The KSS Syndicate kicked off 2024 in the same vibrant form that they ended 2023 (they landed four Cat Ones in December) with Havana Top Note clocing the fastest first round heat of the Coral Essex Vase.
Trainer Mark Wallis’ concerns about the draw for ante post favourite New Destiny were upheld when she found trouble from the inside slot and she was eliminated from heat four.
Beaten Gold Collar favourite Aayzamza Sydney had set a good standard in the opening heat when beating the KSS’s evens favourite Queen Georgia in 35.02.
Locals won half the heats with Maxine Locke’s 10/1 shot Bonville Jet was only a neck slower when landing a messy heat three. It was a career best performance following 13 consecutive defeats.
Romeo Hotshot – advertised for sale on the same day – was just a head slower for David Mullins in heat five.
Singalong Stacey made a winning debut for Katie O’Flaherty in heat 2 which would prove the slowest of the six qualifiers.
The last of the qualifiers saw Seamus Cahill’s Never Say No turn over Queen Dusty in 35.28. She was KSS’s third runner-up on the night.
Essex Vase and Silver Maiden semi finals
Kev has six appeal at Oxford
This afternoon’s British Bred Puppy Cup semi finals at Oxford are dominated by Kevin Hutton who provides 50% of the runners having sent out 100% of the first round runners.
No winners feature from the first round in the easier of the qualifiers but an unlucky loser in Keefill Maverick. Phil Milner’s runner still looks tremendously green – as might be expected in an 18 month old British bred male – and should be good enough. His danger appears to be litter brother Keefill Goose, also expected to improve. Both will relish every metre and more. Sel 3-1-2
The tougher of the qualifiers featuring all the winners. Romeo Cypher came into the event as a serious player but blew up in the later stages. It could happen again, but if he produces another 26.78 run, it probably won’t matter.
The most impressive winner was Coppice Ella who showed tremendous trackcraft and courage. Would probably beat Cypher in a match race but her lack of experience makes her a tough call. Union Blitz showed a tendency to move to middle when winning her heat, while sister Dreamin Bea went a straighter line. Sel 3-4-1
Witch of the 12?
The Arena Company Cesarewitch reaches its semi final stages this evening and the quality on show is more than befitting an event with such a rich history.
Given last week’s wet weather, the track was in excellent condition for the first round and after taking in the size of the circuit, there were very few hard luck stories.
The opening semi final features three of last week’s four winners and a glimpse at the column furthest right would suggest this is a finely balanced match between the blue and white traps.
Ela Maestro has five wins in eight races since joining Chris Hamblin from Peter Cronin. That record rises to 5:6 once he was moved into staying company. He was almost flawless last week, trapping level but then outrunning the opposition to the turn. His 16.58 sectional was 18 spots quicker than anything else on the day.
Ballymac Taylor put in a taylor made performance in her qualifier. After letting Jacktavern Magic and Capel Rose do their best, she moved serenely from third place with the result never in doubt. She only has 12 spots to find on Maestro and should get a decent run on the rail behind Rose and Maestro. This may be well short of her optimum but providing she avoids bad luck, she looks guaranteed a jacket in the final.
Gutsy Jet was similarly flawless in his heat, and that is the issue. He could hardly have run a more perfect race but the clock is his enemy. A pursuer with more trackcraft than Coonough Crow would have reeled him in before fading late which allowed Bubbly Scorcher to seize the opportunity with Alright Gordy taking third. Both Jet and Gordy will have to find many lengths to qualify and both appear out of their depth.
The fly in the ointment is the magnificent Bellmore Sally. Neil McGregor’s brindle was never seen with a chance behind Maestro last week.
Connections will be hoping that she can repeat her transformation of the 2023 Golden Jacket after scraping through the first round and then obliterating the opposition in semis and final. But at this stage of her career, and with early pace on either side, it looks a huge ask. Sel 3-2-1
Mark Wallis, trainer of ante post favourite Garfiney Blaze, expressed his concerns about his chances in the second semi final following the trap draw.
In last week’s heat, he was drawn on the inside of Bradys Bullet who steered a middle course to give the favourite a clear run on the rail. If Belinda Green’s Monmore Puppy Derby winner repeats the same manouvre today – he is far from a nailed-on railer – the prospect of “cwdd run up” looks a distinct possibility. Mark would snap your hand off for a guaranteed third place qualification.
The other two Wallis runners look much more likely to obtain clear runs on the outside. Mad For Sterling lost the length and a half he was beaten by El Maestro in first bend crowding. A fully fit Challenge Cup runner-up could make a big impression here.
Jacktavern Magic literally runs his own course. Wide. He barely sees out the trip given he runs a larger radius than the opposition. While the Paul Young littermates Bubbly Scorcher and Bubbly Inferno, represent the stamina in the line-up. Sel 5-1-2
