Ratings and Analysis by Pete Walker
The limelight now moves on to Harlow for their only category one competition of the year which is the Gold Cup sponsored by Tigerloanscompany.com over the six bends covering 592m. It is also worth £8,000 to the winner. All the heat favourites ensured qualification although only two won their respective races. I have compiled comparative ratings with the top three from each race indicated below as well as the overall top six of the semi-finalists with best prices available at the time of writing.
1st Semi-Final
T3 (R) – 162: Roswell Romanov
T1 (R) – 160+: Bubbly Tempest
T2 (R) – 102: Holdem Bernado
2nd Semi-Final
T3 (R) – 196: Rubys Razzle
T5 (M) – 185: Bubbly Torpedo
T2 (R) – 127: Queen Charlotte
3rd Semi-Final
T6 (M) – 190: Carnegie
T1 (R) – 166: Garryglass Champ
T3 (R) – 125: Coolykereen Rake
Top 6
(196): Rubys Razzle (5/1)
(190): Carnegie (16/1)
(185): Bubbly Torpedo (6/1)
(166): Garryglass Champ (14/1)
(162): Roswell Romanov (10/3)
(160+): Bubbly Tempest (14/1)
Ratings based on a maximum of 200 reflect only recent performances over the course and distance. Track conditions at the time of racing may affect future performances of course. There were 9 railers, 7 middle and 2 wides who qualified for the second round. Roswell Romanov is slightly higher in the ratings above Bubbly Tempest (14/1) who showed tremendous acceleration after a steady break to get up and win her heat and can only improve on that performance. The second semi-final involves the top-rated Rubys Razzle (5/1) who will face a stiff challenge from Bubbly Torpedo but been on the inside of that runner may prove decisive. The last semi-final involves three winners and two seconds in the heats so it may be wise to side with Carnegie (16/1) who is likely to blaze a trail again. He ran out of steam in his heat but was running over six bends instead of his more recent four bend exploits and at the front of affairs should be an advantage. The final is on 18th April and covered by RPGTV’s regular Tuesday night slot.
Congratulations to Carl Perry and his team in winning the ‘Coors Three Steps to Victory’ with Geelo Sapphire last week at Sheffield. It was also their first ever runner in a category one event to boot. It’s a unique competition with many incalculable factors to take into account but that is part of its appeal no doubt. However it does illustrate never to underestimate a greyhound that is capable of poaching an early lead.
