There were six winning favourites in the first round of the Coral Sussex Cup though racing manager Jeff Piper doesn’t think punters will find life quite as simple in the semi finals.
Fastest on the night was Ower Boy Bullet with a 29.57 run, a time only bettered only once this year – by King Turbo (29.52). The winner of a Limerick €3,000 stake in 28.33 earlier this year, June Harvey’s runner remains unbeaten in Britain with a 3/3 record at Hove. The calibre of the run can also be compared against track mates Sporting Dave (29.78) and Brinkleys Poet (29.79).
Piper said: “The draws worked out well for the leading fancies. Ower Boy Bullet’s run didn’t come as any real surprise, given how well he had run in his previous two races. I thought Trade Fudge was ‘workmanlike’, as was Karlow Scolar. Sporting Dave just got the better of Clash.
“Calico Ranger ran brilliantly to come from last place. But you do kind of expect that from him. With so much early pace still in the competition that could work in his favour in getting to the final.
“I was very impressed with Brinkleys Poet. He didn’t come away particularly well but showed very good early pace to lead. Although he was fading late on, he had progressed quite a bit from his trial and I would expect to see even more from him in the semi finals.”
