Tonight’s feature meeting comes from Romford where the track stage the finals of the (Cat 1) Essex Vase and the (Cat 2) Silver Maiden.
The Essex Vase is a rare event being synonymous with the same stadium for more than 80 years. Although the management flirted with staging the Vase over the shorter distance, it is traditionally Romford’s senior six-bend competition.
Tonight’s Vase final has more than met the standard expected of such a highly rated and much loved event.
A quality final that any racing manager would struggle to grade any tighter. Six railers and a multitude of possible scenarios. On semi final form, it is Aayamza Sydney‘s to lose. His 13.44 sectional is the quickest in the line-up and his calculated 34.70 in his semi final would win most major 575 finals at the track. But it isn’t quite that simple.
John Mullins’ runner isn’t the quickest breaker and although he managed to cut across his field to seize a first bend lead, Roxys Bullet could prove to be a blue brindle barrier. Although he won his semi final, his sectional time was way off his best. If he was to repeat his 13.39 from the first round, the favourite possibly struggles to get a run early on – albeit he does have enough class to rally from mid division.
That was the scenario that Romeo Hotshot had to deal with in that first semi final. Dominant off the front, a repeat of his first round form
Havana Top Note is in the form of his life but has never raced from the orange box before. In fact his only run from trap four resulted in defeat – albeit in very good company. How does he get a run? What happens if the inside three tangle? Or does he become part of the ruck?
If there is trouble, then the ladies in four and six are both capable of 35.30 form and could benefit.
All things considered, Aayamza Sydney is the selection, though not a bet at 7/4. Havana Top Note is trading at 10/3 followed by 7/2 Romeo Hotshot, 7/1 Queen Georgia, 16/1 Roxys Bullet and 20/1 Queen Georgia.
Pape Di Oro is trading at even money favourite for the Silver Maiden Final. On all known form, he is the classiest animal in the race. He finished runner-up in the Classic at Sunderland and also contested the All England Cup Final.
All of which seems rather short odds for a dog running at a distance short of his best and with just one win from nine. He will move sharply to rail which could play into the hands of the sole wide runner Droopys Swanky. Gemma Evans’ runner looks far better value at 11/4.
They even 1/1 Pape Di Oro, 11/4 Droopys Swanky, 11/2 Droopys Cando, 10/1 Leaha Salha, 16/1 Tip Toe Along, 18/1 Mineola Chance
Apologies once again for the slightly less comprehensive Round Ups this week. Our internet service has now been unavailable for a full seven days. Although we have back-up options in place, we have been unable to produce the column in its fullest form.
