PAPE DI ORO made the long journey south more than worthwhile for Newcastle owner and trainer Savva Roberts when producing a high-class performance to lift the Coral Silver Maiden Final at Romford.

The £5,000-to-the-winner Category Two event supported the Coral Essex Vase Final at the London Road venue and proved the perfect appetiser to the main event with Pape Di Oro a popular winner as the May 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile landed the odds, a fast start and slick 3.67sec sectional quickly setting up a winning lead.

Roared on from the terraces, the 4-5 favourite – winner of the Tipperary Cup at Thurles for previous trainer Pat Buckley – was comfortably ahead at the bend on his way to scoring by five and a quarter lengths from Leaha Salha (Katie O’Flaherty) and Droopys Swanky (Gemma Evans), clocking 23.80sec (normal) in the 400m feature.

In winning, Pape Di Oro followed previous winners of the Category Two event in Zari Rosie (Paul Burr) and last year’s champion Gunboat Wichita (Nathan Hunt) – and justified his lofty reputation coming into the event having made the finals of both the Arc Classic at Sunderland and Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup at Newcastle.

“He got it wrong in the heats but showed his class in the semis when winning and then again in the final – and we’re all absolutely delighted,” said Roberts.

“It was a great experience at Romford and maybe it was our turn for a touch of luck – and Pape Di Oro didn’t fail to deliver. Having been in two consecutive Cat One finals at Newcastle and Sunderland, he eventually broke his maiden tag.

“A massive shoutout to everyone at the kennels, especially Debbie Reid and Gary Booker. They continually put in so much hard work at the kennels. We couldn’t do without them and they are first class.

“Also a big mention to Pat Buckley for selling him to us. He’s exactly what he said he was, very good! Here’s hoping we can pick up another nice prize along the way. We think he’s a Derby dog and will look to step him up maybe for a one-off at Sheffield over 500m and then look to trial him at Towcester.”

Mark Arkell, Romford racing manager, said: “Congratulations to Savva (Roberts) and well done to Pape Di Oro. He showed plenty of class in winning and looks a really nice type – and clearly was a worthy winner of Coral Silver Maiden.

“It worked well again having the Maiden alongside the Coral Essex Vase and made for a really good finals night here. We had a very decent crowd in, a cracking atmosphere on the terraces, and it kicked off our big-race year in the best possible style.

“Our next Category One will be the Coral Golden Sprint over 400m which closes to entries on Monday, February 26, with heats on Friday, March 1, the semi-finals on March 8, and the £10,000 final on Friday, March 15.”