The weather may be getting colder but what is not changing is open race action at Romford on Friday nights. The action continues tonight with the Champion stakes semi-finals the stand out races. Throw in the heats of the Mitch Millward marathon competition and we are set for a great night of viewing. As ever yours truly has found out more about one from each of the marathon heats and two others for your enjoyment.
Drumdoit Fortune for Yarmouth trainer Paul Burr makes his Romford debut in the opening race at 6.09pm over 400 metres. In a maidens only race, the August ’19 whelp will be looking to win his first open race at the fifth attempt. Interestingly all his open races have been over sprint trips at Yarmouth, Towcester and Central Park.
Over four bends the son of Droopys Roddick and Our Pebbles has won three times at home track Yarmouth over 462 metres in A2 and A1 graded affairs. He currently looks a bit in between distances and 400 metres tonight could be ideal for the pacey sort.
Paul on him said: “He grades well at Yarmouth and was really unlucky when finishing second to Signet Goofy who is a good sprinter.
“He has a lot of early pace and if he leads at the first bend I’m convinced he won’t get picked up. 462 metres at Yarmouth is far enough for him. 400 metres at Romford could be ideal for him if he takes to the track. He has bundles of early and looks the ideal Romford dog.
“He has trap four and I would prefer him nearer the rails. Trap two is perfect for him but if he traps on terms, he has enough early to overcome the draw. We’re looking forward to it and hoping for a big run.”
Mollys Princess is not only making her race debut on these shores but her six bend one at the same time. Local handler Gemma Evans knows what it takes to win over 575 metres and tonight has entered her in a six bend maidens race at the first time of asking. The unraced June ’19 whelp on these shores is not a novice in Ireland.
The son of Droopys Nidge and Casanova has had fourteen races winning three times. In her last race at Shelbourne Park she won over 686 metres in an open race. That bodes well going into tonight’s race at 6.28pm as 575 metres looks more than in her capabilities. It may not be long before she adds an open race win on these shores to her Irish one.
Gemma on her said: “The owner, Eddie Jones was really keen to see her over six bends so thought we would see what she’s all about. He bought her as a stayer. In Ireland she has won over further than 575 metres.
“We thought we would put her over 575 metres now as to be graded she would need more trials so thought we would go for it and give her a chance. It could work out or be a car crash!
“She has had three trials over 400 metres and over 575 metres we will expect her to improve. She is seeded middle but trap two should be fine for her. She stays pretty straight to the bend.”
It’s great that Romford host the Mitch Millward marathon every year in honour of the very popular Romford owner. Having known him myself, I know how much he is missed by the Romford faithful and the marathon is a fitting tribute for him.
In the opening heat at 8.38pm over 750 metres, Ballymac Brook goes over eight bends for the very first time. Trained by John Mullins, the August ’19 whelp was previously covered by yours truly when making and winning his Romford and six bend debut back in June over six bends. The son of Ballymac Bolger and Ballymac Bonnie will be looking to do the same over eight bends tonight. He has proven Romford form and the step up may be beneficial for the strong running sort.
John on him said: “It is worth a shout and is a good call. A 750 metres maiden would have been better but there wasn’t one, so it is what it is. We’re happy with the race. He has Romford experience and has been running on strong to the pick-up.
“He has trap two which is fine, but it doesn’t matter what trap he has as he has to lead. To be fair to him he has to lead. He will get the trip off the front. Everything is all good with him.”
Followers of the marathon open race scene will know all about Micks Little Gem. Trained by Michelle Brown the popular daughter of Superior Product and Mays Maska is back in action for the first time since March in heat two at 8.54pm. The July ’17 whelp has had four trials since returning including a spin at Towcester over 712 metres.
She is known more for her exploits over extreme distances and 750 metres is not a difficult ask for her. Notably she has won the Dorando over 905 metres at Nottingham and the Ladbrokes Boxing Day marathon at Caryford over 874 metres. She has however won this competition last year and will be looking to make it back-to-back wins.
Michelle on her said: “She is back after having a litter of pups seventeen weeks ago. The pups are amazing and she is an amazing mum.
“She is bouncing and enjoying it and is happy to go to racing. While she is happy, we will run her. It will take a couple of runs to get her race fitness back. If she qualifies for the final next week she will come on leaps and bounds for it.
“Her trials haven’t been great but she needs further. Her 712 metres trial at Towcester wasn’t great either but she was still running on strong to the pick-up. 750 metres isn’t really far enough but she won it last year and thought we would go again for it. She has trap six and that is her trap.
“All being well the Cesarewitch at Crayford over 874 metres next month is the target and she could go well. Crayford and Romford are her tracks. She runs both well.”
