By Rob Abrey
It’s Romford Puppy Cup final night but as usual my main focus is on the supporting open races to ask the questions you want answers to. There are a few interesting greyhounds that are either running for the first time on these shores or being stepped up in distance for the first time and I’ve found out more….
Belle Vue trainer June McCombe who has Unlikely Turbo in the Puppy Cup final is sending Magical Samson over the six bend trip for the first time in his career. The October ’13 whelp who is almost three years old makes his six bend debut around the Essex track in the 10.11pm maiden stayers race. The son of Top Savings and Cabra Fifi has won over 500 metres around Nottingham in open company, but can he do it over 575 metres tonight? Trainer June McCombe says:
“He probably has enough early to get in front of good staying dogs, but whether he stays I do not know. He is a fast dog and Romford is an easier six bend trip rather than say at Nottingham or Newcastle so has a chance if he gets in front. He takes to tracks well and won at Nottingham first time without a trial so I’m hopeful he takes to Romford just as well.”
Flutter Shy in the bitches only race over 400 metres at 10.26pm is being stepped up in trip for only the third time on these shores in ten races after racing over the two bend trip in her last five races. The May ’14 whelp, trained by Henlow trainer Kevin Cobbold has won sprint opens around Nottingham and Harlow so has the early pace, but can the daughter of Shaneboy Lee and Shauna Said stay? Trainer Kevin Cobbold has the answers. “We bought her to run her over four bends. She has won over 480 metres at Kilkenny so can stay. Tonight is a good trial for her. She has early and has won at Harlow and Nottingham. She hasn’t had a trial at Romford but ran around Crayford and Mildenhall okay and they are similar tracks. Unfortunately she is against Evanta Fantasy but you never know and we will see how she goes.”
Peterborough trainer David Pruhs who is doubly represented in the Puppy Cup final sends out Cloud One in the 9.40pm maiden race over the 400 metres trip. The son of Droopys Scolari and Ballybray Moli makes his racing debut tonight on these shores and will be looking to shed his maiden tag as soon as possible. That first win may have to wait as he is drawn outside of Civility Counts who I covered last week and in the words of Philip Simmonds “If he gets a run he could clock a sub 24.00 time as he is capable of that.”
Dave Pruhs said. “It is a tough race. It’s a very, very hard, competitive race that could easily be a normal standard race. His trials have been relatively good but will be a big price. He has beautiful back straight pace but may not have enough early. He has had some injury problems but that has been sorted and he is raring to go. He has not had a trial at Romford but the track won’t beat him. The opposition might but not the track!”
The Romford Puppy Cup concludes tonight and if you go by the bookmakers, trainer David Pruhs has it in the bag as he is represented by Dark Recruit and Kooga Klammer who are currently best price 5/4 and 5/2.
Trainer Pruhs on his finalists said: “It is a very tough race. It is nowhere near as cut and dry as it looks to the bookmakers, but hope they are right. I’m happy with my two. Both dogs are fit and well and I’m happy with the draws. If I was to hand pick the draws I would have preferred Kooga (Klammer) the other side of Unlikely Turbo but the draws have worked out well.”
Belle Vue trainer June McCombe makes the journey down south with Unlikely Turbo drawn in trap three and the 12/1 shot with Betfred has given both trainer and connections a thrill. Trainer June McCombe on Unlikely Turbo said: “We are thrilled to be in the final and Romford as usual make great hosts. The owner Mary [Millward] is a lovely owner and she has made the long trip to Romford for both the heats and semi final.”
On his chances McCombe said “I’m happy with the draw. He is small for a dog but is ideal for Romford. He is a nippy little thing and anything can happen in the final.”
DARK RECRUIT (t1) leads at the third bend in the Puppy Cup semis, chased home by Kooga Klammer (t3) to give David Pruhs the forecast in a fastest of the night 23.89 (+10). Photo: Steve Nash
