Romeo Recruit storms to Produce Stakes victory
N0ttingham Stadium: Held its last Produce Stakes on Monday night
PICTURE: STEVE NASHMONDAY night saw the conclusion of a thrilling Nottingham Produce Stakes and the handsome £15,000 first prize went to connections of the odds-on jolly Romeo Recruit.
Dave Firmager's charge, as anticipated, turned second to market rival Story Time but showed the superior back straight pace to get inside that runner by the third bend and, after the runner-up showed some resistance, surged on from the final bend to score by2 3/4l in 29.61sec.
The Stadium Bookmakers Sprint Final (305m) saw David Pruhs' Masada Scolari (9-4) turn the tables on the odds-on Kilmalady Fox who finished third. Miss Slick (T1) was a non-runner which clearly enhanced the chances of the Peterboro raider who made all and recorded a speedy 17.78sec.
The Stadium Bookmakers Stayers Trophy Final saw a game win for Terry Munslow's Conkon. Having broken well, he managed to lead to the third bend but was forced back into third spot as the earlybirds took over. However, the out-and-out stayer, who is by Flying Penske, rallied rounding the fifth bend to lead off the last and comfortably hold the late-running Romeo Causeway by a neck in 42.11sec.
Earlier, the first heat of the Magners Standard Trophy (500m) was won by Kevin Boon's 10-1 chance Star Cash Simon who beat the odds-on Newmarket Flyaway by a short-head in 30.15sec.
Garlyn Rocky was odds-on for heat two but finished a disappointing fifth of five behind Pat Rosney's 9-4 second favourite Vatican Hermes who clocked 29.87sec.
ROMFORD'S weekly Coral-sponsored event was for Maiden Stayers (575m) and speeding into Friday's final with the fastest qualifying time is Fahy Pine.
It was a dramatic start to the event when Keith Crew's Fahy Pine (9-4F) pinged out and made all in 35.93sec but Droopys Paige, who finished second, had had a couple of digs at third-placed Lenson Ginger on the run in and was subsequently disqualified.
Heat two saw a good buckle between Ernie Gaskin's Mutual Consent (4-5F) and Head Teacher. The odds-on jolly took control off the fourth bend but could never shake the runner-up who rallied gamely behind the 36.03sec winner.
Ken Tester's well-supported Ardbeg Gabby (11-8F), who showed good early pace to lead but was headed at the fourth bend, rallied gamely to lead rounding the fifth turn and then had to hold the staying-on Droopys Roulette who failed by a head to catch the 36.08sec winner.
