The Olympics may have finished but there are still twelve ‘Gold Medal’ opportunities tonight at Romford writes Rob Abrey.

With one graded and eleven open races on show from 6.09pm there is plenty to enjoy. As ever there are several greyhounds making their Romford debuts and stepping up in trip. Yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about three of them to help you get a ‘Gold’ tonight.

 

Droopys Exciting after only two races at Central Park on these shores is making his Romford debut for trainer Danny Brabon. The June ‘19 whelp has had both of his races over 265 metres in D1 graded affairs winning one and finishing second in the other. The son of Ballybough Mike and Droopys Cuckoo clearly has early pace and the step up to 400 metres tonight in a maidens race at 7.36pm could be ideal for him. If taking to Romford the early paced sort may not be a maiden for long.

Danny said: “He is not a brilliant trapper, but he has decent early. 400 metres will definitely suit him, it’s whether he is good enough at that level. In Ireland he did not seem a sprinter but looks a natural 400 metres dog. He looks like he has enough early, but whether he has enough ‘Romford’ early we will see. His trapping does let him down but he does pace up well to the first bend.

“He has won one sprint and was unlucky in the other one. He almost made the bend but found trouble. He does want trap six but five is fine for him. He won his race at Central Park from trap five. We don’t have any plans for him at the moment. We are going to take it one race at a time with him.”

Corals make him a 6/1 shot to win at Romford at the first time of asking.

 

Newinn Tik Tok for Hove trainer Patrick Browne is not only making his Romford debut but his race one on these shores as well. The December ’19 whelp goes in the Romford puppy cup trial stakes at 7.56pm over 400 metres. The son of Droopys Sydney and Newinn Boodles has had four trials, three at home track Hove and one over C&D.

Two of those trials were at Hove over 285 metres where from the first to the second one he shaved off sixteen spots to clock a very good calculated time of 16.31. In his first and only trial at Romford he clocked 24.53. Using his Hove improvement as a gauge he should improve on that considerably. He has early and 400 metres at Romford could be ideal for him right now.

Patrick on him said: “He still has got a bit to learn. He has only had a few races in Ireland. It is his first race with us, we will see how he goes. He has got a bit of early. He doesn’t get the 500 metres at Hove. We tried him over that trip and he struggled from the last bend. He may get stronger in age but that is not his trip at the moment.

“He is going well in trials. We thought we would have a go at the puppy cup. 400 metres could be ideal for him. We expect him to improve from his first trial at Romford. His sprint times at Hove were good. We are happy with trap six. Hopefully he will get a clear run round and show us what he can do.”

Corals are offering 6/1 for him to win on these shores at the very first attempt.

 

The Coral Regency runner up, Ragtime Arthur attempts his longest distance to date of 750 metres in a marathon race at 9.28pm. Trained by Theresa Dornan who has recently taken over the reigns from her daughter Sam West, the January ’19 whelp was incredibly unfortunate to get picked up on the line in the Regency final at Hove over 695 metres. Who was it who picked him up? The one and only Aayamza Royale. The son of Over Limit and Soho Ark is in cracking form and 750 metres looks well within his reach. He does have track experience at Romford with two runs over 575 metres back in January.

Owner, Steve Lemur on him said: “He should get the distance. I’ll be shocked if he didn’t. He gets 695 metres against top class dogs; surely he gets 750 metres at Romford.

“He was very unlucky in the final (Regency). A superstar caught him on the line. He is getting stronger and stronger and is only a January ’19 whelp.

“Ideally he will lead up in his race. I would rather him in one but two is okay. I make him a warm favourite for the race. We are looking at the St Leger at Perry Barr as the next possible target for him.”

Corals are 8/13 for the Hove raider to claim the spoils tonight.

 

Regular readers of this column may have had two winners last week courtesy of March On Leo and Harry Sagar. March On Leo was put up by Hove trainer Jamie Kingsley who he expected to go well. He certainly did when winning his race by 1 ¾ lengths returning an SP of 7/4. Harry Sagar is being lined up for the upcoming Puppy Cup by trainer Matt Dartnall and he showed his credentials when winning by 1 ¼ lengths returning an SP of 9/4.

It pays to follow this column.