Connections of half of the Golden Jacket finalists made their way home together from Crayford this afternoon.
Paul Young was in the driver’s seat as the trainer of Malls Pride and Millwards Amy.
His passenger Steve Fluin, head of the Champagne Syndicate was arguably in the hot seat as joint owner of fastest qualifier Bubbly Time (45.09).
Fluin said: “She ran well after being given plenty of room by the two, and once she led she was never going to be caught.
“It was disappointing to see the poor four (Droopys Marian) being injured but I don’t think it affected the result in any way.
“Its very exciting to have one in the final after all these years. We thought we had once race back in 1998 when Bubbly Princess, was, I thought unfairly, disqualified.
“Mario Lanfranchi was awarded the race but gave us the trophy, which is the only one I ever kept.
“It will be fun to be up against Youngy. Bubbly Time is our only runner not with him, but Lee Gifkins sourced Bubbly Time (formerly Festival Time) so it was only right that we kept her with him and Tony (trainer).
“Millwards Amy is owned by Mitch (Millward) and Paul owns Malls Pride himself, though I think he is looking to syndicate him before the final and keep a share.
“Bubbly Time has 100 owners though I am not sure how many will make it to the track on a winter Tuesday night for the final.
“But she only cost £9,000 to buy, plus training expenses so everyone is having a good run for their money.”
Draw for the Final
1) Racenight Jenny 1-1f
2) Black Francis 5-1
3) Bubbly Time 5-2
4) Wiki Waki Woo 8-1
5) Millwards Amy (M) 16-1
6) Malls Pride (W) 12-1
