Regular Romford columnist Rob Abrey has incorparated his popular ‘Round Up’ format to look at some of the races on tonight’s supporting card.
After four weeks of racing, it has come down to one race to decide who wins this years Greyhound Derby. Last year taught us any of the six can win it and the final remains wide open. It is the supporting card however that receives my attention tonight. On the supporting card there are several greyhounds making their Towcester debuts and some returning after lengthy periods. In keeping with what regular readers expect in Rob’s Romford Roud Up, I have endeavoured to find out more about some of them for this one off Towcester round up. With such brilliant racing taking place it seemed rude not to.
Sprint star Kilmore Lemon is back after a freak toe injury stopped him competing in the final of the Golden Sprint back in March. Up until his withdrawal the February ’16 whelp was unbeaten and favourite for the show piece final. Trained by Central Park’s Patrick Janssens the son of Taylors Sky and Lemon Lucy has been nursed back to full fitness and attempts to get back to winning ways tonight. In the Star Sports Derby sprint at 6.48pm over 260 metres he has had a recent trial over C&D and is already looking like his old self. His calculated trial time of 15.23 seconds can be expected to get better.
Trainer Patrick Janssens on Kilmore Lemon said: “He broke his toe before the Golden Sprint final at Romford. His toe has healed and is fit and ready. He has come back and has done fantastic trials. Unbelievable considering his injury. At Central Park his 16.30 sprint time is one of the fastest of the year.
“His 15.13 [+10] sprint time at Towcester was very good. He beat a very good dog by five lengths. It is a top, top class sprint on Saturday but it has come a bit early for him. He ideally needs one or two races first but there is only one derby night a year.
“I do think he can do better on his sprint time at Towcester. It is a very hard race but if he pings the lids he has a chance. I would have fancied him in two or three races but you never know.”
Coral and Ladbrokes make Kilmore Lemon a 9/2 shot. That feels a bit big even though he is a bit short of races. If leading he will be extremely hard to beat.
Newinn Jet is a puppy with bundles of potential and could showcase his talents tonight in the Star Sports Derby puppy stakes at 7.08pm. Over 480 metres the September ’16 whelp has had two recent trials over C&D with vast improvements between them. After his first look around he improved his time by twenty two spots. If further improving tonight the son of Kinlock Brae and Newinn Expert could be a major player. In his second trial he was pitted against the inform and recent Regency winner Clares Kyletaun, who took 479 metres to get to him to win by a neck. Going into tonight’s race in such form and with a great trap draw could prove crucial.
Trainer Patrick Rosney on Newinn Jet said: “We were hoping for trap one and are of course are happy he has got it. He has had two trials around Towcester but has not broke as well as he can from the curved traps. He has struggled at the boxes and in his first trial charged at the traps before they opened. In his second trial he came out much better.
“We were very pleased with the trials though. In one he was against Clares Kyletaun who is in exceptional form. It took him the whole trial to get to Jet and only won by a neck. It was big ask for a pup and he did well.
“All races on Saturday are very hard and were more hopeful than confident. If he got to the first bend in front we would be very hopeful.”
Skybet and Corals make Newinn Jet 7/2. That should be considered. His trial times were great, has a perfect trap draw and processes lots of early pace.
Those who follow the open race scene will definitely know the name Clares Kyletaun. Trained by Swindon’s June Harvey the July ’15 whelp has been exceptional of late. The son of Ballyana Foxtrot and Lughill Marie won the Regency at Hove over 695 metres unbeaten, not an easy feat. He goes into tonight’s Star Sports Derby Stayers race over 686 metres as favourite and rightly so. He is the only seed in the race and if getting a clear run could keep favourite backers happy.
Trainer June Harvey on her kennel star said: “He has had a couple of trials around Towcester and ran well. I’m not counting my chickens yet as every race is difficult. Mark [Wallis] will fancy his Rubys Rascal to win as well.
“Towcester is not a lucky track for us. Last year on finals night Fizzypop Buddy got beat by a short head.
“It would be lovely if he wins but I’m not expecting it. I hate going into a race as favourite but he will do his best. We will keep our fingers crossed and as long as he gets a clear run and avoids any trouble he could do well.
“He has had cramping issues and that is all sorted while he is racing, especially in nice warm weather.”
In a first for the Greyhound Star, on future plans for Clares Kyletaun, Harvey said: “He will go to Ireland with Pat Buckley and have a few runs in Ireland.” Watch out Ireland.
William Hills make Clares Kyletaun a stand out 4/5 shot. For those who love a ‘shorty’ that is the price for you. He is in such good form has done some nice trials at Towcester and has a great draw.
It’s brilliant that the Dorando marathon still takes place every year on Derby finals night even though it’s not at White City any more, the scene of athlete Dorando Pietri 1908 Olympic expolits. It’s a yearly tradition that I for one love and hopes it will continue for years to come. Adamant Jim, trained by Sheffield’s Phil Barlow will be trying to add his name to the long list of former Dorando winners. Over 906 metres the Star Sports Dorando Marathon is at 8.44pm and the October ’14 whelp will be making his second attempt at claiming the spoils. The son of Kinloch Brae and Chickaboom ran in it last year and came fifth after finding trouble with Jaytee Patriot. He is back this year and has already had a trial over C&D clocking a good time of 55.88 seconds.
Trainer Phil Barlow on Adamant Jim said: “He ran well. I’m over the moon with his trial. He normally comes on twenty or thirty spots after his first look so were expecting a big run.
“Running him at Sheffield in handicaps has done him the world of good. He needs 700 metres plus but 660 metres handicaps keep him ticking over.
“We have targeted him for this since last year and thought he would be better this year. He was a tad unlucky last year when Jaytee Patriot pushed him onto the grass.
“We fancy him a little bit. It is a tough race but with a bit of luck he has a good chance. He has run over 906 metres recently and nine days is no problem for him, He keeps himself fit.”
Betfred offer 13/2 for him to take the spoils and that is tempting. He has proven form over the distance, is running well and is expected to improve for his recent look.
