ROMFORD racing manager Mark Arkell admitted the London Road venue was still in the glow of being named GBGB Track of the Year 2025 at the GBGB Awards at Easthampstead Park, Surrey, the night before as the hare was set in motion for the first of six heats of the Coral Golden Sprint on Friday.

“It was nice to win the award for everyone connected to Romford and, for those of us lucky enough to be there on the night, it was extra special,” said Arkell, who less than 24 hours later was overseeing the start of the Essex track’s biggest 400m event of the year and playing host to some of the fastest trackers around.

And they did not disappoint.

Fastest of the session was Slingshot Poppy, as the Brian Fairbairn-trained Scottish raider blasted to victory in heat one to not just set the standard but also justify short-priced ante-post favouritism. Soon in command of the back of a flying 3.57sec sectional, last year’s Sunderland Puppy Trophy winner raced away impressively.

Crossing the line seven and a quarter lengths clear of Droopys Will (Maxine Locke), Slingshot Poppy stopped the clock in a superb 23.56sec (-10) for the one-lap trip.

Next quickest was the 23.75sec (-10) posted by the Kevin Boon-trained Bockos Buster who also piled on the pressure from the get-go in the sixth and final heat.

Posting a 3.65sec sectional on his way winning by three lengths from Yahoo Mareike (Paul Young), Bockos Buster now takes his place in the semi-finals of another major Category One competition after making the finals last year of the Arc Classic at Sunderland, Arc Scurry Gold Cup at Dunstall Park and Yarmouth Derby.

Flashing Fender struck for Yarmouth trainer Craig Morris in heat five in 23.77sec (-10), winning by three lengths from Uncle Ed (Paul Young), while the other heats went to Rose Draper’s new Sheffield sprint track record holder Swift Hostile (24.33sec -10), Paul Young’s reserve Quinton Boy (24.34sec -10), and David Mullins’ prolific-scoring local Piemans Goalie in 24.14sec (-10), edging out Funky Adz (Paul Young) in a thriller.

Wrapping up the heats and looking forward to Friday’s semi-finals, Arkell said: “Once again, the Coral Golden Sprint is showing its quality.

“We had plenty of impressive performances and none more so than Slingshot Poppy. Not many greyhounds can post a 3.57sec sectional here but that’s exactly what Poppy did – she’s some bitch. I also thought Bockos Buster and Flashing Fender both ran particularly well and you’d expect Swift Hostile to improve also.”

Trap draw for Friday’s semis:

First semi: 1 Da Don, 2 Yahoo Mareike, 3 Droopys Will, 4 Flashing Fender (m), 5 Slingshot Poppy (m), 6 Broadway Steel (w).

Second semi: 1 Charlie Love Me, 2 Quinton Boy, 3 Sehnsa Amigo, 4 Jacktavern Don (m), 5 Bockos Buster (m), 6 Uncle Ed (w).

Third semi: 1 Piemans Goalie, 2 Tally Ho Socks, 3 Swift Hostile, 4 Pro Parker (m), 5 Funky Adz (m), 6 Bombay Buck (m).