HIGHFIELD MAY underlined her standing as a precocious talent by producing a career-best effort in posting the fastest time in the semi-finals of the Coral Golden Sprint at Romford on Friday.

 

The Paul Young-trained runner, a June 2021 daughter of Pestana and Ridgedale Martha, raced away for victory in the second semi-final of the GBGB Category One event off the back of a fast start to confirm the promise of her heat second to Signet Goofy, having started her career in A3 at the London Road venue in January.

 

Clocking a 3.69sec split, Highfield May was soon in command outside and never looked in danger as the youngster crossed the line six and a half lengths clear of Droopys Good (Patrick Janssens) in 23.74sec (normal), the pair qualifying for Friday’s £10,000-to-the-winner decider. Third here went to Flickofacoin (Marlene Westwood).

 

The first semi-final clash of Gougane Jet and Hawkfield Mia was given top billing on the night and did not disappoint as the former, the Mark Wallis-trained recently-crowned GBGB Sprinter of the Year, led home his chief rival in a cracking head-to-head, the duo pulling clear of the chasing pack.

 

Gougane Jet broke best and this time led Hawkfield Mia (Patrick Janssens) into the turn which proved decisive as the Wallis runner turned the tables from their heat clash seven days previously, making all to win by two lengths in 24.04sec (normal) for the 400m trip, with Supa Nova (Paul Burr) crossing the line in third.

 

Victory for Gougane Jet, an August 2020 son of Droopys Jet and Paper Doll, helped make it a good night for trainer Wallis who will also field two runners in the Coral Coronation Cup Final on what promises to be a fantastic GBGB Category One double-header at the Essex track on Friday.

 

Of Gougane Jet, who aims to land a fourth Golden Sprint title for the 13-time champion trainer after wins for Blonde Snapper (2012), Clondoty Alex (2017) and last year’s winner Rail Mccoy, Wallis said: “He’s getting better with each look at Romford but will have to be electric from the off to clear the likes of Hawkfield Mia.

 

“It looks a really good Golden Sprint final and it would be great to win it again. In fact, they are two great finals with so much early pace in both. Aazyamza Magic will be trying to add to his Essex Vase title, while we know what sort of form Antigua Sugar’s in. It’s a tough draw in trap four but she overcame it to win the Peter Bussey at Crayford.”

 

Back to the Coral Golden Sprint semis and Signet Goofy continued his unbeaten march into the final when winning the third semi-final as the January 2020 son of Magical Bale and Forest Natalee paced up well to lead at the first bend.

 

Thereafter the John Mullins-trained runner was never headed as he crossed the line two lengths clear of Hove raider Ayle Blake (Norah McEllistrim) and Noels Fleck (Gerry Ballentine) in a fast 23.76sec (normal).

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=394853&raceId=920724

 

Form and trap draw for Friday’s finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Romford/form-guides/Trap-Draw-Proof-10th-March.pdf