By Rob Abrey
Glorious Romford may not have the same ring to it as Glorious Goodwood but is still glorious nonetheless. With twelve open races on show on Racing Post TV from 7.12pm there is plenty to enjoy. As ever there are greyhounds making their race debuts, their Romford debuts and those stepping up in trip for the fist time. To assist in making Romford ‘glorious’ tonight I have endeavoured to find out more about some of them.
Towcester trainer Patrick Janssens is making his regular Friday night trip to Essex and tonight is giving Kilmore Lemon his first ever run at Romford over the 400 metres trip at 7.29pm. The novice February ’16 whelp has had six trials so far with four at Swindon and two at Towcester. The son of Taylors Sky and Lemon Lucy in his trials has shown he has talent and if taking to Romford could be a regular fixture on Friday nights in the months to come.
Trainer Patrick Janssens on Kilmore Lemon said: “He is making his race debut at Romford. He has had his last two trials at Towcester. He has impressed me a lot. He has tremendous speed over four bends but has been blowing up coming home.
“He could be really good, top draw. He has done 28.60 at Towcester without staying and is still very young. We will see how good he is once he starts racing.
“I haven’t given him a trial as he took to Swindon and Towcester first time up so hopefully will take to Romford. The plan is to keep him at Romford for the puppy competition coming up supporting the Champions stakes then the puppy cup itself.
“The draw in trap five is fine. He was moving to the outside at Towcester but in my opinion is a middle seed. In time he may prove to be a railer as he is still so young.”
Kilmore Lemon has so much potential with so much early pace at his disposal that if taking to Romford could be the real deal. The 2/1 being offered by Bet365 and Paddy Power should be taken. If he wins well tonight you will not get 2/1 the following week.
Nottingham trainer Peter Harnden is tackling the Friday night traffic to test three of his charges at Romford tonight.
First up in the opening race on Racing Post TV at 7.12pm over 575 metres is Salacres Koeman. Entered in a maiden race the August ’15 whelp has winning open race form over stiff four bend trips at Towcester and Nottingham but is yet to run over six bends anywhere. The son of Zero Ten and Salacres Gem is in fine form and appears to need the longer trip.
Trainer Peter Harnden on him said: “I have entered him in a maiden six bend race and hope the step up means he can get his head in front early on. He is not the best trapper but he has plenty of pace especially down the back straight. Against four bend dogs he was having to do it the hard way.
“I don’t have any worries about him getting 575 metres, he will get that alright especially if he gets on the rabbit.
“Trap five on Friday is good as he is more of a middle runner than a wide so the draw is fine.
“Salacres Koeman is the main reason why we are coming tonight, he is our best chance.”
It is not the easiest race especially against Barricane Carina who will be expected to improve over six bends. He does have chances however and if getting in front which he can do the 6/1 being offered by paddy Power could be worth a dabble.
Next up for Peter Harnden is Salacres David in the stayers races at 10.01pm over 575 metres. The March ’14 is not new to Romford as he has won over C&D before but has not been seen in Essex since April. The son of Kiowa Sweet and Salacres Gem has been running in A2 company at home track Nottingham recently without winning and the return to Romford and the longer trip can only be beneficial for him.
Trainer Peter Harnden on his charge said: “He loves Romford. He is a bit of a character and can half run and has got some pace. He has cracking back straight pace.
“I have brought him back to Romford to switch him back on as he has been going through the motions at Nottingham.
“I know what he is, he is a bit of a character. I wouldn’t bet him to win the race, more to place if anything. He is more of a competition dog than in one off races as he is always there or there about. As I said before our main focus is on Koeman.”
In the ‘lucky last’ at 10.23pm sees Salacres Moore make her eight bend debut for trainer Peter Harnen. In a maiden marathon race over 750 metres the daughter of Zero Ten and Incredible Lulu has had one attempt over six bends at Nottingham but only managed fourth place. All her five career wins have been at Nottingham in graded races with an A2 graded race being her highest graded win. She won at home track on Monday so goes into tonight’s race in fine fettle.
Trainer Peter Harnden on Salacres Moore said: “She has bags of early pace and has staying ability. She is from a repeat mating of the litter Walshes Hill came from but yet she stays like a train. I don’t know where that came from.
I gave her a trial over 575 metres when she was younger and she runs Romford well. She is a good bitch and I’m confident she stays the trip.”
We know Salacres Moore has early and with trainer Peter Harnden confdent see stays the 7/1 being offered by Paddy Power is worth considering. Another option is backing her each way with Skybet who offer three places.
For those with good memories will remember reading about Clares Kyletaun in this column before his first eight bend race at Romford on Friday 21st July. In the column trainer June Harvey said she was aiming him for the marathon race on Sky night at Hove. Those who watched Hove on Sky Sports last night would have seen him romp home by 15 ¼ lengths as 5/4 second favourite.
