After a one week hiatus your favourite read is back. You could watch a failed politician earn a lot of money by eating kangaroo never regions or you could enjoy the show at Romford. I’m about the latter all day long. With two category two competitions starting over 400 and 575 metres amongst there thirteen race card there is plenty to enjoy. As ever yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about three greyhounds stepping up in trip.
Coolanga Blizard is back to Romford three weeks after his first attempt at the Essex track. Trained by Crayford’s Allison Kelly-Pilgrim the January ’20 had his first race at Romford over 225 metres finishing fourth after early trouble. Tonight, the son of Droopys Sydney and Shes A Hurricane is back and attempting 400 metres for the first time in a maidens race at 6.43pm. He has had four races on these shores with three of them over sprint trips. His one and only four bend race was at Towcester late last year. He is a different dog since then and the 400 metres trip at Romford could be ideal for him right now. With previous experience around the Essex circuit, he could make it fifth time lucky to get off to winning ways.
Allison on him said: “He is definitely more suited to 400 metres. We were just bringing him back. He doesn’t have sprinters pace over 225 metres at a track like Romford.
“He is such a big dog and needs to get into his stride. That’s why we left him off early doors so he could grow into himself and mature. In his race he handled the track and bends well. He has no problem with the track.
“We have been patient with him. They say patience is a virtue. We are in no rush with him and will take it one race at a time with him. He has trap four and have no problem with that. We are happy with the draw.”
Corals are offering 12/1 for him to win at Romford over 400 metres at the first time of asking.
Those with sharp memories may remember reading about Crafty San Diego in your favourite column when he made his Romford race debut back in September. Trained by local handler David Mullins he duly won that race over 400 metres by three lengths in a calculated time of 24.18.
The February ’21 whelp has since had races at Oxford and Towcester over 450 and 500 metres but has not managed to follow that early win up. Tonight, the son of Droopys Jet and Cockyorconfident attempts six bends and 575 metres for the first time at 6.58pm in a maiden stayers affair. It looks like he has staying potential and with previous winning experience at Romford may not be a maiden stayer for long.
David on him said: “We’re not sure but think he will get it. He has had a couple of rough rides in his last few races and not had a clear run for a while. In his race at Towcester I liked what he did after the last bend and to the pick-up. After that we thought we would give him a go over 575 metres.
“We think he will get it but is not going over it to stay over it for now. It’s not a demanding distance and thought he could break and get himself in front. He’s not been getting it his own way and could do with a clear run for his confidence.
“Hopefully he gets a clear run, gets confidence and then aim him for the puppy derby at Towcester.
“Long term he will be over six bends but for now a clear run and confidence is the plan. That’s the thought process. He has plenty of ability and the start of a career is really important.
“He has trap four and is definitely a middle runner. We have tried him wide and middle but is definitely a middle runner.”
William Hills are top price 3/1 for the Romford raider to win over six bends at his first attempt.
After forty seven races over four bends, Olive Blossom for Harlow trainer Maurice Rice is making her six bend debut in heat three of the Coral Autumn Bonanza stayers at 9.28pm. From those forty seven races the March ’20 whelp has won fifteen with seven coming at Yarmouth over 462 metres and eight at Harlow over 415 metres. At Yarmouth she won an A1 graded affair and an open race.
To win that many races against natural four bend types shows the daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Drumcrow Blossom can hold her own early on. She has experience at Romford with three runs over 400 metres. Two of those were in December last year with the other last month. She is yet to win in those three attempts but if able to stay will be looking to shed her maiden stayers tag at the first time of asking.
Maurice on her said: “When we were at Yarmouth, she always seemed she stayed on to the pick-up well. At Harlow we are not so sure as it is over 600 metres to the drop. 575 metres at Romford seemed the right distance to try her.
“It is a gamble but we will take a chance and give it a go. Time will tell whether she will get the trip. She has a nice bit of early and hopefully will get away and we will see.
“She has run at Romford before and handles the track well. She doesn’t seem to get out the traps but hopefully will from the 575 boxes. She has trap four and that is fine for her. I would prefer her from three but from four she does have a vacant trap on her outside that can only help.”
On his other runner, Jura Go Max, Maurice said: “I’m more hopeful with Max. He’s in the 400 metres competition. He ran well last week when finishing second. Hopefully he can continue to improve.”
William Hills and Ladbrokes are 10/1 for the Harlow raider to win over six bends at the first time of asking after forty seven races over four bends. Corals and Ladbrokes are 4/1 for Jura Go Max to take the spoils in heat two of the Autumn Bonanza standard at 7.56pm.
Regular readers of this column may have had a nice 9/4 winner two weeks ago courtesy of Cooliogold. Trained by local handler Maxine Locke the novice dog won his first ever race by 5 ¼ lengths in an impressive, calculated time of 23.79. The May 21’ whelp is certainly one to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.
It pays to follow this column.
