Wouldn’t the Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Final make the ultimate graded race?
When the six runners go to traps for Tuesday’s £17,500 decider at Crayford, punters can contemplate that:
– the outsider of the sextet, Piemans Jet, will be looking to complete a five-timer
– the fastest semi finalist (sectional and winning time) Cincinatti will be trading at around 5-1
– three of the line-up have already won Cat 1 finals
. . . basically, it is a race in which you can make genuine claims for all six finalists.
Heat 1 – Quickest on the clock was Towcester S1 regular Cincinnati who dominated a qualifier from three kennelmates. Although Roswell Romanov was destined to fade to last, it was Rubys Rascal who surged into the second qualifying place in the 85th race of his career to give breeder Ian Greaves the forecast.
It was a race to be a forecast and not a tricast punter!
Heat 2 – The second qualifier was a tight event with a second consecutive favourite narrowly eliminated. It went to the in-form Piemans Jet who seized the early initiative and held on gamely. The real stayers came to the fore in the latter stages with Goldies Hotspur short heading Dinnington Lady for a place in the final.
Who needs graded racing when the first five home are covered by less than three lengths?
PIEMANS JET (t5) hangs on to land the second Golden Jacket semi final from Goldies Hotspur (t4) and Dinnington Lady (t6). Photo: © Steve Nash
Heat 3 featured the two fastest qualifiers, both qualified, but in very different styles. For Shotgun Bullet, it was domination from the front. For Mrs Roo, it was a case of showing she has all the attributes to come through her field and deny Mark Wallis a third finalist by a fawn neck.
SHOTGUN BULLET (t5) wins the third Golden Jacket semi final by seven lengths with Mrs Ro (t4 left of pic) about to get up late to grab the crucial runner up spot from Kiltrea Mike (t1). Photo: © Steve Nash
Sponsor’s betting on the final: 5-4 Shotgun Bullet, 4-1 Goldies Hotspur, 5-1 Cincinatti, Mrs Roo, 14-1 Piemans Bullet
Mark Wallis (Cincinatti and Rubys Rascal) said: “What a fantastic final. You have a mixture of running styles, early pace, middle and strong stayers and lots of class performers. Shotgun Bullet looks a worthy favourite, particularly because the going was so much slower for his race.
“As far as our two are concerned, I think they are drawn the right way around. Cincinnati has great early pace but has to lead to have any chance. If he doesn’t come away, he will probably finish last. He broke a bone in his elbow when he first joined us and it held up his career; so is probably only just coming to his best.He is probably ‘just’ an S1 grader at Towcester in most people’s view, but as we already know, that form is incredibly solid.
“Rubys Rascal is thoroughly battle hardened and in his fifth Category One final, of which he has already won two. I thought he was unlucky in the semi finals last year where the going went against him. He then won on final night in 44.87. He has been laid off with this race in mind and should be spot on for the final. The draw suits him fine.”
Derek Knight (Shotgun Bullet) said: “I would have preferred to be drawn further out than three. He has won from three, I would have been much more concerned with one or two. But you get what you get with four middle seeds, so just get on with it. Obviously, to have any chance, he has to come away. But he has come off fine after the semi finals and we will have no excuses.”
Simon Harms (Mrs Roo) said: “I thought she ran a blinder in the heats when she had things her own way and in the semis it was the first time that she had been among dogs early. I don’t think she liked it, but credit to her, she battled away and despite being forced wide ran on really well to qualify. Unlike some in the field, she is an out-and-out stayer who would love another two bends. To do anything, she will have to come away at her best and hope for a clear run. To be honest, I hope they all get a clear run, that is how finals should be. We backed her at 100-1 ante post for big money and even by making the final she has already returned her purchase price. She is Tom Steadman’s only runner and we are going to enjoy the day.”
David Mullins (Piemans Jet) said: “I think the race has a worthy favourite in Shotgun Bullet. We always thought ours was decent but she had a few problems along the way. She needs to lead to win it, and is possibly the only one in the field who can lead the favourite. If she does, you never know, it is a hard track to pass. I am particularly pleased for the owner, Jim Parker (Piemans Racing Club). He has runners in all grades and puts a lot into the game.”
Patrick Janssens (Goldies Hotspur) said: “Shotgun Bullet is the one they all have to beat but I think we can give him a run. Basically, I think if every dog was to have a solo, our bitch is the fastest. That is not being arrogant, it is just what I believe. She has a 23.98 sectional at Romford and did 28.04 for 480m at Towcester and we know she is at her best on the second lap.
“It is all about getting a clear run and if she could break at her best and follow Shotgun Bullet around the bend it would be ‘game on’. She can come away better than she has done so far and is in the form of her life.”
