By Rob Abrey
The Essex Vase is a becoming a distant memory and while the dust begins to settle up pops the Coronation Cup. Starting on Friday 30th December over 575 metres the £5,000 to the winner competition will see many of the regulars that competed for the Essex Vase entered while a few new faces will appear before the start.
With a couple of maiden stayers events tonight, a few trainers are already planning for the Coronation Cup. Yarmouth’s Kevin Boon has entered three greyhounds for the two maiden stayers races to see what his charges are made of. As usual I have found out more.
Shaneboy Freddie in the 8.18pm is without doubt the most interesting one of the night. The July ’13 whelp makes his six bend debut tonight and for those who remember was unlucky to be eliminated from the semi-finals of the English greyhound derby when coming fourth. He has consistency and enough early to live with true four bend dogs so on paper could be a player over six bends. The son of Oaks Road and Shaneboy Sophia clocked a calculated time of 24.10 in a solo over 400 metres in early November so looks to be able to run Romford well enough.
Trainer Kevin Boon on him said: “I’m not 100% sure he will stay but think he will. If he does stay and with his earlypace he will definitely be entered for the Coronation cup.
“It is his six bend debut on Friday and we are going to see what he is capable of.”
In the romforddogs.com maiden stayers over 575 metres at 7.47pm, Kevin Boon has entered two to see there staying potential. Bridal Way drawn in trap one for tonight has been consistent over the four bend trip with two recent calculated times of 24.34. The daughter of Droopys Scolari and Boyneside Walk has earlypace which would be useful if she stays. Boon said “I wanted to try her and see what she could do over the longer trip. After her recent run over 400 metres she showed so much pace to the pick-up I thought I would try her over six bends.”
Quivers Camps in the same race is another making her six bend debut and those who have been watching her will have been waiting for her to step up. The May ’14 whelp has been around Romford in a best calculated time of 24.04 so has the necessary earlypace many like in a greyhound around Romford. Boon said “She runs Romford well and runs on really strong so thought she would suit the six bend trip well.”
Moving away from stayers maidens, High St Bud in the opening race at 7.31pm over 400 metres is looking at shedding his maiden tag at the first time of asking. The February ’15 whelp trained by Kevin Boon has only had two trials on these shores and around Romford over C&D clocked a calculated time of 24.54.
Kevin Boon on High St Bud Said: “He is a puppy I had my eye on in Ireland. He is a nice big 35kg brindle dog with earlypace. His split of 3.84 at Romford wasn’t bad at all. I think he will take to the open scene. He is a natural wide runner and stripes on Friday will be good for him.
“He needs a few more races so will be looking at getting him a few quick runs.”
