It’s the semi-finals of the Coronation Cup at Romford tonight and regular readers of this column will know all about three of the runners still in the competition that have been covered recently. Tonight’s focus however is away from the category two competition and on greyhounds making their six and eight bend debuts.
Yarmouth trainer Paul Burr travels to Romford tonight from his Norfolk base with two greyhounds. Both are making their six bend debuts in the minor Romford Friday night 500 maiden stayers competition over 575 metres.
First up for ‘team Burr’ is Swift Sabbath in heat one at 6.44pm. The son of Superior Product and Swift Scrabble is yet to go further than 500 metres but the signs are there that he could get the trip. The July ’16 whelp has spent most of his career in the graded ranks at home track Yarmouth over 462 metres, winning two top grade races from his last five attempts. He clearly needs further and tonight will show whether it is six bends that he needs.
Trainer Paul Burr on Swift Sabbath said: “I’m pretty sure he will stay. I took the decision to step him up and take him to Romford after he won the graded Yarmouth Championship on Boxing Day. He was fourth going into the last bend and won it by half a length and was four lengths clear at the pick up.
“I can’t see why he can get it. I think he will get it quite comfortably. He has clocked around 28.00 at Yarmouth and that is very good at this time of the year.
“Trap six for him on Friday is perfect for him. All of his flashy times at Yarmouth have come from trap six and he seems to break better from there as well.”
The second runner for ‘team Burr’ is almost a carbon copy of the first one. Tullymurry Voice in heat three at 7.17pm runs from trap six, the same as Swift Sabbath and is also making her six bend debut. The February ’17 whelp like her kennel mate has also been on running on the Yarmouth graded strength winning in A3 and A2 company but unlike Sabbath, is yet to win an A1. The daughter of Head Bound and Bit View Emma looks like she needs longer and tonight’s trip of 575 metres could suit her..
Trainer Burr on Tullymurry voice said: “I have no doubt she will get 575 metres. She will definitely get it. In Ireland she powered home.
“She has come on leaps and bounds over the last five weeks and has clocked 27.95 at Yarmouth which is quicker than Sabbath. Breaking 28.00 seconds at this time of the year at Yarmouth is a feat in itself.
“Trap six is a perfect draw for her. She is a brace little bitch. She is a little thing but has a big heart. I couldn’t believe it when both got trap six.
“There is not much between both of them and I’m hopeful for both. If they qualify I would expect them to improve after having a look around Romford.”
Skybet are offering 8/1 for Swift Sabbath and 6/1 for Tullymurry Voice to win their prospective heats over 575 metres.
Drohobych Sunset for trainer Phil Simmonds is making her Romford six bend debut tonight in heat two at 7.03pm. The September ’15 whelp though has run over 686 metres at Towcester in graded races while in the care of trainer Kevin Hutton. From seven races over that trip the daughter of Razldazl George and Swift Blueboy won twice. The drop to 575 metres could be ideal for her as 686 metres appeared to stretch her but tonight’s trip could suit her. She has had two graded races at Romford recently over 400 metres in A2 graded company winning her last one by 2 ¾ lengths.
Trainer Phil Simmonds on Drohobych Sunset said: “The plan is to get her graded on over 575 metres. Tonight is a tough ask. Tonight is a trial to get her on the graded strength. She will get the trip alright but will have to wait and see.”
Skybet make Drohobych Sunset a 8/1 shot to win heat two tonight.
Raceway Fly makes her eight bend debut tonight over 750 metres tonight in the lucky last at 9.41pm. The July ’16 whelp has won an open race over 695 metres so there is good signs that the daughter of Romeo Recruit and Dons Fantasy will get the trip tonight. Over 575 metres she has been running against top greyhounds including the Coronation cup ante post favourite Barricane Carina. She won a top graded race over 575 metres last time out but it looks like longer trips is where her future lies.
Trainer Simmonds on Raceway Fly said: “She’s in good form. We are hopeful she will get the trip. It’s not much more than 695 metres at Hove. We are hoping she will run really well. We’re looking for a big run from her tonight.”
Phil Simmonds has nine runners tonight and was asked the cheeky question to who he thinks could go best. To that Simmonds replied: “Dower Forgold. He has come back well and is sound.”
Skybet make Raceway Fly 10/3 to win on her eight bend debut while Ladbrokes and Coral are top price 7/4 for Dower Forgold to win race 10 at 8.53pm.
