HOVE racing manager Rob Abrey is looking forward to Saturday’s semi-finals of the latest major double-header at the seaside venue after solid starts for both the Coral Regency and Coral Sussex Cup at the weekend.

A series of high-class performances mixed with plenty of local interest made it the perfect start to the brace of Category One competitions at the Sussex venue – with Droopys Flare topping the list in terms of what was achieved on the night in Saturday’s heats.

“I thought she was superb in her Regency heat and definitely lived up to expectations, looking very special on the eye,” said Abrey. “She ran strongly throughout and is clearly the one to beat. “It was great to have an Irish entry for the Regency in Lennies Desire and I’ve no doubt he’ll improve for the run and will strip a lot fitter for it. I’d almost expect to see a different dog metaphorically speaking come the semis and, if he qualifies, onwards through the event.

“There’s definitely still plenty to play for, but with 15 rail seeds qualifying draws may prove crucial.

“As for the Sussex Cup, seeing three locally trained heat winners – Blackstone Opera, Moving Force and Avarua Zlatan – was great for the home contingent and all three could have a big say in the matter.

“These especially include Brighton Belle winner Blackstone Opera who absolutely loves Hove and that love affair continued on Saturday.

“Tiffield Tarquin looked pleasing on the eye, too – and on the clock – and I’d say he’s the one to beat. He’s likely to get a favourable draw if qualifying for the final.

“Paul Young’s Droopys Alldeway is another who thrives at Hove but does looks draw-dependent.

“Overall I was really pleased with the heats of both comps and am looking forward to the semi-finals along with the two supporting competitions that should make for a thrilling night of racing on semi-final and final night here across the next two Saturdays.”

Droopys Flare was fastest in the Coral Regency heats over 695m as Sean Parker’s bitch raced away for an 11 and a half lengths heat six victory in 41.25sec which set the standard.

Other heats went to Heather Dimmock’s Chasing Rachel (42.10sec), Belinda Green’s Teddie (41.60sec) and Swift Jarvis (42.11sec), Seamus Cahill’s Powerhouse Duke (42.02sec) and Jason Heath’s Burrows Charm (42.41sec).

Roy Peckham’s Essex Vase winner Tiffield Tarquin set the standard in the heats of the Sussex Cup as he raced away off the back of a fast start to make all in heat three in 29.76sec for the 515m trip.

Other  heats went to Patrick Janssens’ Droopys Graph (29.99sec), Seamus Cahill’s duo of Moving Force (30.11sec) and Blackstone Opera (30.05sec), Richard Rees’s Avarua Zlatan (30.18sec) and Paul Young’s Droopys Alldeway (30.17sec).

 

Photos: © Steve Nash