New Destiny does it again with another Romford masterclass

NEW DESTINY had to dig deep to successfully defend her PGR Champion Stakes title on Friday night at Romford but pulled out all the stops to land a remarkable fifth Category One crown.

The Mark Wallis-trained staying superstar had six lengths to find on kennelmate and runaway leader Fabulous Sonique with a lap to go, but mowed the Coronation Cup queen down and was two lengths clear at the line when clocking 35.42sec (-30).

Although far from her quickest-ever effort over 575m, the run was visually sensational and Wallis heaped praise on his champion afterwards as he said: “I thought Fabulous Sonique flying out was the key to the race, it provided New Destiny with plenty of room on the inside. We could’ve retired her a couple of months ago but kept her in training with this in mind, it’s an awesome effort from the team at the kennel and the bitch herself.

“She’s the first greyhound we’ve trained to win five Category Ones, she’s remarkable. It was one of the best 575m finals I’ve ever seen around here and she’s run a blinder.”

Now officially into veteran status as an October 2021 whelp, Wallis continued to eulogise and added: “She’s won five finals and gone close in a couple of other events. This is a magnificent greyhound, a big thanks to her breeders – we have her half-sister ready to race soon and hopefully she can prove just as good.”

Wallis was joined on the podium by MWD Partnership chief Mike Davis, who smiled broadly while clutching the trophy and said: “I’m so proud and happy to come here and showcase these wonderful dogs. A massive thanks to PGR, Coral and all the people here at the track who put the show on to ensure these superstars are shown for what they are.

“She picked up Fabulous Sonique, just as a top-class greyhound should. She’s been a joy for us to own.”

Later Wallis confirmed that New Destiny’s swansong will be the bet365 Challenge Cup at Oxford (final on December 13).

Cheers all round as the MWD Partnership and Mark Wallis team celebrate Newinn Destiny retaining her PGR Champion Stakes crown. Credit: Steve Nash

The chief supporting race on a brilliant open-race card was the £5,000 Coral Romford Guys & Dolls final over 400m, won by Monmore raider Newinn Souly off the front in superb style in 24.15sec (-20) for handler Kim Billingham-Hine.

Delighted long-time owner Alex McCarthy said of Newinn Souly: “He was due one! That was his fourth big final. He has plenty of speed and has won plenty of races over two bends.

“He spent the first part of his career seeded middle, so he was always stranded out in five or six. He wants three really and has looked a much better dog since we’ve seeded  him rails.

“We love coming down here and it’s a great place to race if you have the right dog. He had some big times around here on his card already so we decided this competition would be a better target than the Scurry at Dunstall Park.”

NEWINN SOULY - Coral Guys and Dolls winner on the podium (note the jacket!) with owner Alex McCarthy and Joanne Billingham (sister of trainer Kim). Credit: Steve Nash

Other finals on the card included a 400m standard decider won in game fashion from off the pace by Maxine Locke’s Whitewood Lenny (24.16sec) and the Maurice Newman Memorial Marathon final over 750m landed by stamina-laden Yarmouth stayer Ballymac Nova (47.68sec) for Pam Cross.

Wallis bagged two other 575m winners on the night in Newinn Deejay (35.24sec) and Newinn Cloud (35.71sec), while three heats of a minor maiden stayers’ competition were won by Sally Johnson’s Rolo Rosie (35.61sec) and Tony Taylor’s Hi Land Miss (35.95sec).

Widest-margin winner on the night was Nathan Hunt’s Bretons Girl (24.17sec) over 400m, with the Monmore handler later confirming the retirement of Champion Stakes finalist Untold Paanga who picked up a gracilis injury.

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