ROMEO HOTSHOT landed his trainer David Mullins a record fifth victory in the event when leading home an outstanding litter one-two for the kennel in Friday’s Coral Romford Puppy Cup Final.

 

After wins for Living Jewel (2003) and Vamoose (2004), and then Tenpin and Brookside Richie in the last two years, Romeo Hotshot helped Romford handler Mullins become the first trainer to send out three Puppy Cup winners in a row and, for good measure, littermate Romeo Mission chased him home for a Mullins first and second in the £10,000 annual.

 

Well away from a midfield pitch, the Dave Firmager-bred and owned January 2021 son of Magic Sprite and Buckos Lass soon had his rivals under pressure and never looked in trouble as he maintained a ferocious pace to cross the line four and three-quarter lengths clear of Romeo Mission, with Queen Pink (Liz McNair) a further three and a quarter lengths behind.

 

The winning time was a fastest-of-the-event 23.59sec (+20) for the 400m with the 11-4 co-favourites filling the first three places ahead of another Mullins-trained finalist in Bales Legacy in fourth.

 

Romeo Hotshot had set out his stall in the first round with a fastest-of-the-night victory to add to a two-round maiden event he won at Romford in August – and the winning trainer was delighted with the success.

 

“For Romford owners and patrons, the Puppy Cup is the one they want to win,” said David Mullins. “So to win it five times now is a dream come true. Hotshot did everything right on the night and his brother ran a great race too to finish second – and to get a first, second and fourth in the final is great for the kennel.

 

“Well done to Dave and Nicola (Firmager) – they’ve had some year – and I know Dave has always wanted to win the Romford Puppy Cup so that’s great. They just let us get on with it and I’m delighted to have won the trophy for them.”

 

Stadium manager Karen McMillan congratulated all winning connections on the night – on a busy night at the Essex track which saw no less than five finals down for decision including the Mitch Millward Memorial Marathon.

 

She said: “That’s always a special race for Mitch’s friends here at Romford – and once again it went to Mark Wallis’s Blueberry Bullet. In fact, she and Bubbly Cristal (Paul Young) produced another great race. There was only a length between them last year – and it was the same this year. That’s quite incredible, so well done to all.

 

“Overall it was a great night with a great Friday night atmosphere, which carried over to our Saturday night meeting, too. We’re all now looking forward to the start of the Coral Champion Stakes on Friday which is always a great event.”

 

Result: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=389595&raceId=877527