We may be in the midst of a cold snap but Romford’s Friday night card featuring eleven open races will certainly help warm ‘the cockles’. With category three and two finals concluding amongst their thirteen race card there is plenty to enjoy. Away from the finals there are several greyhounds stepping up in trip at Romford and yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about three of them.
After one recent run at Romford over 225 metres Hawkfield Mia is now taking on 400 metres in a maidens only race at 7.18pm. In that sprint race the April ’20 whelp finished fifth after trouble. In her trial over that trip, she clocked a very impressive calculated time of 13.33 showing the talent is there. Four bends could be where her future lies and 400 metres at Romford could be ideal for her right now.
Although the daughter of Laughil Blake and Brownstown Tango has only had one race with Patrick Janssens she had a race back in November last year with then Irish trainer Jamie McGee at Towcester over 500 metres. In between those races she has won two open races at Shelbourne Park over 480 metres. Her recent trials suggests that she may not be a maiden for long especially over a short four bend trip.
Patrick on her said: “400 metres should suit her. We trialled and started her over sprints but is not a natural sprinter. A short four bend trip right now should suit her.
“We will keep her to Romford for a while but in time could stay 480 metres at Monmore and places like that.
“She has good early and looks very good. Her trial times were very good. She has trap four and that is pretty good for her. She is more rails than middle. She doesn’t want traps one or six.”
Ladbrokes and Corals are offering evens for the pacey sort to win over 400 metres at the first time of asking.
Foyle News after fifty three races at home track Yarmouth took on Romford for the first time over 225 metres in late November and was covered by yours truly. On that occasion the Paul Burr trained July ’19 whelp finished last and followed that up a week later with a fourth placed finish.
Tonight, the son of Good News and Kelseys Queen is back to the Essex track and tackles 400 metres for the first time at 8.17pm in a winner of one standard. With his early pace a short four bend trip could be more suited for him. At Yarmouth six of his ten wins came over 462 metres including several top graded affairs. 462 metres at Yarmouth looks a bit of a stretch for him but 400 metres could suit him down to the ground.
Paul on him said: “Hopefully his early pace can get him the lead to the first bend. He has been around the track in two sprints. We thought we would take a chance with him over 400 metres. He will get the trip.
“He has won over 462 metres at Yarmouth but it is a bit too far for him especially in the winter going.
“400 metres should be perfect for him. He has early and hopefully will show it against four bend types. We are hoping for a big run from him.”
On his other runners Paul said: “Laidbackpatsy has her trap. She is desperate for trap one and is a winner in waiting. We like her chances.”
Ladbrokes and Corals are 10/1 for the Yarmouth raider to make it third time lucky at the Essex track while Laidbackpatsy is 9/2 with the same firms to win her race at 7.18pm.
Romford regulars may know Gone To Rome. Before being put in the care of Hove trainer Belinda Green the June ‘20 whelp had several races at Romford over 400 metres with former trainer David Mullins. While in the care with David he won six races over the standard four bend trip including two opens and an A1 graded race. Tonight, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Queen Adele is back to the Essex track but goes over six bends for the very first time in a maiden stayers race in the lucky last at 9.42pm.
With Belinda he has already had three races, two at Hove and one at Harlow. At Hove first time up, he won an A3 over 500 metres showing his staying potential. He clearly has early pace and if able to stay may not be a maiden stayer for long.
Gary Whittington, assistant trainer and partner to Belinda said: “We are not sure whether he will get the trip or not. It’s a watch and observe sort of race for him.
“We entered him as the race we were going for at Harlow didn’t fill and he knows the track. He wasn’t quite suited to 400 metres but thought we would try him over 575 metres.
“He won over 500 metres at Hove in -50 going so should strip fitter for it. Hopefully he will trap and go clear. At different tracks he is quite trappy first time up.
“He ideally needs to go a long way clear as the last 50 metres or so there is big question marks over him. It could be a shut your eyes job coming off of the last bend.
“He has trap one and couldn’t be better drawn but it is a tough race as Minnie Bullet is in it who won the Puppy Oaks at Towcester recently.”
Corals are 4/1 for the former Romford regular to win over six bends at the his very first attempt.
