It’s Friday and that can only mean one thing: open racing at Romford. With seven amongst their thirteen race card there is plenty to enjoy. Several greyhounds are making their Romford race debuts and stepping up in trip and as ever yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about two of them.
Final Rocket is making his race debut at Romford and for trainer Ricky Holloway. In a maidens only race over 400 metres at 7.18pm the September ’20 whelp had his one and only race for Liz McNair at Central Park over 450 metres. In that race the son of Crash and Final Gem finished second by a short head. With Ricky he trialled at Romford over C&D clocking a good calculated time of 24.47. The youngster will be expected to improve on that.
Ricky on him said: “He had a run at Central Park with Liz McNair and rather caught my eye. He is a really nice youngster.
“He has only had one run but was pleasing on the eye. He did a really good trial at Romford for a September ’20 pup. He handled the track really well and 400 metres is no problem for him. He is a real nice dog.
“We plan to keep him to the flat for a while, but he will go hurdling eventually. He is 100 % genuine but everyone in our kennel knows how to jump!
“The draw [trap four] is a bit tricky for him as he does rail the bends. If he were to lead he would be hard to peg back.”
William Hills are top price 6/1 for the puppy to win at Romford at the first time of asking.
Droopys Artisan for Towcester trainer Patrick Janssens is not only making his Romford race debut but his six bend one as well. The June ‘20 whelp has had all of his nine races over 480 and 500 metres at Monmore, Towcester and Hove. His sole win came at home track Towcester over 500 metres in an open race and tonight he attempts Romford and 575 metres for the first time in a stayers race at 8.17pm. He clearly needs further and Romford and 575 could suit him down to the ground.
Patrick on him said: “He has been crying out for longer for a long time, since he was a puppy really. He should get further than 575 metres as well.
“He may not have enough early for Romford and will see how he gets the trip and track. We are going to see how he gets on over 575 metres in this class and build him up. In time he could be a Regency dog over 695 metres at Hove. The way he went to the drop at Hove after his race there last week he definitely will get 575 metres.
“He is definitely a stayer in the making. He has trap two and that is perfect for him.
“Our dog in one (Affleck Macy) has a very good chance in the same race.”
Corals are offering 4/1 for him to win over 575 metres in his first attempt over six bends.
Regular readers of this column may have had a nice 4/1 winner last week courtesy of Lightfoot Styles. Trained by local handler Michelle Brown the May ‘20 whelp was making his eight bend debt and repaid the faith put into him. He duly obliged to take the spoils by two lengths after taking over proceedings at the second bend.
It pays to follow this column.
