Roxholme Nidge clocked the fastest semi final of the Romford Puppy Cup and confirmed to the kennel that he isn’t ‘a Romford dog’!
The 400m track record breaker was made to work hard for his victory after being led to the third bend by the impressive Headford Kev but then went on to win by two lengths in 23.64 (+10).
Assistant trainer Mark Keightley said: “I know some people will think I am mad but Nidge isn’t really suited by the track. Put him up against the real speed merchants and he has to rely on his class to get him through. It is one thing when he gets the chance to lead, but he certainly isn’t a track specialist. Nidge is more of a 500 yard dog, than a 400 yarder, in my opinion. I think around somewhere like Monmore last night, he could have won by eight.
“I thought Kevin’s dog (Headford Kev), ran a cracking race and really came on in the competition. I can’t complain about the draw but ideally I would have preferred three or four to enable him to sweep the bend. Thankfully, he has shown himself to be a consistent trapper so hopefully he can repeat that next week.”
The opening heat was a messy affair with 16-1 shot Sneezys Flo escaping first bend trouble with half the field KO’d. Odds-on favourite King Elvis overcame a slow start and a hefty whack to be beaten almost nine lengths in 23.97. It was only the fourth defeat of Elvis’ 16 race career.
SNEEZYS FLO (16-1 winner for Dave Mullins) is left clear following a first bend melee in the opening Puppy Cup semi final.
Photo: © Steve Nash
The last qualifier saw the elimination of favourite Headford Octane in a race won by Phil Simmonds’ 6-1 chance Miss Boley from Foxwood Boom who became the first ‘Cat 1’ finalist for owner and trainer Mark Fenwick. The winner’s time was 24.01.
MISS BOLEY (t1) leads into the third bend from Foxwood Boom (t2) in the third Puppy Cup semi. Photo: © Steve Nash
Coral betting: 4-7f Roxholme Nidge, 10-1 King Elvis, 5-1 Headford Kev, 16-1 Miss Boley, Sneezys Flo, 25-1 Foxwood Boom
