By Rob Abrey
It is here. After weeks of preparation the second running of the RPGTV Entain Track Championship starts Saturday morning. The four tracks of Crayford, Hove, Monmore and Romford under the stewardship of Entain battle it out for the coveted title of track champion.
The twelve race track championship held at Crayford this year with each race worth £750 to the winner has attracted top entries from each track. The morning meeting on Racing Post TV promises to be a belter.
The points system is first place takes seven points with second to last taking five to one point(s).
With a meeting like this yours truly has covered this instead of Romford on Friday as it felt rude not to. I have found out more about a whopping eight greyhounds, two from each track as well as trainers views of others on the card to help you with the interesting entries and to get a gauge of the teams.
Note – the form for all races is included but to allow for continuation of editorial, some races are produced out of sequence
Let’s start with Crayford. Luck Box Blue will be looking to get the home team off to a flyer in the opening race of the RPGTV Entain Track Championship at 10.37am.
For bitches only over 380 metres the Jim Reynolds trained local flies the flag for team Crayford in a bid to get the first prize and seven points. The November ’19 whelp has had seventeen races on these shores all in open class affairs winning twice. Those two wins came at Central Park over 265 metres where he also reached the final of the Silver Salver finishing third. The daughter of Bull Run Bolt and Sweet Shalimar is attempting to win over C&D at the fifth time of asking.
Jim om her said: “She’s a fast bitch and has not won as many as she should have. She’s not at the level of consistency as we would like with her. She has untapped potential.
“She ran really well to reach the final of the Silver Salver at Central Park. She has talent and pace. She has not won at Crayford but does run the track well. She just hasn’t won there but is showing beginning to show more consistency. She has trap two and that is better than trap one for her. We are really pleased with the draw.”
As a Crayford trainer and formerly at Romford as well, he was set the task to go through the card to see what he could come up with.
Jim took on the challenge and came up with this: “I love the puppy races and like to see how they progress in the coming months. In the 540 puppies at 10.53am I highlighted Jason Heath’s Seasonsblokidoki. He always gives a good account and won in good times at Hove. He trialled well at Crayford and the 3.63 sectional should stand him good stead. He is one to watch in the coming weeks and months.
“He has got to clear trap one ideally. He would certainly be an each-way option and be put in any forecast selections.
On the next one Jim said: “In the 11.09am James Turner’s Knockard Rory should get big points for James and Crayford. He did a very good sectional at Crayford last time out and has the early pace. It will take a good dog to clear him. He has to do it from the boxes.
On the last Track Championship race at 1.24pm Jim said: “It is an amazing race and the race of the competition. Well done to the Racing Office for putting it last as it’s so competitive. You can argue a case for all six of them. Our one in trap six, Rising Coco goes into in good form and is a young dog. He will needa bit of luck behind him to win it.
“In a clean run race, the winner should come from traps 1 or 2 (Kishlawn Shakira and Slippy Eva). That could be the forecast.”
Classy Black Act for local handler Dave Lee goes in the 540 Bitches at 12.54pm.
The September ’20 whelp has had all her eleven races on these shores at home track Crayford. Ten of those races have been over the standard trip of 380 metres where the daughter of Spoofer and Dark Sally won twice in A7 and A6 graded affairs. She has had one race over 540 metres in an open which she won by 9 ½ lengths. Team Crayford will be hoping that love affair with six bend trips continues Saturday.
Dave on her said: “She likes the track, runs the track and is a youngster coming on.
“Over 540 she really did pop out. This is a step up in class for her. She has to fly out the traps again. She has trap four this time and that is not a problem but she popped out from trap six when she won. If she does that kind of start again, she has half a chance.
“She will only win in this class off the front. “
On the other Crayford runners Dave said: “My other one, Corrin Logan has trap three but if he comes away he could win his race. The Gifkins dog, Burgess Hannah looks a really good chance from the Crayford runners.”
Last year’s winners Hove will be looking to retain the title and here is more on two of them.
