NEW DESTINY rewrote the record books at Romford on Friday when setting a new track record for the 575m trip at the Essex track in winning – brilliantly it should be said for Mark Wallis and the owning MWD Partnership – the final of the Coral Coronation Cup.

The £10,000 prize and a first Category One success for the October 2021 daughter of Grangeview Ten and Coonough Dolly looked at her mercy once the 5-6 favourite was clear of her field rounding the first two runs after Cooladerry Dust (Nathan Hunt) had trapped in front. Joined quickly by Tromora Rex (John Mullins) on his outside and then New Destiny on his inside, the latter took the shortest route to drive quickly into a race-winning lead.

Thereafter, New Destiny steadily turned the screw and was soon unassailably in front as they jostled for position in behind. Keeping up the gallop all the way to the finish, last year’s Juvenile Classic finalist at Towcester crossed the line ten lengths clear of Cooladerry Dust, who kept on well to be a clear second, ahead of kennelmate and third-placed Untold Paaga. The winning time said it all – 34.53sec (+15).

One spot inside Hollow Man’s previous best for Romford’s six bends, New Destiny will likely reappear on Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby Final night at Towcester on Saturday week before a crack at the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore, with her longer term aim being to succeed the aforementioned Derek Knight-trained Hollow Man as the Coral Champion Stakes champion in October.

“I’m delighted she’s won a big race, she’s so classy and deserves it,” said winning trainer Wallis, who was winning a fifth Coronation Cup title with the half-sister of kennel star Coonough Crow after wins for Reel Trickyone (2014), Roswell Romanov (2017), Antigua Rum (2020) and Antigua Sugar last year.

“We’ve been lucky enough to win it a few times and I’d love to think she could win another. The Champion Stakes has got to be a target later on and, with luck, she might have a crack at the Essex Vase next year. We’ve had some real 575m specialists such as Eye On the Veto, Reel Trickyone and Adageo Bob, and hopefully she can join them now – especially as a track record holder. That’s definitely something special for her CV.

“She was bought by Mike (Davis) as a good bitch – a 28.42sec Newbridge winner – and posted some nice wins early in her career. She probably didn’t get the luck when it mattered, making a few semi-finals but missing out – even in the (Premier Greyhound Racing) Golden Jacket semis at Crayford when she was a head away from making the final. That sort of trip probably tests her but 575m is proving perfect for her.

“Well done to all the staff, particularly Daniel and Sid, who oversaw our runners at Romford. It’s a busy time with the Derby but picking up one of the big competitions is always a boost for the kennel and our thanks go to the sponsors and Romford who, once again, looked after the owners of the finalists so well, particularly Karen (McMillan, stadium manager) who does a fantastic job there.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=412151&raceId=1045497