Luka's Magical run continues to start the Romford Puppy Cup

Magical Luka equals Romford's 400m track record

It's eight years since Roxholme Nidge set a new 400m track record at Romford in the heats of the Coral Puppy Cup. Last night, the Kevin Hutton-trained Magical Luka stopped the clock in an identical time of 23.26. 

Luka has previous when it comes to track records, setting a new 500y clock at Tralee in three straight weeks back in June. Already described by his trainer as "the best we have put around the London Road venue", he made it a perfect 10 wins from 10 career races on Friday night.

It is not just his brute early pace that he can count on as a weapon, it's his ability to carry that speed through a bend. The 35kg son of King Sheeran is beautifully balanced, with Romford sure to be the place to be next week to see this superstar in action. 

Just two spots covered three of the other five heats. In any other year, Ted On Fire's 23.84 heat win for John Mullins would be making waves. He produced a 3.71 split on his way to an impressive win, now a winner from each of the three outside traps, something that will stand him in good stead. 

The winner of three of his four starts at Romford, Ted On Fire's only defeat to this point has come at the paws of Aero Najem who was a 23.86 winner for Richie Taberner. She has dipped under a 3.70 sectional in both of her starts at the track, and it is easy to see why Taberner was sweet on her when he spoke to Chris Oliver earlier this week.

Paul Young's Bowmers Sheeran split the above pair with a 23.85 victory. Another son of King Sheeran, he had only two starts coming in, knocked over on debut before an A4 success. He got on the bunny last night, running out an impressive five-length winner.

It's a strong team that Craig Morris has at present and March On Luna did her part, winning in 24.04. On a night when four of the six heat winners were on the sharp end from trap rise, she can have her effort marked up a little bit, having to do things a little differently from a slower start.

The surprise in the opening round came from Blackburnybullet for Martyn Wiley at 14/1. He got himself in a challenging position early, doing enough to hold off the short-priced favourite, Crafty Santino, in 24.39.

Elsewhere on the card, Missile One added his name to the top 10 times of 2025 over the 575m distance. He got first run on Gary The Arb, managing to hold off Belinda Green's charge in 24.79. Green was on the scoresheet earlier in the night with Boom Boom Bullet, winning on just her second attempt at six bends.

Sprint times continue to be slick at the track this year, Funky Ryan winning the two-bend contest on the night for Paul Young in 13.41 on just the fifth start of his career.

Richard Rees opened the night with Kilara Magic landing a 400m win, turning over Newinn Souly, the first of six odds on favourites to be beaten on the night. Mark Wallis was on the board with Newinn Deejay while Pro Parker picked up his eighth Romford win of the year for Michelle Brown. 

Ted On Fire (t5) wins the opening Coral Romford Puppy Cup heat Photo: © Steve Nash

Bowmers Wildcat (t4) beats Droopys Tiffany (t3) Photo: © Steve Nash

Aero Najem wins Heat 3 for Richie Taberner Photo: © Steve Nash

Magical Luka after equalling the track record Photo: © Steve Nash

Blackburnybullet (t4) holds off the late charge of Crafty Santino (t5) Photo: © Steve Nash

March On Luna (t3) picks up Jazzy George (t4) right on the line Photo: © Steve Nash