By Rob Abrey
With a Friday night Romford card featuring a maiden competition there are plenty of questions that need answering over a few of tonight’s entries. We have been on the case and here are a few of the the answers.
How Shutthe Backdoor trained by Brian Thompson of Belle Vue still qualifies for a maiden race is a mystery to me.
The son of Droopys Scolari and Give Some More recently reached the final of the All England Cup at Newcastle over 480 metres and back in 2015 reached the semi finals of Irish Greyhound Derby. This dog is no maiden in theory but as he has never won in this country from nine races owing to the fact most of his racing has been done over in Ireland he is.
Trainer Brian Thompson is taking advantage of that fact and has shrewdly entered him for a little maiden competition over 400 metres. Most of his races however have been over stern four bend trips, so will the drop to a shorter trip help the May ’13 whelp?
Thompson said: “He doesn’t stay the 480 metres trip as he got picked up twice during the heats of the All England Cup at Newcastle so Romford should suit him well.
Shutthe Backdoor (t2) finishing third to Starring Storm (t3) and Bubbly Turbo (t4) in the 2016 William Hill Derby 1st Round. Photo: Steve Nash
“We haven’t trialled him at Romford but in my opinion the bends at Belle Vue are very similar and he handled them well so should be suited there. Every dog we have brought down from Belle Vue in the past has handled Romford well so he should be no different.
“We are lucky he is still a maiden and if he gets in front I will be surprised if he gets beat.”
Central Park trainer Bob Pattinson makes his weekly trip to the Essex track with Pass To Go but this week has brought re-enforcements with him. He has a runner in the first three races and trainer Bob Pattinson has given his opinion on each of his support act.
Franco Bound in the first race over 225 metres has just hit his fourth birthday and is making his open race debut after eighty graded races around Central Park. Trainer Bob Pattinson on Franco Bound said: “He wasn’t down to race at Central Park this weekend so thought we would enter him at Romford and see what happens. He will go off a big price but you never know. He is a railer so has the right draw but this will be hard for him. He has early pace but is up against natural sprinters.”
Norths Red Hot in the 7.47pm, contests in the maiden stayers over 575 metres. The June ’14 whelp has raced twenty one times and has interestingly run twice previously over C&D at Romford to no avail back in May. The son of Droopys Cain and Spirit Sea Queen has had three graded races over 642 metres at Central Park winning one.
Trainer Bob Pattinson said: “He ran at Romford back in may but just didn’t take to the track. He is a decent little dog so will hopefully run better this time around. He stays really well and is first to the drop at Central Park so will see how he goes.”
Ravestock Vic in the 8.02pm over 400 metres, unlike the others has proven form over C&D by winning an open race back in July. His recent calculated trial time of 24.32 shows he is in fine fettle.
Trainer Bob Pattinson on Ravestock Vic said: “He has clocked sub 29 times on several occasions around Central park and that is very good. He has been off for three weeks and his first trial back was very pleasing. His trial on Tuesday was one of the fastest of the session and he has taken to the track well.”
