DROOPYS EUNICE will fly the flag for the locals in a red-hot Coral Essex Vase Final at Romford on Friday after posting the fastest time in last week’s semi-finals.

Maxine Locke’s bitch will take on last year’s runner-up Aayamza Sydney plus four Mark Wallis-trained finalists including New Destiny who has the Romford triple crown of major 575m races in her sights, despite losing her unbeaten sequence at the paws of kennelmate Scammer in the third semi.

First up, however, was another Wallis runner in Newinn Cloud who confirmed the promise of his heat performance by outgunning older rivals in the opening semi.

In contention as the runners headed to the first bend, the January 2023 son of Newinn Session and Ballymac Cloud paced up to lead off the second and was away thereafter, crossing the line three and three-quarter lengths clear of Aayamza Sydney (John Mullins), last year’s Essex Vase runner-up, in 35.31sec (-20).

Victory for Newinn Cloud initiated an Essex Vase semi-final double for 15-time champion trainer Mark Wallis given he later sent out Scammer to lead home Coronation Cup and Champion Stakes winner New Destiny.

The latter trapped in front but was outgunned into the turn by Scammer who raced into a clear advantage. New Destiny kept the pressure up in behind, however, and was closest at the finish, crossing the line a length behind the 35.14sec (-20) winner, an October 2022 son of Malachi and Bobbys Magic.

In between, Droopys Eunice was imperious as the July 2022 daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Droopys Charm piled on the pressure from the get-go, a slick 13.47sec sectional helping her to a decent early advantage which Maxine Locke’s bitch continued to build on before crossing the line five lengths clear in 35.13sec (-20).

Runner-up here was Fabulous Sonique who just held the finish of kennelmate Mad For Sterling but still ensured another finalist for the Wallis team.

However, the winner delighted Romford trainer Locke who said: “She’s brilliant and I’m just delighted for Gavin O’Mahoney and Jack Russell. They’re in another final with her – her seventh Cat One – and it’d be great to win one, but it’s not going to be easy in such a great line-up.

“Trap four isn’t great but to win she’s going to have to come out – and wherever she was that was going to be the same. She’s enjoying the 575m and is five-from-five over that trip at Romford and again you can’t ask for much more than that. It’d be good to keep that run going. She’s in good order and we’re all looking forward to Friday.”

Paul Young notched a double in the supporting Coral Silver Maiden semi-finals courtesy of Slipalong Move (24.15sec -10) and Yahoo Mareike (24.24sec -10), with Martyn Wiley scoring with Scooby Dior (24.34sec -10) in the other semi.

Trap draw for Friday’s finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Romford/form-guides/Trap-Draw-Proof-Fri-24th-Jan.pdf