and Designer Cee in the pack. With a circuit behind them, the big striding Winner looked likely to live up to his name but a moment’s hesitation at the third bend and a late rally from Nathan saw him get home on the nod in a slow 36.31.
On form and final draw, Swift Magnum looks the one to beat.
The two marathon semi finals each produced an odds-on favourite though they suffered very different fates.
First up was Mustang Golden (4-7f) being tested over the longest distance of his 11 race career. Followers were presumably expecting a strong front running performance but would he stay?
In fact, Paul Young’s runner barely got going. Janoan (T6) led early, before Droopys Zebo took up the running with the favourite back in fourth place with a circuit to run. The eventual winner Droopys Lucinda – a sister of the great Millwards Teddy – came from last to first and prevailed by just under two lengths in 47.94 for the 750m.
On her previous outing at the track Droopys Cottage had taken a while to get into her stride before switching up two gears and winning with ease. This time out the 2-7f found herself trailing 20-1 shot Savana Logan until the latter stages. Despite being bumped, lumped and checked at various stages the quality runner came through to win by a couple in 47.60.
