NEW DESTINY tightened her grip on the Coral Coronation Cup with another authoritative display in winning the first semi-final of the 575m Category One competition at Romford on Friday.

The ante-post favourite had made all in the first round to set the standard, but this time was forced to come from off the pace after a moderate exit paved the way for fast-starting Untold Paanga to set the tempo as Nathan Hunt’s charge raced into a clear lead off the second bend.

However, New Destiny used the rails to best effect to turn in second. Closing impressively down the back before the October 2021 daughter of Grangeview Ten and Coonough Dolly hit the front before going on for a four and a half lengths clear of Untold Paanga in 34.98sec (+15).

As much as New Destiny’s win was impressive, Cooladerry Dust heads into the £10,000 decider as fastest in the event after running away from the opposition in the second semi to land a popular victory for Nathan Hunt.

Owned by a syndicate which includes darts ace Gerwyn Price, the November 2021 son of Good News and Glenduff Callie was soon handy off a fast break from the outside before taking up the running off the second bend.

Thereafter it was a procession as the ex-Nottingham tracker pulled further and further clear to score by a whopping ten and a half lengths from Hove’s Joes Sagar (Belinda Green) in 34.77sec (+15), not just the fastest semi-final time but fastest in this year’s six-bend annual.

Miami Bullet was quick off the mark in the third semi-final and proved an all-the-way winner for local handler Paul Young as the November 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Doll got first run on his rivals for a facile five and a quarter lengths win over Tromora Rex (John Mullins) in 35.03sec (+15).

The latter just shaded a clutch of Mark Wallis-trained runners for the qualifying position given the champion trainer had five semi-finalists but found himself with four in one heat, with third-placed Ballymac Diana just missing out along with close-up Minnie Bullet, Fabulous Sonique and Ballymac Johnjo.

Winning trainer Paul Young was delighted with Miami Bullet, commenting: “We always thought a lot of him and I’m delighted for the lads who own him – Billy Boyle, Tom O’Donnell and Johnny Donohoe. Tom and Johnny had a big winner at Shelbourne on Saturday with Miami King – so they’re in good form!

“Miami Bullet came over from Garry Dempsey in great condition and reached the (KAB) Maiden Derby final  for us at Towcester and, while things didn’t quite go to plan for him at Sheffield (Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory), we always felt Romford’s 575m would play to his strengths if he came away.

“He’s won over 600yd at Shelbourne and raced over 750yd there so will not be stopping in front – and that obviously has to be the plan in the final, which will not be easy. We’re there, though, which is the main thing and it’d be nice to win it again.

“We won it for Mitch (Millward) a good few years ago with Millwards Master (2016) – what a Romford dog he was – and it’s just great to be involved. It’s a great final.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=411749&raceId=1043667

Form and trap draw for Friday’s final: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Romford/form-guides/Trap-Draw-proof-14th-June.pdf