Pape Di Oro, under the ownership and training of Savva Roberts from Newcastle, showcased an outstanding performance at Romford, making the lengthy journey south worthwhile by claiming victory in the Coral Silver Maiden Final.
The Category Two event, offering a £5,000 prize to the winner, served as a fitting prelude to the Coral Essex Vase Final at the London Road venue. Pape Di Oro, a May 2021 offspring of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile, emerged as the crowd favorite, living up to expectations by executing a swift start and a remarkable 3.67-second sectional, establishing a commanding lead.
The 4-5 favorite, a former Tipperary Cup winner at Thurles under previous trainer Pat Buckley, maintained a comfortable lead around the bend, ultimately crossing the finish line five and a quarter lengths ahead of Leaha Salha (Katie O’Flaherty) and Droopys Swanky (Gemma Evans). The 400m feature race concluded with a time of 23.80 seconds (normal).
Pape Di Oro joined the ranks of past winners Zari Rosie (Paul Burr) and last year's champion Gunboat Wichita (Nathan Hunt), validating his reputation as a contender. Having reached the finals of the Arc Classic at Sunderland and Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup at Newcastle, Pape Di Oro overcame a less-than-ideal performance in the heats to shine in both the semis and the final.
Savva Roberts expressed his delight, emphasizing the kennel team's hard work, with special mentions for Debbie Reid and Gary Booker. He acknowledged the contribution of Pat Buckley, who sold Pape Di Oro to them, and hinted at future plans, considering him a potential Derby dog. Roberts outlined potential steps, including a one-off race at Sheffield over 500m and trials at Towcester.
Mark Arkell, Romford racing manager, congratulated Savva Roberts and praised Pape Di Oro's class and performance. He highlighted the success of having the Maiden alongside the Coral Essex Vase, creating an exciting finals night with a strong crowd and a vibrant atmosphere on the terraces. Arkell announced the upcoming Coral Golden Sprint over 400m, closing to entries on February 26, with heats on March 1, semi-finals on March 8, and the £10,000 final on March 15.