On a night of surprises, which saw a record jackpot of over £140,000 carry-over to Hall Green’s Prestige card in a few weeks’ time, Soviet Kenny put the final nail in the coffin for jackpot punters when landing the Coronation Cup Final over 575 metres at Romford writes Jason Craddock.
There were two full units going onto the favourite Adageo Bob, with 50p running on three of the other runners, with nothing staked on hometown Day and Soviet Kenny.
Soviet Kenny flew out of the traps but those with the tickets on the favourite were probably counting their money as Adageo Bob was plenty close enough a length behind with a lap to run.
However John Mullins’ runner stuck to his guns and held Bob by half a length with Farneys Cookie a fast finishing third.
Mullins said afterwards: The dog was a Puppy Classic finalist and a Champion Stakes finalist and has a touch of class.
“He cut off Adageo Bob at the top bend and held on well.
“The dog will revert to four bends now and probably go for the Arc and then the Derby.”
Teejays Panther looks a natural for the Monmore Puppy Derby after taking the Get Connected With the Coral Card Puppies over 400 metres.
The market leaders Lenson Jed and See No Gamble both slept in the traps and it was left to Poole runner Aimnfire to bowl along in front.
However Teejays Panther, who was in the wars at the opening turn, flew down the back straight to go second and came home strongly to catch the leader close home and score in 24.29sec.
He looks like he will be better suited by a longer trip as he powered clear to the pick-up.
Winning owners Terry Nichols said: “He’s only a baby and did the job well.”
Burgess Borna was only a couple of lengths off the track record when slamming her rivals in the Coral Backs Children with Cancer Uk Marathon over 925 metres.
Tony Gifkins’ Bubbly Time led until halfway before John Mullins’ bitch pulled right away from her rivals to eventually beat a staying on Supreme Rossie by just over nine lengths in 58.80sec.
Part owner Lee Calcott said: “I thought Bubbly Time would win when she led but our bitch keeps surprising us and did it in style in the end.”
Fred The Pilot proved a jackpot buster (over £140,000 staked) for many punters in the Bet With Coral Online, On Mobile and In Shop Standard over 400 metres.
Carla Hendy’s runner, a 10-1 shot, blasted clear from traps and was never challenged, eventually beating Bubbly Rocket in 24.11sec.
Hendy, who only recently took out her license after working as a kennelhand for Joe Scanlon and John Lambe, said: “He’s been running well at Perry Barr and always bangs out. I knew he had a chance.”
Evanta Fantasy made it a treble of Romford wins when successful in the Play The Coral Football Jackpot Standard over 400 metres.
Mark Wallis’s bitch was soon clear and went on to beat Express Max in 23.76sec.
Wallis said afterwards: “She fabulous around here, this is her track and has a terrific record here.”
Fivestar Clipper took advantage of his wide draw to land the Download Coral From The App Store Stayers Stakes over 575 metres.
The favourite Blonde Razor didn’t come away and found early trouble as the pace was set by Kerries Choice but Fivestar Clipper was always handy and led with a lap to go to beat Farley Rio in 35.26sec.
Knight said afterwards: “The dog likes a tight track and we may take him to Crayford next for a race over 540 metres.
“From the front he may get the Golden Jacket trip of 714 metres so we will see how he handles the track.”
Kokcha Blue was another surprise winner of the Visit Coral.co.uk Bitches Stakes over 400 metres.
Heather Dimmock’s runner flew out the traps and went clear from the first turn. The favourite Aayamzaone tried her best to close the gap but there was still a length to spare at the line. The winner clocked 24.22sec.
Assistant trainer Mick Pacey said: “The dogs in the kennel are in great form and when he led round was always going to be difficult to beat.”
Another favourite Vanrooney bit the dust in the Coral Home of the Price Bomb Marathon over 750 metres.
Local runner Flawless Floyd set a cracking pace and looked to have stolen it at halfway but Rearguard Bond came through on the inside to get up close home and score in 47.00sec.
His trainer John Bond said afterwards: “He will probably go for the Golden Jacket at Crayford. He probably prefers a longer run to the turn but the trip will be perfect.”