Seasonsblokidoki (form above)for Hove trainer Jason Heath is not only making his Crayford race debut but his six bend one as well. In the 540 pups at 10.53am the May ’20 whelp is one of two Hove representatives in the race and will be looking to make his mark. The son of Portmageewiseguy and Garfiney Bolt has had all his nineteen races at home track Hove over 285 and 500 metres. Over 500 metres he has been going through the grades nicely with wins from A6 to A3. He now attempts 540 metres and Crayford for the first time. In a recent trial over 380 he showed all is well with a calculated time of 23.78. The early paced sort will be looking to make his mark early.
Jason on him said: “It is first race at the track and over six bends but I think he ran the track well in his trial over 380 metres. The first bend caught him out a bit, but he handled the track better and better with every bend.
“He needs to get on the bunny. If he does, he could take some pegging back. He needs to lead; he won’t be coming off the pace. We will know our fate early on with him.
“Off the front I think he will get the distance. He only just gets 500 metres at Hove but should get 540 at Crayford as you’re on the turn more. Trap two is perfect for him as he doesn’t hug the rails.
“We can see him getting a lovely run as there are three wides in the race and a slowish starter in one.
“The meeting is something different and it’s great to support it, were looking forward to it.”
On his other runners Jason said: “Only Maloney loves the place. He saves his best form for Crayford. He gets the trip well and has the pace to lead up. I would have preferred him inside of trap five but hopefully leads him up.”
Followers of open racing at Romford and regular readers of my ‘Round Up’ will know all about Newinn Tik Tok. Trained by Hove’s Patrick Browne the December’ 19 whelp at Romford has not only reached one category one final but two.
The son of Droopys Sydney and Newinn Boodles made the finals of the Coral Romford Puppy Cup and Coral Golden Sprint where he finished second both times. On Saturday he attempts Crayford for the first time in race conditions at 12.39pm in the 380 Dogs. The early paced sort showed in a recent trial over C&D that he can handle Crayford with a very good trial time of 23.27. If replicating or improving on that, then big points could be going Hove’s way.
Jade Browne, partner and assistant trainer to Patrick on him said: “He did a very good trial and took to the track really well. With a bit of luck, he clears the others and gets a run around the outside.
“He is in good form and the long run to the bend will definitely help him. He is a dream of a dog to train. He is not a natural sprinter and 380 and 400 metres plays into his hands.
“He still has everything to do but everything is in his favour. He needs to produce the goods.”
On their other runner Beaming Duchess, Jade said: “She did a really nice trial and is good enough to do well. The race for her is all about her leading. She likes the five box and definitely gets the distance. The stays 515 metres at Hove. She needs to put in one of her breaks.
“We are looking forward to the day and it is something different.”
Across The Field (form above) is the first of two Monmore raiders to be covered by yours truly. Trained by Kim Billingham the July ’19 whelp makes his Crayford race debut in the 380 Dogs at 11.09am.
The son of Farloe Rumble and Otherdetails has had the majority of his fifteen races over sprint trips. Over two bends the pacey sort has won at Monmore over 264 metres in an open and an D1 graded affair and at Nottingham over 305 metres. He had one four bend race recently over 400 metres at Romford finishing fifth after early bother. In a recent trial over 380 metres he clocked a calculated time of 23.73 and will be expected to improve on that.
Kim on him said: “He’s run at various tracks which will hopefully stand him well. He has proven open class form. He is a good little dog and we expect him to improve.
“He has a good draw [trap one] and if he comes away, he has a very good chance. He is our best chance from our four runners.
“Hopefully he will come on for his trial. The ideal scenario would have been a couple of looks especially at a track so different to Monmore but that’s not always possible. He is more consistent now than when he first came to us. 380 metres is a great distance for him in all honesty.
“It is a great event which we will always support if we can.”
On Monmore’s other runners and chances she said: “Tashade (form above) for Paul Sallis is a nice bitch and will hopefully come on after season. Our Deeteedee Slider will get the distance [874 metres]. He’s slowaway and comes from off the pace. He likes to chase.
“We’re outsiders to win it outright, we get it. We have put out our best team available and will enjoy it. We won’t win all the races but if we pick up decent points along the way may do well.”
