YARMOUTH star Swift Cope was narrowly quickest as the Coral Golden Sprint kicked off at Romford on Friday.

Trained by Paul Burr and notching a sixth victory at the Essex venue, Swift Cope was always handy in heat six before powering to the front on the run for home for a one-and-a-quarter length success over Jonno You Go (Nathan Hunt) and Bubbly Spark (Paul Young), who led until the run-in. The winning time was 23.85sec (normal).

This heat saw the elimination of defending champion Goldies Hoddle (Patrick Janssens) who, after not quite timing the start, was crowded out of contention and finished fourth.

Next quickest was GBGB Sprinter of the Year Shrewd Call as the David Mullins-trained star produced a brilliant burst of pace into the turn to win heat five.

Last year’s Silver Salver champion was never headed as he crossed the line one-and-a-half lengths clear of Bubbly Magnum (Paul Young) for a Romford one-two, clocking 23.88sec. Richard Joyce’s Feather Breeze qualified in third.

Geelo Gold Dust impressed again at Romford as the Carl Perry-trained bitch repeated her trial stakes victory from the week before when trapping well before unleashing a trademark burst of pace to lead at the bend in heat three.

However, taking the shortest route round the first and second turns, the Lee Field-trained Mr Roo challenged at this point, drawing alongside the Sheffield bitch and then heading her for a few strides before Geelo Gold Dust reasserted.

In front down the back, Perry’s runner was on her way to a one-and-a-half victory over Mr Roo with Adeles Duke, another Field-trained runner, qualifying in third for next week’s semi-finals. The winning time was 23.91sec (normal).

Delighted with the performance of Geelo Gold Dust, winning trainer Perry said: “She did it well and showed again how she’ll battle to win. For a 25-kilo bitch she has some guts and is absolutely bouncing this morning after the run.

“It’s great to be in the semi-finals and we’re very happy with the draw. She’s a very versatile sort and can do it from traps two to six. I’d have to be confident with her Romford record that she can make the first two next week and qualify.

“Thereafter it’s anyone’s race in a final, but she loves Romford and it’d be great for Nic (Brereton, owner) and all the team to have a Cat One finalist. It’d make Friday week (March 19) an extra special day alongside our Cheltenham runner. Fingers crossed!”

Just a quarter length slower than Geelo Gold Dust and also very impressive to the eye was Signet Ace as Kevin Hutton’s runner emerged triumphant in a high-quality heat two as he paced up to lead into the bend and always led thereafter.

However, favourite Bockos Jon Jo made a real race of it, overcoming a moderate start and first-bend crowding to give chase to the Monmore runner, getting to within a length of Signet Mafia at the line. The winning time was another fast 23.93sec.

The other heats were won by the Mark Wallis-trained Aero Madrid (24.10sec) and Jane Craske’s Adamant Taurus (24.35sec) with both taking their chance in next week’s semi-finals of the £10,000-to-the-winner GBGB Category One event.

Mark Arkell, Romford racing manager, said: “We had some more great racing here on Friday with plenty of thrilling races and a host of superb performances – just look at the times being clocked.

“Swift Cope was the fastest of the night and is really enjoying performing here. He runs the track well and produced a really strong finish to win.

“Shrewd Call was the second quickest with a trap-to-line success which was achieved in the complete opposite style of Swift Cope – that shows again what a thrilling night we had.

“We’re certainly looking forward to the semi-finals next Friday – and to final night here on Friday week. Both cards will no doubt feature a strong supporting card, too.”

*Form and trap draw for Friday’s semi-finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Romford/form-guides/13-FRIDAY-PROOF_2021-03-05-215429.pdf