The Coral Coronation Cup began life at Southend and switched to Romford when the former closed in 1985. (Wembley hosted the ‘Coronation Cup’). Traditionally, one of the first events in the Calendar, the first Stakes winner at the new venue was Ken Linzell’s locally trained Hannahs Champion on 7 Janaury 1986.
For many years, the ‘Coronation’ was the poor relation of the Essex Vase and Champion Stakes. But this year, for the time time, it has Category One status.
Punters may note the presence of five females and a male in the line-up, though it is interesting that last year’s winner Baby Bullet, was the first bitch to take the event since 2006.
+ With the 225m sectional forming the natural split time, we asked Mark Pierrepont to produce digitally calculated times to a mark at the first bend.
I’ll take the inside thank you! Queen Pink (T1) taking the lead in her semi final has the opportunity to repeat her semi final front running domination from a similar draw.
Queen Pink has one philosophy in racing, ‘catch me if you can’. She has six wins in eight races over course and distance, the only defeats coming when she has failed to lead. It could be argued that her racing record is better than shown, since as a British bred, she has performed her whole career in open race company.
Super consistent she has the fastest ‘dash’ in the first round (4.42) followed by 4.44 in the semis. Her offical sectionals support those clocks. She has won her last three races when drawn trap one; her last red jacketed defeat was running Romeo Commander to a length over 500m at Towcester!
Pink has a best actual time of 34.97 and a best calculated of 35.04. That might not be as flashy as some, but catching her and getting past her will not be easy. A 5-2 second favourite and value at that.
With less than half a lap to go in the heats, Aayamza Magic (T3) is battling for third spot in the heats. In fact, he will pick up Bonjour Bullet (T4) to take second
Aayamza Magic seems to have lost a little of his mojo since winning the Essex Vase, though that may be harsh since he has twice met the favourite on the way to the final.
He was a little unlucky in the heats when ‘in the ruck’ at the first bend (4.51) and was only two spots slower than his kennelmate at the same stage in the semis (4.44).
Magic doesn’t lack ability but doesn’t run the bends as well as some and looks an unlikely leader. He came through a quality field to win the Vase on a slow track. But he would need fortune on his side to pick his way through this group and still break 35.00, which will almost certainly be a minimum requirement. As a result, his pre-race price of 6-1 seems spot on.
Check the wing mirrors! Bonjour Bullet (T1) comes off the last bend in her semi final with challengers aplenty.
On heat form, Bonjour Bullet looks well held by the favourite. In the first round, she popped away in front (4.44) and led for over a circuit but was reeled in an backpedalling when third to the two Wallis runners.
Belinda Green’s hound produced the fastest run to the bend of all the semi finalists (4.39) and enjoyed another clear run, but was struggling to hold off the field in the latter stages.
The 575 is at the very end of Bullet’s range but she has sub 35.00 form and given her early pace, can never be discounted. She is currently trading at 6-1, a similar price to the dog with whom she shared a photo finish in the first round qualifier, Aayamza Magic.
Antigua Sugar (T6) challenging Aayamza Magic (T2) for the lead in the semi finals. Within the next few paces she will go two lengths clear.
Chasing a seven timer and with three of the five fastest times over course and distance this year (Romeo Topgun’s 34.66 is quickest), Antigua Sugar breaks 34.80 for fun.
Amanda Jeal’s runner has the lot, she can lead, she can stay, and she runs the bends as fast as the straights. She came off a 4.52 dash, and 13.54 to win her heat. She then produced a 4.42/13.35 run in the semi finals.
The draw in four is not ideal, but it did her no harm in the Bussey Memorial. She is the even money favourite and every inch a top class greyhound.
Going into the fifth bend in the semi finals, Peejays Forever (T6) has her work cut out to take the second qualification slot.
A very moderate break saw Peejays Forever clock a pedestrian 4.55 first bend clock in the opening round. She looked no less likely to qualify a lap later, but rallied strongly.
Her second run bore a close resemblance to the first, a 4.47 ‘dash’ followed by a moderate 13.62 split. At the fifth bend, the turbo kicked in once again and she watch catching Bonjour Bullet with every stride on the run in.
Peejays has two wins over course and distance in ten outings and that is reflected in her 20-1 quote. Whatever the result on the night, connections might just be considering tacking on a few extra metres.
10-1 chance Butdarewasfour (T6) is about to lose the lead to Romeo On Tilt (T1) and Sweet Talker (T2) in the first round. But she’s the one who made the final.
With 80 races on her card, including 35 in Romford S1 company, Gemma Evans’ Butdarewasfour represents ‘proven form’ in the final.
That track knowledge almost got her home in the opener (4.45 dash) before she was picked up and beaten a length and a half on merit. In the semi finals, she was half a length adrift of Queen Pink at the first bend (4.44/4.48), but had lost a couple of lengths by the time they passed the 225m mark, and another couple a circuit later.
At 33-1 she is the rank outsider but what a great occasion for connections who will collect (a minimum) £1,000 just for turning up.
