By Rob Abrey
With only a week before the Essex Vase starts over 575 metres, trainers are using this last week of open races to see what their charges are made of to see if they can make the grade. We have greyhounds stepping up and stepping down in trip to show their credentials before being entered for the category one, £10,000 to the winner competition. As normal I have endeavoured to find out more.
Many followers of the open scene have been waiting with baited breath to see the six bend debut of Peregrine Falcon. That debut is tonight around Romford in what could only be described as a red hot maiden. Trained by John Mullins, Peregrine Falcon is an absolute model of consistency and a total competition greyhound. His list of final appearances in England and Ireland need a scroll medieval style to read them.
The March ’13 whelp has reached both the Irish and English derby finals which show his pedigree. That first category one win however stills remains elusive and it could be over six bends where the duck is broken. On his six bend debut trainer John Mullins said: “I think he will stay. Some think he won’t. I could be wrong but unless you try you never know and there is only way to find out.
“If he stays then he will be entered for the Essex vase. I think he will be okay around Romford. He is a competition dog and Romford is not the hardest track to run and he should be fine without a trial around there.”
Ferryforth Fran, winner of the William Hills St Leger over 687 metres at Wimbledon recently is dropping down in metres to potentially have a tilt at the Essex Vase. Trainer Mark Wallis knows what it takes to win the Essex Vase and has earmarked the son of College Causeway and Diegos Lady as a possible entry. Clearly the March ’13 whelp can stay the trip but is he suitable to the 575 metres at Romford? Trainer Mark Wallis on Ferryforth Fran said: “There were not that many races for him to aim for at the moment so decided to take him to Romford. We will see how he gets on. He didn’t quite get the 750 metres at Romford last year but has trialled well over 575 metres in the past.
“We will see how he runs then make a decision. If I think he is not good enough to make the final then he will not be entered.”
Trainer Diane Henry travels down south today to test a couple of her charges over the Essex venues six bend trip. Giro Day is first up in a maiden stayers race at 7.47pm and looks like he could handle the six bend trip. Those who watched the Racing Post TV on Sunday would have seen the son of Kinloch Brae and Lacken Sylvia come second at Henlow over 550 metres as a 7/4 shot. Trainer Diane Henry on Giro Day said: “I don’t know what to make of him at the moment. For me there are still question marks over him. I’m still learning what makes him tick. I need to see a few good runs to see where we are with him. I’m not sure about his strengths or distance limits yet.
“We will see how he goes at Romford and take it from there.”
Thirteen Bags needs no introduction on the open scene and unlike Giro Day who is still learning his trade Thirteen Bags has the t-shirt. The November ’12 whelp has just turned four years old and is in great form. The son of Hondo Black and Quarterland Hope has been a regular at Henlow on Sundays recently and back in October won the Henlow maiden gold cup over 550 metres.
Trainer Diane Henry on Thirteen Bags said: “We will see how he takes to the track and handles the bends. If I’m happy he runs Romford then he will be entered for the Essex Vase.
“He is in the form of his life at the moment and is running out of his skin. Last year we re-schooled him after his form dipped. Since then he has run with credit and looked a different dog and full of confidence.
“He is four years old so time is running out with him so while he is in great form 575 metres at Romford could be right up his street and you don’t know until you try.”
ONECO SKY Photo: Steve Nash
Deviating away from the six bend trip and moving on to the eight bend trip over 750 metres Oneco Sky makes his Romford comeback. Trained by Kevin Boon, the September ’13 whelp won over 750 metres back in April and is on the comeback trail after a career threatening hock injury. The son of Shaneboy Lee and Blossom Princess tackles his second race after six months out with injury. So can he get back to winning ways I hear you ask?
Trainer Kevin Boon on him said: “He broke his hock badly and was originally going to retire him. The vet did a brilliant job with him and he healed fantastically. We gave him six months before trialling him and has done well since coming back.
“I would love him to do well in the marathon on Friday and feel he can get back to a good level.
“He had a rough ride last week (Crayford) and I may have pushed my luck with him giving him a trial on Tuesday before racing him on Saturday. I may not have given him enough time between running so you learn from your mistakes.
It is a massive achievement he is back racing but feel he is still 3 or 4 runs away from being at full fitness.”
