CROSSFIELD DUSTY posted the fastest sectional at Romford since the track was switched when rocketing to a 3.57 split on his way to winning the third semi-final of the Coral Golden Sprint at Romford on Friday.

Trained by Patrick Janssens and aiming to land the trainer a third straight victory in the 400m event after Goldies Hoddle (2020) and Bockos Jon Jo last year, the brilliant January 2020 son of Droopys Jet and Crossfield Kate was soon in charge after that fast start and on his way to a trap-to-line victory.

However, Rail McCoy was always close up behind after a slick exit himself and Mark Wallis’s dog kept up the pressure before the winner crossed the line three-quarters of a length clear in 24.14sec (-10), the fastest of the trio of semi-final winners.

Winning trainer Janssens has already fielded his star sprinter to success in Perry Barr’s Scurry Gold Cup, Nottingham’s National Sprint and Towcester’s Northamptonshire Sprint – and is delighted with the two-year-old.

“What can we say about Dusty?” he said. “He’s absolutely incredible, has taken to Romford very well, and came well out off his semi-final in great shape. It’s a very competitive final but he’s got be in there with a decent chance.

“But we know you’ve got to do everything right and he’s got a classy field against him. But we love the big competitions at Romford. There’s always a great Friday night atmosphere. Everything about it is brilliant and the whole kennel are looking forward to it.”

Russian Blake scored an eighth Romford victory in the first semi-final as the John Mullins-trained flyer, a June 2018 son of Laughil Blake and Rushmoorbeatrice so therefore the oldest finalist, trapped smartly and led into the bend on his way to an all-the-way success from the running-on Into The Void (Laurence Tuffin) in 24.23sec (-10).

The second semi went to last year’s Romford Puppy Cup runner-up Newinn Tik Tok who emerged triumphant after a tremendous head-to-head with Laurels champion Havana Class (Liz McNair) which ultimately went to Hove handler Patrick Browne’s December 19 son of Droopys Sydney and Newinn Boodles by less than a length in 24.19sec (-10).

Mark Arkell, Romford’s deputy racing manager, said: “We’re set for another brilliant Golden Sprint final. Crossfield Dusty is a worthy favourite and is clearly among the fastest greyhounds we’ve ever seen at Romford.

“But we know it will not be straightforward. There is so much class here from traps one to six – and remember the red jacket has won the last five runnings of the Golden Sprint with Clondoty Alex (2017), Forest Chunk (2018), Union Jack (2019) and Patrick’s last two winners all coming from the inside box.

“It looks an intriguing Golden Sprint decider and will be the showpiece of a gala card here which features three other finals given we’ve got the Ashwells A3/A4 Sweepstake, the Steve Simmons Sprint and the Stuart Roberts Quicksilver.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=383002&raceId=822798

*Form and trap draw for Friday’s finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Romford/form-guides/19-FRIDAY-PROOF_2022-03-12-140926.pdf