A certain football match is taking place Sunday and what better way to kick off a weekend sporting bonanza than Romford. With twelve open races amongst their thirteen race card there is plenty to enjoy. Amongst those opens sees the start of the category two Coral Winter Bonanza maiden stayers over 575 metres over four heats. As ever there are several greyhounds making their Romford debuts and true to form your favourite scribe has found out more about three of them.
Smithy Sativa trained by Henlow’s Jason Gornall tackles Romford after fifty two races in a maidens race over 400 metres at 6.28pm. The majority of those have come at home track Henlow over 460 metres where the May ’20 whelp has won eleven. The daughter of Laughil Blake and Murlens Maura won her first A1 graded race last time out and heads to the Essex track in fine fettle. She has won three from her last four and the early paced sort could suit Romford down to the ground. 400 metres could be ideal for her and may not be a maiden for much longer.
Jason on her said: “She has got early pace. The thinking behind it is to how she handles it with other naturally early paced dogs. We took her to Oxford and she did quite well second time around clocking 27.69.
“She is all about the pace. Hopefully she will hold her own against the same type of early paced dogs. We are giving it a go.
“She is not a bang railer and although seeded as a railer, trap four could suit her. From traps three or four she can come out and then cut across at the bend.”
Corals are offering 11/2 for the pacey sort to win at Romford at the first time of asking.
Garnacanty Bingo for Henlow trainer Jason Gornall is not only making her Romford debut but her six bend one as well. The April ’21 whelp after one race on these shores at Towcester over 500 metres takes on the Essex circuit and 575 metres in heat four of the Coral Winter Bonanza Maiden Stayers at 9.28pm. In that race at Towcester the April ’21 whelp finished third by only three lengths. Although the daughter of Malachi and Silverhill Eva has only had one race over here she does have more race experience with three races at Clonmel over 480 metres. Longer trips could be where her future lies and she will be looking to shed her maiden stayers tag at the first time of asking.
Jason on her said: “She is relatively new to the kennel and graded well at Henlow. 27.81 is decent. In her race at Towcester she ran well clocking 30.20.
“Six bends will suit her style of running and we’ll sure she will get the trip. Whether she is open class right now remains to be seen. She is still a pup and has a good future. She was top lot at Yarmouth sales.
“She has not showed real early over four bends and six bends is where we want to be with her. She has a good draw in one and see how she goes first time at Romford.”
Ladbrokes are offering 7/2 for the youngster to win at Romford and six at her very first attempt.
