DROOPYS EUNICE finally landed the major title her consistency and talent deserved as, in her seventh Category One decider, the bridesmaid became the bride as she raced away for Coral Essex Vase Final glory – and on home soil at Romford too!

In front of her adoring supporters led by trainer Maxine Locke and owners the JR Racing Syndicate, the 25-kilo July 2022 daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Charm burst to the front rounding the first bend to seize the initiative in the £10,000-to-the-winner showpiece and escaped the pack for a popular win, cheered on by a bumper crowd.

Having reached the finals of the Arc Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle, the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby at Monmore, the Coral Brighton Belle at Hove, the bet365 Empress Stakes at Towcester, the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks and the Jay & Kay Coach Tours Gold Collar at Crayford, it was seventh time lucky for Locke’s star.

Clear at halfway from Fabulous Sonique (Mark Wallis), and with favourite New Destiny slowly away and then crowded at the bend as she looked to create history by holding all three 575m titles at the track after wins last year in the Coral Coronation Cup and Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes, it was Droopys Eunice’s Coral Essex Vase title.

Crossing the line an incredible five and a half lengths clear of her rivals, it was Newinn Cloud (Mark Wallis) who ran on best to claim the runner-up ahead of his kennelmate. The winning time was 35.21sec (-20).

In landing the spoils, Droopys Eunice also took her unbeaten run over 575m at Romford to six and has clearly revelled in the six-bend trip at her home track, as winning trainer Locke – plundering her second Essex Vase title after Adoremus in 2014 – agreed.

“She just seems to love it and drives that first bend so well,” said Locke, “although how she got through I’ll never know. She’s only 25 kilos and you couldn’t see her between John’s (Mullins, Aayamza Sydney) and Mark’s (Wallis, Scammer) dogs. Then in the blink of an eye she’s shot through and was away.

“It was amazing to watch and a really unforgettable night.

“She’s an incredible bitch whom I’m lucky to have and I want to thank Gavin O’Mahoney, Jack Russell, Rob Howe and, of course, mum and dad. It’s been a great few weeks since we won the Kent Derby with Droopys Display and it’s just great to competing with good dogs in good competitions.

“Everyone connected with the kennels has played their part but I’d like to particularly thank Jo Ramsey. She’s been everywhere with Eunice. She’s travelled up and down the country with her for every competition, starting with Newcastle’s Puppy Derby and then Monmore’s, so both Jo and Eunice deserved the win.

“Thanks to Romford and the sponsors. It was a brilliant atmosphere right from the start. A great crowd having fun and seeing good racing – it’s what it should be about. The noise for the final was unreal and, for us, especially, it was a great ending.”

Karen McMillan, Romford’s stadium manager, said: “Well done to Maxine and the team – Eunice thoroughly deserved that after going so close elsewhere. It’s always nice to have a local winner of one of our major competitions, although naturally we’d like to thank all the visiting owners and trainers for supporting our events throughout the year.”