Gary The Arb breaks Romford's 575m track record
There was open class racing at Romford and Sunderland on Friday night, with a new track record over the 575m distance at the first of those.
Gary lays down serious Essex Vase marker
The track was running quick at Romford last night, +45 for the 575m contest won by Gary The Arb who went 13 spots inside of New Destiny's track record. With the Coral Essex Vase starting in just seven days time, it was a serious run off a flying 13.24 split. Belinda Green's star has won 11 of his 17 runs at this track, including making back-to-back Champion Stakes finals when behind New Destiny on each occasion.
Fabulous Sonique kept him honest through the first four bends of the race but the draw outside of the winner proved to be her undoing as she could never clear him. It was still a rock solid performance from her. It was still an excellent night for Mark Wallis, however, even without her winning.
Silverhill Adam made just his second start over six bends, pacing up best to the bend to pick up a 34.88 success. That was in the same time region as a trial of his from back in September 2024, though he is going to need to sharpen up his trapping if he is to be a serious contender in the Essex Vase.
A length quicker than Silverhill Adam was Newinn Deejay. He timed his break well, and with form over further, he was going to be hard to reel back in off a 13.34 sectional. Wrighty kept him honest for John Mullins, another consistent run from the remarkable veteran.
There was also a win for Vermithor to notch up the treble for Wallis, getting up the inside at the opening turn to land a 23.74 victory. He had been behind Silver Bucks the last twice that he has been seen in action but managed to reverse those placings last night.
Blackburnmybullet has looked a serious tool when winning his heat of the Coral Puppy Cup at the track back in September. He missed the semis and then was disqualified in an A2 in October. A 3.64 sectional last night meant that he barely saw another rival on his way to a 23.68 success for Martyn Wiley.
Paul Young's Undergroundnicky was an impressive winner last Saturday night at the track and followed that up with another impressive display. Although she was first to show from the traps, others paced up better and it wasn't until the three-quarters mark that she really stamped her authority on the field. Out of Kent St Leger winner Bo Shine Bullet, a return to 575m could be worth exploring.
The other open on the card went to Maxine Locke's The Other Winx who made the perfect start to life over six bends. She had a great buckle with Tally Ho Socks until the fifth bend where she managed to get on top once and for all.
Heilbron and Soppitt share the Sunderland spoils
Four opens on the Sunderland card were shared two apiece by Tom Heilbron and Ted Soppitt. They won a sprint each with less than a length separating Heilbron's Toddys Wolf and Soppitt's Sunnyside Jayden. Both are smart sprinters and with a stronger calendar for them this year, there should be plenty for the pair of them to get their teeth into.
Over the 450m distance there was nothing to choose on the clock between Sunnyside Gurkha for Soppitt and Heilbron's Deerjet Rocket, crossing the line in 26.97. They did so off very different sectionals, both beating a Heilbron favourite in the process in Madabout Peck and Unanimous Leon.
