GUNBOAT WICHITA became just the second winner of the Coral Maiden Trophy with a strong-running victory in Friday’s GBGB Category Two decider at Romford.

Yarmouth’s Zari Rosie landed the spoils 12 months ago, but this time the £5,000 first prize went to a locally trained runner in the shape of the Nathan Hunt-trained July 2020 son of Droopys Sydney and Group Supergem, who powered to victory up the home straight for a popular success in the 400m decider.

Chelms Gask (Gemma Evans) was first to show and cut loose into the bend with a superb burst of early pace. However, the eventual winner moved up well into contention off the second bend and took up the running down the far side on his way to a three-length success over Rapido Sabbath (Paul Burr).

The latter, representing last year’s winning kennel, finished ahead of third-placed Droopys Chaser (Paul Young). The winning time was a fast 23.89sec (+20).

A winner of finals at both Cork and Thurles before heading to the UK and Hunt’s kennels, Gunboat Wichita made his Romford debut for the Nathan Hunt Racing Club, his owners, in an A2 in October. A winner third time up at the Essex venue, he produced an impressive effort to win his semi-final – and now delighted his trainer in the 400m decider.

Hunt said: “The Maiden Trophy is a great addition to the Calendar and an added incentive for owners to purchase a dog for it – and we’re just delighted to have won it. Gunner’s win helped make it a great night for the kennel. We had a double on the card and that’s testament to how hard the team at home work with the dogs.

“The Nathan Hunt Racing Club was first started by Rob Howe and Pat Huckle who both run the syndicate for me. Rob helped source Gunner and then sold another nine shares between owners who have shares in most of the Club’s dogs.

“We actually had a few new faces in this syndicate, with one from Brazil. A couple of the guys flew over from Spain for the final so it was very pleasing for them to be there – although I’m sure Pat is still reeling. He opted not to get involved in this one!

“Every syndicate dog is capped to ten owners per dog and a WhatsApp group is set up for every runner. It works well and we’ve currently nine dogs in the NH Racing Club. I have to say we all had a fantastic night and many thanks to Romford who always put on a good show on these big nights – and it’s great for the owners.

“Gunner will now head to Monmore for a trial with a view to running in the (Ladbrokes) Winter Derby there. We also have Droopys Google in the (Arc) Puppy Derby up at Newcastle, so it’s exciting times for all involved.”

Romford racing manager Mark Arkell said: “Well done to Nathan and connections for what was a brilliant win from Gunboat Wichita. He’s a real powerhouse of a performer who you’d probably say isn’t the ideal Romford type, but his pace and trackcraft have see him through here. He definitely looks one to watch moving forward.”

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=393452&raceId=908794