Favourite Destiny of the Coronation Cup?
There would be a strong temptation to suggest that whoever led at the first bend would probably win tonight’s Coral Coronation Cup Final at Romford. They might.
The reality is, last year’s winner, Antigua Sugar “W,ChlFr4-Ld5”. The previous winner, Baby Bullet “Rls,ChlFr5-LdRnIn”. The 2020 winner Antigua Rum “SAw,Bmp1,Crd2,Ld6”.
All of which should give punters some confidence in following likely odds-on favourite New Destiny in this year’s decider. When she does this – as she did from trap one in the first round, nobody can question her ability.
However, the reality is, thorughout her 25 race career, the MWD runner struggled if she couldn’t dominate from the front, she was vulnerable. But then last week, she did this.
At her best, the 28.86 Towcester (500) winner, who also boasts a 44.89 for Crayford’s eight bend trip, is a 34.80s runner. If anything in the field can better that – and run around her to do so – they will deserve the title.
The draw would seem to suit the favourite, with last week’s runner-up Untold Paanga again drawn on her outside. Indeed, he might actually do her a favour as an obstruction to the next two in the betting.
Miami Bullet produced his quickest sectional to date when landing his semi final. He was only half a length slower than the Wallis runner last week. Whether she could give him a start and a beating is debatable.
The same rings true for the similarly priced Cooladerry Dust who did this last week. Though with only two wins in 15 races, this looks his toughest test to date. Sel 1-3-4
Betting Guide: 4/6 New Destiny, 4/1 Cooladerry Dust, Miami Bullet, 14/1 Untold Paanga, 16/1 Joes Sagar, 22/1 Tromora Rex
Full card – click ‘Romford’ link in ‘Opens’ below
Puppy title in Ruble’s ARC
Sunderland’s ARC Puppy Trophy has launched the careers of a number of future stars including Brookside Richie, Glenvale Bill and Arkady (all of whom were beaten final favourites!). This year, boosted by a £1,500 boost in prize money, the overall quality is the best ever.
Ante post: 2/1 Untold Ruble, 5/1 March On Freddie, 8/1 Droopys Extragud, Untold Quetzal, 12/1 Keefill Maverick, 14/1 Golden Bullet, Keefill Rocky, Madabout Peck, 16/1 Witton Echo, 22/1 Brindle Bully, Kranky Tom, 28/1 Golden Wind, No Better Feelin, 33/1 Itallabouted, Newinn Souly, Slingshot Ali, Witton Margaret 50/1 Easy Mcgregor, Golden Acre, 66/1 My Friend John, Onlyinthejockey, Toddys Tonic, 80/1 Newinn Sassy, 200/1 Crystal Shard
Tonight’s first round:
Heat 1 – The ante post favourite Untold Ruble goes in heat one and is impossible to oppose. He preparation has been meticulous. He has had four sighters of the course, including one race which he won in 27.00. He also has a stunning 27.25 (FOY) run on his card for Doncaster’s equivalent distance. 3-1-2
Heat 2 – There are always turn-ups in puppy events and this looks an extremely competitive heat. The 28.98 line of form at Hove, backed up by a fast trial over course and distance, sees March On Freddie as the likely favourite. He is clearly a very fast pup. Whether he is a Sunderland ‘type’ remains to be seen, though the empty box can only help his cause. Keefil Maverick is a 26.60 Oxford winner and if he steps up on his trial, it would be no surprise. However, Jill Sutherst’s Witton Echo looks the best drawn in the line up and also has the early pace to lead all the way. 1-5-2
Heat 3 – There will be most attention on the inside trio in here and it looks a fairly safe bet that whoever leads by the second bend will take all the beating. The inside pair are virtually impossible to separate and with only nine races between them, previous form is of very limited use. The hesitant selection is Untold Quetzal based primarily on his having had one extra look at the circuit. 2-1-5
Heat 4 – The weakest of the four heats with seven wins between the six runners. Although he has only won once in 11 races, that qualifies Madabout Peck as the most experienced in the field and he has generally been competiting in higher quality. No Better Feelin will be running on. 5-1-2
M1 delays – next weekend onwards
Trainers and racegoers heading south to Towcester on the M1 are warned of delays at Junction 18 ‘the Crick’ turn-off. There will be full closure of the motorway starting next Friday June 21. Full details
Honours for ‘Sheryl’
COONOUGH CROW is the Time Greyhound Nutrition Greyhound of the Month for May.
Trained by Mark Wallis for the MWD Partnership, the top-class stayer won the £10,000 Ladbrokes Kent Leger at Crayford and was unbeaten during the month with a trio of successes at the Kent track followed by wins at Towcester and Romford.
Coonough Crow, who next runs in the heats of the Mark Siddall Prime Beef Memorial over 712m at Towcester on Sunday, edged out fellow nominees King Memphis (Liz McNair), Queen Georgia (Liz McNair), Rioja Bungle (Kevin Hutton), Swords Rex (Graham Holland) and The Other Kobe (Graham Holland).
OPENS
Friday: Romford ♦ Sunderland
Saturday: Central Park ♦ Doncaster ♦ Oxford ♦ Towcester ♦ Yarmouth
