TIFFIELD TARQUIN roared back to winning ways in the semi-finals of the Coral Coronation Cup at Romford and now eyes a famous double in Friday’s final. However, standing in the way of January’s Coral Essex Vase champion is the new track record holder for the 575m trip in the shape of the Belinda Green-trained Bikini Bullet.

Bikini Bullet roared round the London Road circuit in the first Coronation Cup semi-final in 34.34sec (normal) as she led home Burrows Charm (Jason Heath) by nine lengths, shaving six spots off retired kennelmate Gary The Arb’s previous best for the trip in the process, and she now lines up as one of two finalists for Hove-trained Green, whose four-timer on Friday included two of the three Coronation Cup semi-final winners.

Success for Bikini Bullet and Teddie gives the Sussex-based handler a huge hand on what promises to be a gala night’s racing at the track on Friday, including the Coral Guys & Dolls Final, as the team eyes what would be a first major Romford success – albeit after a close call with their Sussex Cup winner Ninja Kerry a few years back.

“He was second in a Champion Stakes to Hollow Man,” said Green, “so it would be great to go one better. Both Teddie and Bikini Bullet ran great and we can’t ask for more heading into the final, but these 575m Romford competitions are never easy so we’re taking nothing for granted even though Bikini Bullet did the clock.

“We’ve always known she was special but she just did everything right and it’s nice to keep the track record in the kennel I suppose after Gary The Arb, who’s enjoying his retirement now and is in great form.”

Green admitted to being just as pleased and delighted when Raebella Bullet joined her at the pick-up after a rough ride in the second semi-final saw the Oaks third brought down.

“She’s a lovely bitch who just doesn’t get the luck she deserves, but it was good to see her quickly back on her feet and she met me at the drop and is bouncing around today.”

Tiffield Tarquin made all in that second semi-final as he regained the winning thread in a fast 34.76sec (normal), crossing the line five lengths clear of local hope Underground Jim (Paul Young), while Bikini Bullet’s kennemate Teddie also landed a trap-to-line success in the third semi as she scored a runaway eight and a quarter lengths win in a slick 34.82sec (normal). Runner-up here and into Friday’s final was the David Mullins-trained Izzys Tenpin.