By Rob Abrey
The Coronation Cup starts tonight and with £5,000 up for grabs for the winner and the final live on Sky Sports on Wednesday 11th January, it has attracted a strong field. Recent Essex Vase winner Bubbly Torpedo returns to make it two Sky Sports victories from two and renews his rivalry with the prolific Romford winning Roswell Romanov. There are several fresh faces in the competition determined to claim gold for their connections. As ever I have found out more about some of the new comers.
Central Park trainer Ricky Holloway has created a bit of a stir with his two entries of Razldazl Valiant and Boylesports Duke. The Irish raiders are now in his care and after two qualifying trials, have put them straight into a top class event for their first ever races on these shores. The two however have been pitted against each other in the first heat at 7.47pm. The highly regarded Boylesports Duke has already shown his credentials with an impressive calculated trial time of 24.07 over 400 metres for a first look around the Essex venue. His kennelmate Razldazl Valiant looks the weaker of the two and sponsors Corals antepost prices of 8/1 for Duke and 25/1 for Valiant reflect this.
Trainer Ricky Holloway on them said “I’m a bit disappointed they are in the same heat but feel they can both qualify. They have both settled in really well and are raring to go.
“With these two in the kennels and with some others coming through this will be the strongest team I’ve ever had. Entering the pair of them adds a different angle as they were unexpected and they could throw a spanner in the works against some of the usual entries”.
On Boylesports Duke, Holloway said: “He will be with us for a while and we will target the staying races with him. After the Coronation cup he will be going for the Golden Jacket.
“His first trial at Romford was stunning. He trialled just after Bubbly Torpedo who won the Essex Vase recently and was 18 spots faster which is fantastic for a first look round. He will get the 575 metres at Romford”.
On kennelmate Razldazl Valiant he said: “She is primarily over here for the springbok but is very classy over the flat and 100% genuine. In the summer she won at Shelbourne over 686 metres and beat Kent St Leger winner Jimbobjoe. Her trials were also very good and she will get the trip as she has won over longer in Ireland.”
Towcester trainer Kevin Hutton has entered a couple of greyhounds yet to run around the Essex track and if taking to the venue could go far into the competition. Memphis Mafia is first up in heat three at 8.18pm followed by Office Flirt in heat four at 8.34pm.
On Memphis Mafia Kevin Hutton said: “The track should suit him. We have taken many a dog to Romford without a trial first and they have done well. He is a good little dog and recently won the Cesarewitch over 550 metres at Henlow. Entering him for the Coronation cup at Romford afterwards was an obvious choice.
“He is better in front but doesn’t have to lead to qualify. “
On Office Flirt in the following heat he said: “We were going to enter her for the Essex Vase but opted for the Oaks at Belle Vue instead. The 575 metres trip should suit her. She has won over 655 metres at Towcester so the distance will not be a problem. She is very versatile but will have to work from behind with her back running style. She could well pinch a place in the final due to running on strong and picking off the early pace types.
“It’s an open competition if you take the first couple in the betting market out of the running. There are lots of interesting dogs which should make it a really good competition”.
Swindon raider Moreton Volare trained by John Spracklen is being given a baptism of fire in his first race at Romford by being pitted against track specialist Roswell Romanov. In heat five at 8.50pm, the April ’13 whelp looks like the six bend trip will suit him down to the ground and after a top grade win at Swindon on Boxing Day comes into the competition in fine fettle.
Swindon bookmaker Dave Clarke on Moreton Volare said: “He won a top graded race on Boxing Day. He flashed out and led all the way with the time being quite good. He beat Snaffi Magic who is a good dog and runs on strong and she couldn’t get to him.
“He is a pacey dog and should not be underestimated. Roswell Romanov aside if he leads it will take a good dog to beat him. Once in front he keeps pulling and he will get the 575 trip off the front. He does have a tendency to cut in at the bends so if not in front may cause some scrimmaging.
“He was out for a couple of week with a minor injury but has come back with a top grade win and looks sharp for it. I would say he will not win the competition but you never know.”
