Greyhounds: Essex Vase Favorite Has No Problems With the Trip
It is a 315-mile journey from the Northumberland kennels of Angela Harrison to Romford Greyhound Stadium. With the trainer sending her dogs to the track for trials ahead of the Essex Vase, the handler has already clocked-up 1,890 miles in pursuit of the 2022 competition.
Coolavanny Aunty (trap 3) passing Sweet Pear approaching the third bend in last week’s Essex Vase semi-final. She went on to score convincingly and is now the clear favorite for Friday’s final. ©SteveNashPhotography
Only 630-miles of traveling remain. And her team – that includes former trainers Jimmy Wright and Ian Sutherland – will hope Friday’s journey home will be the quickest of all. That will surely be the case if their Coolavanny Bani or Coolavanny Aunty can capture the £10,000 prize.
The bookmakers believe the trainer, who supplies Newcastle with graded runners, has an outstanding chance with her pair of representatives. Coolavanny Aunty is 6/5 favorite in the Coral Essex Vase betting list, Coolavanny Bani is second best at 10/3.
Happy With the Trap Draw
Speaking exclusively to BestBettingSites.com trainer Angela Harrison expressed her approval for the draws her runners have received in Friday night’s final. They go from traps one and two.
“The draw has certainly worked out well for our two. I’m very happy with their boxes. Aunty can move out slightly from trap-rise but I’d rather have her there [trap 2] than out wide.”
“Obviously we hope both will be towards the front early on – as Romford is not the easiest place to pass. And naturally, we are hoping for a clean-run race.”
Despite bookmakers siding with Coolavanny Aunty, her trainer is not so quick to split her two representatives.
“We thought Auntie would be a six-bend dog. This competition is her first step up in trip and we are happy with what she has done. She stayed-on really well in her semi-final.”
“But Bani is proven over the trip. She won the Grand Prix at Sunderland and Summer Stayers at Monmore. So much depends on getting a clear run but she will stay on strongly.”
Chasing Records
The Essex Vase was first staged in 1939 and was won by the legendary Ballyregan Bob in 1985. The history books show there has never been a winner trained north of Yarmouth. That means the Harrison kennel could create a small piece of history this week.
Mark Wallis is also chasing records. The multiple Champion Trainer is already the most successful Essex Vase trainer in history. He depends on the 12/1-shot, Sweet Pear, to give him a sixth success in the 575-meter contest.
But if the front two in the betting are to be beaten, the leading greyhound betting sites believe the locally trained Dapper Rodney will be the one to score.
The trap draw has not been kind to this tight-railer – on Friday he will wear the orange jacket of trap 5 – but the 7/2 shot does have bundles of early-speed and could benefit from any crowding at the opening bend.
Our Verdict
The Essex Vase, due off at 8.54 pm and broadcast on Sky Sports channel 437, should go to the favorite. The clock does not lie, and Coolavanny Aunty has plenty in hand on semi-final winning times.
The youngest finalist, Coolavanny Aunty already has an impressive strike-rate winning 15 of her 25 British starts. Possessing fine track-craft – and having overcome trouble-in-running to win before – she looks bomb-proof.
However, the one greyhound she would be unable to give a start and beating to is her travel companion, Coolavanny Bani. As her trainer points out, she has already won two major finals over six-bends.
Possibly a small saver forecast bet – Coolavanny Bani to beat Coolavanny Aunty – would be a good way to compliment a win-bet on the big-race favorite.
