ZARI ROSIE made her rivals see red when landing trainer Paul Burr the inaugural Coral Maiden Final at Romford on Friday.

The £3,000 decider over 400m was chief support to the Coral Essex Vase, in which Burr was also represented by Drumdoit Bomber, but it was the much-improved November 2019 daughter of the Droopys Jet and Zari Frankie who struck for the Yarmouth handler in the Category Two feature.

Lining up favourite to land the spoils after an impressive semi-final victory in the 36-runner event, the Burr and Stewart Chinman spart-owned two-year-old made no mistake when it mattered most as her customary show of early pace saw her secure a lead at the bend.

Thereafter, the Yarmouth bitch was never troubled and strode away impressively for a four-and-quarter-length success in a fast 23.88sec (+10) to complete a rapid rise from A8 to A1 company at the seaside venue, a series of wins capped by landing the 64th Yarmouth Championship Grand Final.

A delighted winner part-owner Stewart Chinman told RPGTV: “It’s incredible to win something like this after so many years, so thanks to Paul and the team.

“This is the best race we’ve won. We don’t have a big budget for the dogs but Rosie’s just proved a real champion under Paul’s care – coming up from A8 all the way up the grades to A1 and then winning the Yarmouth Championship which was amazing. She’s not stopped improving and seems to like it here at Romford!

“She had her box and deservedly went off favourite, but you still have to do it and you should never be overly confident.”

Winning trainer Burr added: “We’re over the moon. As Stewart said you can never be confident when it comes to finals – anything can happen. But I thought if she broke she had a chance and it’s turned out great. You’d have to say the Golden Sprint back here looks a plan – she runs the track really well.

“And on Romford, I’d also like to say many thanks to sponsors Coral. It’s been a great new competition, especially after the difficult times we’ve all been through, and hopefully it will become a regular competition now. I thought it worked really well supporting the Coral Essex Vase and it was also great to have a finalist in that.

“Generally I also hope greyhound racing can progress again this year. I’d like to see some of the negativity go away soon, so we can move this great sport forward.”

Romford general manager Karen McMillan said: “I’m delighted for Paul (Burr) and his team winning the Coral Maiden. Paul is a regular Romford visitor and great supporter of the track. In fact Zari Rosie had herself been here in November for a couple of races and had made the frame – that experience certainly served her well in the Coral Maiden.”

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=381635&raceId=811038