PRIME TIME landed local trainer Philip Simmonds a second Category One success in the space of a fortnight as Prime Time made all in the Coral Essex Vase final for his owner/breeder Bryan Turner and his wife Betty.

Following on from Grays Cup Winner’s success in the Puppy Cup, it was the turn of kennelmate Prime Time to break quickly in the £10,000 decider and hold off the challenging Sporting Dave and favourite Brigadier Bullet to score in 35.34sec (+15).

A 13.51sec split paved the way for the victory, but last year’s Oaks semi-finalist had to keep her form well after Sussex Cup champion Sporting Dave (Seamus Cahill) looked to pass at the third and fifth bends, before Prime Time went on to win by over three lengths.

Sent to Simmonds’ Cambridgeshire base by Turner just before the 575m competition, the oldest runner in the competition settled in quickly at her new base and, from the moment she trapped in front and made all in the heats at Romford, they never looked back.

“I felt she’d just gone stale, and probably needed freshening up,” said Turner afterwards, “but the main reason was to ease the pressure off us on the travelling. I’m in my 80s now and just felt Philip would do a great job – and he has!

“Funnily enough when I called him to ask him whether he’d take a new dog into his kennel, Philip said he was full up! But when I explained who she was, her form and what she meant to us, he promised to make space and did.”

Simmonds added: “I must have known Bryan for 30 years so I’m delighted for him and Betty. It’s been a good few weeks off us and, once again, I must thank my staff who do such a fantastic job. We’ve got to think about the Coronation Cup now next month.”

Owner and breeder Turner, joined by his wife Betty and kennelhand Ben Lewis at Romford on Friday, recalled how it had been a long wait since his last major successes as an owner, with the Ken Linzell-trained Foretop winning the Arc in 1988.

The year before the Turners won the Grand Prix at Walthamstow with Nick Savva’s Olivers Wish, while Long Spell and Squire Cass, both greyhounds trained by Terry Dartnall, were two other former stars of the track he was associated with.

Among the first to congratulate Turner was Romford trainer Paul Young, who worked for Ken Linzell at the time of Foretop’s success. “Bryan and the other Turner brothers were major players during the time. We had some great times – Bryan is a gentleman and I’m delighted for him and Betty.”

Mark Arkell, who was recently confirmed as Romford’s new racing manager taking over soon-to-retire Peter O’Dowd, congratulated the Simmonds team for a second Category One success at the Essex venue in the space of two weeks.

“Prime Time seemed to get better as the event progressed, and always had a chance if she broke ahead of Sporting Dave,” he said. “She was very game in front and it’s a great story given Bryan (Turner) bred her as well from his own bitch Story Time.”

On his own position now as RM, Arkell, who cut his teeth under Chris Page at Walthamstow before joining Romford, added: “I’m very proud to have been given the opportunity to take over as racing manager at what is an exciting time for us here at Romford.

“There’s plenty of work ahead, of course, not just for us as a racing office team but with the redevelopment work here at the stadium. I’m delighted Peter is staying on with us for a few months to help with the transition. He’s a fantastic man to work with.”