After a one week hiatus your favourite read is back. To help fill the gap between now and the English Derby quarter finals Romford host the Coronation Cup final. The category two competition has been full of thrills and spills with the final six now contesting for the spoils. Regular readers of this column will know all about one of the finalists, Wentworth who was covered by yours truly in March before his first six bend race.
Away from the £5,000 to the winner competition, a maiden stayers competition over 575 metres is starting tonight from 7.36pm. What better way to compliment the final by finding out more about three greyhounds starting their six bend journeys, especially with the Champion Stakes on the horizon.
Local handler Nathan Hunt knows what it takes to win over six bends and tonight tries his charge Storys Peewee over 575 metres for the very first time. In heat one of the Romford Friday night maiden stayers the July ’19 whelp will be looking to win over the extended trip and at Romford at the first time of asking.
The son of Over Limit and Kittys Box has proven form over 500 metres at Towcester by reaching the final of the Matchbook Maiden Derby. In that final he finished fourth after early trouble. Although making his Romford debut as well as his six bend one he showed in a recent trial over 400 metres all is well when clocking a calculated time of 24.33. His four bend pace could prove vital in his race tonight.
Nathan on him said: “He has run over six bends in Ireland at Shelbourne Park and Clonmel although the trip at Clonmel looked a bit stiffer than he wanted. The 686 metres at Clonmel looked a bit too far for him but 575 metres could be ideal for him right now.
“He should get the distance and 630 metres at Monmore is probably his ideal trip and track as the short run to the bend will help him as he a quite trappy. The Summer stayers is a target.
“He is very trappy and has good four bend pace but does lack a yard of early to the bend against four bend dogs. Hopefully against six bend runners he will get a run around the first couple of bends.”
On his other runners Nathan said: “Bang On Harry is in a maiden. He ran well when last at Romford a couple of weeks ago. He could go well again.”
Ladbrokes are top price 11/10 for him to win at Romford and over six bends at the first time of asking. Bang On Harry is generally available at 4/1 to win his race at 6,58pm.
Restless Lass is making her Romford race debut for Henlow trainer George Murphy but not her six bend one in heat two at 7.56pm. The August ’18 whelp has already had one race over 592 metres at Harlow finishing third. At home track Henlow the daughter of Ballymac Matt and Pennylane Lace has won an open race over 550 metres which bodes well before going over 575 metres at Romford for the first time.
Over 460 metres at Henlow she has won several A2 graded affairs and an open race showing she can hold her own against more natural four bend sorts. In a recent trial over 225 metres, she clocked a calculated time of 13.99 showing all is well.
George on her said: “When she ran at Harlow the commentator said she ‘came from another Post Code’. That was what he said, that was his opinion. She does finish strong and should get the trip. We are hopeful.
“We were happy with her trial. It was her first time at Romford and she ran the track well. She has trap two and that is fine for her. She has run from trap two at Henlow plenty of times.
“Over 460 metres at Henlow she is a bit slow away and finishes strong but has too many seconds. There are not too many 550 metres at Henlow at the moment and that is the distance that gives her the best chance to win.
“She has won opens over 460 and 550 metres at Henlow and has held her own against four bend dogs. Fingers crossed she runs well. We are hopeful.”
Several firms are offering 11/2 for the Henlow raider to win at Romford first time up.
Nolas Whiskey after twenty four races at home track Romford over 400 metres is tackling six bends for the first time for in heat three at 9.17pm. Trained by local handler Michelle Brown the April ’20 whelp has won seven times in A7, A6, A4 and A3 graded affairs; a good win percentage of 29.17%.
The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Nolas Meg certainly looks like she needs further and six bends could be where her future lies. She goes into the race in fine fettle after winning her last race against A3 graded company.
Michelle on her said: “I think she will stay. She always does her best running in the last half of her races. The plan was always to step her up. We trialled her at Sheffield over 500 metres and she got that trip well. All the signs are there that she will get the trip. If you don’t try you will never know.
“She can pop out the traps but can get caught out early over four bends. She has trap three and that is the box I would pick for her. We are happy with the draw and can hopefully put herself in a good position. We will see how she goes.”
She is generally available at 5/2 to take the spoils over 575 metres at the first time of asking.
