By Rob Abrey
The Golden Sprint over 400 metres starts early next month and some greyhounds are already being lined up for a potential tilt at the category one competition. As ever yours truly has found out more about some of the potential entries as well as others making their Romford debuts tonight.
Peterborough trainer David Pruhs has had several runners at Romford recently and is back for more tonight with four runners. Two ran at Romford last week, one hasn’t been around the Essex venue since October 2016 and one is making his Romford debut. Of those four, I’ve found out more about three of them.
Regular readers of this column would have known all about Total Commitment before his first race at Romford two weeks ago when he duly obliged at an SP return of 2/1. Last week the April ‘15 whelp doubled his tally to two wins from two when taking the final of the Romford Friday night 500 maiden in a time of 23.99 (+10). Those with sharps minds will remember David Pruhs claiming he could get 24.00 seconds at Romford. He certainly did and the son of Wise Thought and Holly and Berry is going from strength to strength and tackles Romford again tonight at 8.54pm in a standard affair over 400 metres.
David Pruhs on Total Commitment said: “He is running really well and has won five from his last six races. He doesn’t want trap one at Romford, traps two and three are fine but not one.
“Friday (tonight) is a step up in class for him and we will see how he gets on. If he can handle himself at this level then the Golden Sprint is a possibility.”
Those who have been following the open scene during the last couple of years and especially at Romford will remember the 2016 Romford puppy cup winner Kooga Klammer. Since taking the spoils in the category one competition, the December ’14 whelp has not been seen since at Romford. Seventeen months later and the son of Roxholme Bully and Millbrook Gaga is back to pick up where he left. After an injury lay off he has shown no ill effects and back in October last year at home track Peterborough he broke the track record over the standard trip of 435 metres. In a standard race over 400 metres tonight at 8.38pm the Romford puppy cup winner will be showing his Golden Sprint credentials.
Trainer David Pruhs on Kooga Klammer said: “We thought we would bring him back to Romford. I don’t know if he is still a Romford dog but with the Golden Sprint around the corner thought we will find out.
“Whether he has lost his early pace a bit is something we need to see. Occasionally he looks like he has then occasionally it looks like he hasn’t. We need to see where he is at.
“He tore a whipped muscle in the Juvenile but has come back 100%. Last year he broke the track record at Peterborough so is running to his best.
“He will have no issues with Romford as he can run the track. If he gets away on Friday it will be hard to beat him.”
Coral make Kooga Klammer a 9/4 shot that should be taken. He is getting older but is showing no signs of slowing down. If he is still indeed a ‘Romford dog’ the 9/4 will look massive after the race.
La Soldado makes his Romford debut tonight in a winner of one standard over 400 metres at 9.11pm. The April ’16 whelp also makes his race debut for trainer David Pruhs after being in the care of Steve Race. Under Steve Race’s stewardship the son of Tyrur Big Mike and Pumpstreet Ciara won an open race at Sheffield over 480 metres. As he has not raced since that win back in December the drop down to 400 metres could be ideal for him. If taking to Romford he could soon be doubling his open race wins to two.
Trainer David Pruhs on La Soldado said: “We picked him up from Steve Race who retired. The owner would love a go at the Monmore puppy cup and that is the plan. I have my doubts whether he will get 480 metres but at Monmore it is quite an easy 480 metres so he might.
“We will start racing him at Romford then take him to Monmore if he is ready for it. I’m fairly sure he is short of race fitness. 400 metres will be ideal for him, a short four bend trip which is all about leading.
“He has ability but will soon see how much he has against some others.”
Coral make La Soldado a 7/2 poke and that should be considered. He does have race experience, been improving at Peterborough in trials and appears to have early pace.
Yarmouth Trainer John Mullins is another regular at Romford on Friday night’s and tonight gives Oh Armani his Romford race debut. The July ’16 whelp is practically still a novice with only two runs so far at home track Yarmouth. Both races were over 277 metres in D1 graded company where he finished second on both occasions. Tonight the son of Vans Escalade and Swift Elise is in the first heat of the Romford Friday night 500 maidens over 400 metres at 7.51pm. In a recent trial over C&D he clocked a very good time of 24.34 with a solid spilt time of 3.78. He is coming along nicely and it won’t be long until he sheds his maiden tag.
Trainer John Mullins on him said: “He is still a real baby. He trialled very, very well at Romford and will see how it goes. During his trial he didn’t leave the rails.
“We were looking for a puppy race for him at Romford but put him in a maiden instead. At present he doesn’t quite stay so the 462 metres at Yarmouth is not ideal for him. He might get stronger and will see.
“He is still only a baby and has only had two races and will take it one step at a time.
“The Golden Sprint next month is not on the menu at this stage, not even close to the menu but you never know.”
