Joe’s Monmore Tips
Joe was a perfect 3/3 with his Romford tips on Friday, a 28/1 treble!
***NAP*** 9.04 – Swift Depot (5/1 Ladbrokes)
**NB** 8.13 – Vixons Filofax (6/4 Ladbrokes)
8.47 – Nowitsmyturn (10/3 Ladbrokes)
8.31 – Clona Curly (5/4 Ladbrokes)
The final week of trial stakes for the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and Summer Stayers have given us an absolute treat to look forward to this evening at the Wolverhampton track Monmore Green.
A mix of 480m and 630m races has provided the very best greyhounds over both distances all getting ready for a tilt at the Category One competitions starting next Saturday.
Aero to take off
We kick off with recent Oxford Pall Mall winner Aero Sacundai. He runs from trap two in the 7.06 over 480m. A Ladbrokes Winer Derby finalist over C&D so any concerns about Aero Sacundai not getting this trip too strong should have been put to bed with a 28.18 on the card back in the winter months.
He has a good draw to work from in trap two with the main danger Bockos Thunder on his immediate outside in trap three. A level break from Aero Sacundai can see him heading into next week’s competition with a win under his belt.
Destiny to tickle the clock
The 7.22 over 630m sees New Destiny trying to follow up last week’s demolition job. She starts from the same trap three where she went 0.04 off the track record held by Iceman Brutus when clocking a remarkable 12.26 sectional and an overall time of 37.11 (+30).
Gary The Arb is an interesting runner stepping up to six bends for the first time but this race entirely depends on what version of New Destiny turns up.
Most competitive race tonight
Recent Greyhound Derby Finalist Whyaye Man lines up from trap two in the 7.39 over 480m. A fast 480m track that wouldn’t play into his strengths, he still managed to make last year’s Ladbrokes Gold Cup final behind Links Maverick.
Whyaye Man finds himself in a competitive race with Derby quarter-finalist Cooliogold on his inside. There’s also Derby plate runner-up Kilara Roberto running from trap five so it is a challenging race for all.
2023 runner-up back for more
Probable Summer Stayers ante post favourite Droopys Clue goes in the 7.56 over 630m from trap three. Things didn’t go to plan for Droopys Clue in last week’s Coral Sussex Cup final. He ran a cracking race to only be beaten a length and a quarter behind Newinn Benni at Hove, however.
He needs to get around the first two bends unscathed as Wrighty on his inside will go up fast so as long as Droopys Clue avoids any early bother, he should have too much for the field.
Next Best at 8.13
Vixons Filofax can head into next week’s first round on the back of a victory in the 8.13 over 480m. He has found himself in a winnable trial stake from trap two if he comes away on terms. Bramble Elvis can be a hazard to Vixons Filofax should he miss the break but all being well a clean break from Brian Thompson’s charge can see him win.
8.31 sees Clona Curly take his chance over 630m. He found himself getting taken off his feet recently over four bends and passed his six bend debut with flying colours over Oxford’s 650m trip last week. The 630 trip here at Monmore should suit the dog and he can take this competitive trial stake.
Nowitsmyturn looks to have a shout at a good price in the 8.47 over 480m. He held every chance behind Breton Brigitte last Saturday. Although sandwiched between two early pace types in Droopys Request and Aero Pattika, I’m hoping he can run the first two bends without any bother. If doing so 10/3 looks a fair price for a game genuine sort.
Saturday’s Nap
The Nap of the evening is going to be the John Mullins-trained Swift Depot in the 630m at 9.04. Magical Luna and Savana Jackpot will head the betting but 5/1 looks a fair price for a dog who has every chance to lead from trap six if coming away with the slow-starting Hawk on his inside.
Swift Depot has posted 27.38 at Yarmouth winning open races and stepped up to six bends well when winning an S1 last week. If the inside dogs don’t get the clearest of runs, the race can go the way of Swift Depot who can lead and keep himself to himself out wide.
The final Gold Cup Trial stake can go the way of the locally trained Fine Thanks in trap six for Alan Jenkins. He can get the better of Headford Genius.
We finish the night with a competitive sprint. Recent Kent Silver Salver winner Magical Bluebear can give Bill Russell a winner to go home with Cree Jo Jo the main danger.
Oxford tonight
There are two heats of the BGBF British Bred Oaks taking place at Oxford this evening. Kevin Hutton is well-represented and can land both heats. Heat one at 8.26 can go the way of Southfield Poppy who will be tough to beat if coming away from an inside draw and Dreamin Francis in trap three can land the spoils in heat two at 8.43.
Monmore trials this evening
If the quality in the races was not enough, the trial session is packed as well.
Derby finalist Churchfield Syd is one of the stars on show. Newinn Benni arrives off the back of his Sussex Cup win and might be well suited to this easier test over four bends. Antigua Eagle set the second-fastest time of the year over 480m at Newcastle recently while Romeo Jackson has the fourth-quickest.
Star sprinter Bombout Bullet trials over 480m which is going to be an interesting watch. He has struggled over four bends on the rare occasions he has tried it in the past. He does hold the fastest of the year over 264m at Monmore so the track suits.
Romford Friday Report
New sprint fastest of the year for Tullymury Dylan last night.
Maxine Locke’s sprinter now has the three quickest times of 2024 over the 225m trip. Just half a length off Chopchop Rainbow’s 13.17 clock, he has won his last five starts.
Avarua Zlatan went quickest over 400m with a 23.76. He is out of a litter sister to multiple Category One winner Kilara Lion and a half-sister to Brinkleys Poet. Richard Ress’ charge is still a puppy and has a 26.69 at Oxford also on his card. Aero Convey clocked 23.78 for Paul Young while Romeo Cypher produced a blistering 3.61 split on his way to a 23.86 for David Mullins.
Over six bends, Mad for Stirling led the way with a 35.18 for Mark Wallis. It was also one of the races of the night after a great buckle with Nathan Hunt’s Untold Paanga with Romeo Hotshot not far off them for Craig Morris.
Sunday morning viewing
Thanks to Tony Smith for alerting us to a film due to be broadcast on SKY’s Talking Pictures channel on Sunday morning (7.40 am-8.05 am). (Freeview channel 82).
Entitled Running For Pleasure, the film’s synopsis says: “A look back to the 1970s when greyhound racing was popular and Private individuals trained greyhounds to run at nonregulated tracks known as ‘flapping tracks’.”
Tony adds: “ Noel Cronin the founder of Talking Pictures used to own a greyhound(s), so he was probably instrumental in the filming and production of this.”
Gift for a loved one?
We have been sent a photo of a “Rare Second-Hand 18ct Gold (1965) Greyhound and Puppy Seal Charm/Pendant”
For further details check out the link
https://www.richardtrussellejewellers.co.uk/second-hand-18ct-gold-1965-greyhound-and-puppy-seal-charmpendant
Opens
Saturday: Doncaster
Sunday: Towcester
Monday: Nottingham