Next up for team Monmore is Ballydoyle Luigi. Trained by Paul Sallis, the October ’18 whelp goes in the 540 Dogs at 12.24pm and will be looking to get big points on the board. Although running over 540 metres at Crayford for the first time, the son of Kinloch Brae and Fear Emoski is no novice over six bends.
He has won over 630 metres at home track Monmore in an open and raced at Romford over 575 metres. In his first run at Romford over 575 metres he finished second by just ¾ of a length to the very good Droopys Addition. Before that race over 575 metres he had one trial over 400 metres. He has done the same at Crayford with one trial over 380 metres clocking a calculated time of 23.89. If he mirrors his Romford form, he will improve dramatically for that trial.
Paul on him said: “540 metres is perfect for him. We were hoping he got trap one and he has. If he leads, he will take some catching.
“We were pleased with how he ran the track in his trial. It is a specialist track, so times are not important first time. The draw is all important with him and he has it. He keeps to the rails and I’ll be shocked if he led and got beat.
“Of our runners I would say he has the best chance. Hopefully he goes well and gets points for the team. We like these events and try to get involved where we can. It’s enjoyable and a good bit of fun.”
On his other runners Paul said: “Tashade (form above) was tapped up for this a long time ago but has just returned from season. It may be too quick for her. She has the early to overcome trap three but her lack of race fitness may get the better of her. She will still be hard to beat if she got on the bunny.”
Last year Romford went in the Track Championship as close second favourites. This year they again go into it as second favourites and will be looking to justify that.
The first of two to get the ‘Round Up’ treatment is Bang On Sonia who goes into the second 380 bitches at 11.54am in fine fettle. Trained by Nathan Hunt the Romford raider won her last race at the Essex track over 400 metres in an open affair. The daughter of Droopys Jet and Minister Hill raced over 380 metres at Crayford before but over hurdles in two races last summer winning one. Team Romford will be hoping she adds a flat win to her victory over the sticks at Crayford.
Nathan on her said: “She has winning form at Crayford by winning a 380 metres hurdle open a while ago. She is in good form at Romford and won last time up.
“Mark (Arkell) wanted her in the team. She has early and is quite strong she should get points. She is a bitch in form.
“Trap one is not the best for her as she does her best breaking from traps two or three but at Crayford that draw may be good. She stays further than 400 metres, more 450 metres.
“It is a great competition. The prize money is very good and were looking forward to it. The Ritzy dogs being taken out opened it up and we’re hoping to do the best we can.”
On his other runners Nathan said: “Doghouse Dazzler is our best chance of our three. He reached the final of the Peter Bussey at Crayford. He has a good draw and could go well. He was unlucky not to win last week. If he gets any kind of run, he has a good chance.”
Lightfoot Styles for Romford handler Michelle Brown has come in as an able replacement for the lame Crystal Emblem in the marathon at 12.09pm over 874 metres.
The May ’20 whelp attempts his furthest distance to date. His longest distance before this was 750 metres which he won recently at the first time of asking in an open at home track Romford. That bodes well going over 874 metres for the first time. The son of Eden The Kid and Russanda Rhona has had a recent race over 714 metres at Crayford finishing third behind Burgess Hannah who he renews rivalries with again. Over 874 metres he will be looking to reverse that defeat.
Michelle on him said: “We think he will stay. It’s an easier marathon trip than at some other tracks. Hannah (Burgess) beat her last time. He has got to trap and lead. He ideally needs to lead and hope he hangs on. He could reverse that defeat to Hannah,
“He got 750 metres at Romford well off the front and was still at the front at the pick-up. He is a railer of sorts so trap two won’t be a problem for him.
“Against natural marathon dogs he should have enough early. The race is a learning curve for both of us.”
On her other runners Michelle said: “Jennifer Ann has chances to win. It is not the hardest race and she trialled well at Crayford. She should come on for another look around the track. If she leads, she has a chance.”
Ladbrokes make Crayford 10/11, Romford 5/2, Hove 3/1 and Monmore 18/1 to take the second running of the RPGTV Entain Track Championship.
