"Miami Bullet will not be stopping in front. It’s a great final and it would be nice to win it again,” says trainer Paul Young.
NEW DESTINY strengthened her hold on the Coral Coronation Cup with another commanding performance, winning the first semi-final of the 575m Category One competition at Romford on Friday. The favourite had set the pace with an all-the-way victory in the first round, but this time she showcased her ability to come from behind.
A slow start allowed Untold Paanga, trained by Nathan Hunt, to set a brisk pace, racing into a clear lead off the second bend. However, New Destiny navigated the rails expertly to turn in second, closing in impressively down the back straight. The October 2021 daughter of Grangeview Ten and Coonough Dolly hit the front and extended her lead to four and a half lengths over Untold Paanga, clocking 34.98sec (+15).
Despite New Destiny’s strong performance, Cooladerry Dust enters the £10,000 final as the fastest qualifier following a dominant display in the second semi-final. Owned by a syndicate that includes darts ace Gerwyn Price, the November 2021 son of Good News and Glenduff Callie broke swiftly from the outside and took the lead off the second bend. From there, he pulled further ahead, finishing ten and a half lengths clear of Hove’s Joes Sagar (Belinda Green) in 34.77sec (+15), the fastest time of the competition.
In the third semi-final, Miami Bullet led from start to finish for local handler Paul Young. The November 2021 son of Droopys Sydney and Yahoo Doll got the first run on his rivals, securing a five and a quarter lengths victory over Tromora Rex (John Mullins) in 35.03sec (+15). The race for the remaining qualifying position was tightly contested, with Tromora Rex just edging out a group of Mark Wallis-trained runners, including third-placed Ballymac Diana, who narrowly missed out along with Minnie Bullet, Fabulous Sonique, and Ballymac Johnjo.
Trainer Paul Young expressed his satisfaction with Miami Bullet’s performance, saying, “We always thought highly of him, and I’m delighted for the lads who own him – Billy Boyle, Tom O’Donnell, and Johnny Donohoe. Tom and Johnny had a big winner at Shelbourne on Saturday with Miami King – so they’re in good form!
“Miami Bullet came over from Garry Dempsey in great condition and reached the (KAB) Maiden Derby final for us at Towcester. Although things didn’t go as planned at Sheffield (Time Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory), we always felt Romford’s 575m would suit him if he broke well.
“He’s won over 600yd at Shelbourne and raced over 750yd there, so he won’t be stopping in front – and that’s the plan for the final. It’s a tough race, but we’re in it, and it would be nice to win it again.
“We won it for Mitch (Millward) a few years ago with Millwards Master (2016) – what a Romford dog he was – and it’s great to be involved. It’s a fantastic final.”