DAVID MULLINS will have half the field in Friday’s Coral Puppy Cup at Romford as the local handler eyes a fifth success in the event and record three-in-a-row.

 

After Brookside Richie last year and Tenpin in 2020 – and previously Living Jewel (2003) and Vamoose (2004) – Mullins has a real affinity with the youngsters’ showpiece at his home Essex venue and, for good measure, he sent out the fastest semi-final winner last week in the shape of Romeo Mission.

 

In making all the running to cross the line two and a quarter lengths clear of littermate Romeo Hotshot, the January 2021 son of Magic Sprite and Buckos Lass posted 23.89sec (+10) for the 400m trip to set the standard as he led home a family one-two, much to the delight of his trainer and the pair’s Derby-winning owner and breeder Dave Firmager.

 

Mullins said: “When Dave put the Romeo dogs with me we did talk about the Puppy Cup as it’s a race he’s always wanted to win. Being as they’re British-bred I did tell him I’ve always fancied winning the Produce!

 

“The owners of Bales Legacy are over the moon. They were chuffed to bits when he was called up as reserve in the first round and now they’ve made it to the final. What a great story.”

 

The aforementioned Bales Legacy led early in the first semi-final after a slick exit before eventual winner Slider Mccoy paced well and took the inside route to the front off the second bend. Thereafter the Nov 2020 son of King Elvis and Swift Bach was away, although Bales Legacy stayed on well to get within a length and a half of the 24.17sec (+10) winner.

 

Liz McNair’s Queen Pink struck in the first semi-final as the January 2021 daughter of King Sheeran and King Danni trapped ahead of littermate King Ezra to lead into the turn and, while challenged and passed by Ranches King (Mark Wallis), who showed pace into the turn and kicked on, McNair’s bitch finished the stronger to win by three-quarters of a length in 23.94sec (+10).

 

Mark Arkell’s, Romford’s deputy racing manager, said: “Well done to David Mullins for qualifying three through to the Coral Romford Puppy Cup Final – that’s some feat and gives the local challenge real strength.

 

“However, with Mark Wallis having two of the finalists and Liz McNair the other, it’s a really strong line-up and the times these pups are posting underline that.

 

“Having littermates in the final is always special with the Romeos Mission and Hotshot, although having won the Derby as a breeder it’s probably no surprise the Firmagers are well represented! Then again, the McNairs bred their own Queen Pink, plus their former Romford Puppy Cup second King Elvis is the sire of Mark’s (Wallis) Slider Mccoy so they’ve also had a pretty good Puppy Cup.

 

“We’re all looking forward to Friday. We’ve no less than five finals down for decision with the Coral Romford Puppy Cup the showpiece event. We’re also very proud to once again stage the Mitch Millward Marathon Final in memory of one of greyhound racing’s most popular owners and a regular here at Romford.”  

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389365&raceId=875399

 

Trap draw and form for Friday’s finals: https://assets.cj1.in/imminent-otter/production/assets/results/Romford/form-guides/Friday-30th-Sep-Pr5oof.pdf