Westminster Taj springs a surprise in the Silver Collar Final

Walthamstow Report 14 July 2007

Saturday's card featured the Silver Collar final.

The opener (430m open) was blighted by the horrid sight of Pork Pie breaking a hock at the second bend. Very sadly he had to be put down. He was a grand servant to connections, winning 17 of his 56 races, 16 of which were opens. Driving Up Hasty took up the running at the and led until near the 3rd bend and then faded. Droopys Impact got a clear run round the first two turns after a slow start and ran on to lead near the 3rd bend. He went on to score.

Too Much Trouble made all in the 6 bend hurdle open. Farloe Lugs turned handy, but could never get on terms, he faded near the line.

Blonde Joey was another trap to line victor in the 3rd race (475 open). Legal Major challenged and eased at the 3rd and showed skrews pace late on the run in, but went down by a short head.

The third trap to line victor on the trot was Night Night, in the novice stayers race. Baby Marge kept on and went down  by a head. Heavy Weather loomed up with every chance, but failed to see out the trip.

The veterans went to Tornaroy Title, who made all the running to win by 4 lengths. Clonbrin Show broke modestly and kept on for second.

Snappy Girl led off the second bend and pulled clear in the 880m marathon open. He held on by  a narrow margin, as Jangos Snowdrop and Rosshill View both stayed on. Jangos Snowdrop ran very well here last time.

Leos Beano and Sonic Sensation broke best in the Div 1 stayers race, but came together at the first and also collided with Big Brett Coal and Fear Robben to a lesser extent. Fear Robben showed pace off the second bend and got a clear run and led at the 3/4 and went on to score.

Venturemore was a very impressive winner in the first Irish Derby trial stakes. Although the track was lightening fast, he stopped the clock at 28.43, one spot off the clock. He had a decent 503m run at Dundalk on his card prior to this. He is sure to win a number of races in the coming weeks. Rooster Nosey stayed on for second.

Cobra Striking flew up to the corner (as usual) in heat 2 of the Irish Derby trial stakes. Astute Gift showed plenty of early himself and turned close behind. Astute Gift lost a little ground challenging at the 3rd and still took over out of the 4th bend. This was his 14th win from 36 runs, 12 of those being opens.

Centaur Iris did particularly well to win the novice marathon, after suffering a bad bump between the first two bends. Paws For Cash and Omega Wink, who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively,  were one paced from between the last two bends. 

Kildare Lark was fancied by many locals to turn over the jolly, Snazzy Time, in the hurdles open. Kildare Lark showed decent early pace and came off the rails to lead. Alis Amigo paced up and led from the 2nd to 3rd bend, before Kildare Lark took over again and went on to score. Snazzy Time was slow away and eased at the 3rd bend, yet still managed to finish second.

Westminster Taj broke well and made all to spring a surprise in the Solver Collar final. Drimeen Rumble paced up well also, but did not run the bends at all well, and faded to the rear. Discreet Cat broke averagely, but showed good early pace. He challenged until fading from the 5th bend. Classy Star started slowest of the field, but stayed on well for second as the pack closed.

Systems Sound broke level with the faster starters in the Div 2 stayers event, but showed by far the most early pace. He stretched some 4 lengths clear, but his stride shortened on the home straight. Glenske Mike and Daisyfield Matti swung round in 2nd and 3rd respectively, but Glenske Mike came off the second bend and let Daisyfield Matti up his inside. Daisyfield Matti stayed on for second with Glenske Mike following him and Systems Sound home in third.

Swift Maggie flew out of the traps in the closing Div 2 stayers event. She led until tiring from near the 5th bend and fading. January Tiger broke modestly, paced up, ran wide at the 2nd bend. He took over nearing the 5th bend and went on to win. Blonde Pearl came with a threatening run at the 5th bend, but eased and faded.

Last updated: 13 Jun 2008 by Stow judge Contact