By Rob Abrey
It’s that time of the week again with the pinnacle of the Racing Post TV schedule – Friday night at Romford. As ever there are pups on show as well as a few new faces yet to taste the Essex experience.
As ever, we have been looking for the previously untold stories.
Trainer Elizabeth McNair, as reported in previous weeks, is becoming a regular feature at Romford. She again has two entries early on the card with two promising puppies. Last week the McNair kennels had a win with Queen Anna who won first time up and this week litter mates King Elvis and Queen Whitney will be looking to do the same.
First up is King Elvis in a maiden race at 6.55pm over 400 metres. Like last week King Elvis performs away from the Racing Post TV cameras and only for Coral and Ladbrokes patrons. The son of Tullymurry Act and Skate On is clearly well bred and one of several promising pups from the litter. The October ’15 whelp makes his race debut tonight after only three trials and will be looking at shedding his maiden tag at the first time of asking.
Trainer Rab McNair on King Elvis said: “He is a nice pup. I like him a lot. He has had his qualifying trials and hopefully he does what his litter sister did last week [Queen Anna] and does the business.
“His litter sister, Queen Paloma is with Daniel Barabon and she did the second fastest time on the card last week at Central Park.
“These pups are the fastest I’ve ever had at this age.”
In the following race at 7.12pm, is Queen Whitney in a maiden race over 400 metres. In front of the Racing Post cameras the litter sister of King Elvis will also want to show her credentials. The October ’15 whelp has had more trials than Elvis with six in total with three at Central Park and three at Romford. Her best trial at Romford of 24.54 seconds with a sectional spilt of 3.77 shows she is heading in the right direction and is one to watch.
Trainer Rab McNair on her said: “She probably got lost a little bit at Romford from trap six. I would like to see her go better. I think she has potential. It can take time at Romford and she could be one of those dogs that need trials at a track first.
“We are looking at the British Bred oaks with some of them but at the moment take one week at a time.
“They have really given me a buzz, especially as they are bred yourself.”
Asked what one could go better tonight, trainer Rab MacNair said: “Elvis is just a little more advanced than Whitney at the moment but it wouldn’t surprise me if she done the business.”
For improving puppies and with the litter clearly thriving under racing conditions the prices of 3/1 and 4/1 being offered by Bet365 must be considered.
The experienced Jennifer March is back at Romford with two greyhounds in 575 metres races. She has had many a winner at Romford over the years and knows what it takes to win around the Essex venue.
First up in the first heat of the stayers competition at 7.46pm is Musical Charm. The daughter of Hondo Black and Group Knowsbest will not have any problems staying the 575 metres having won over 714 metres at Crayford. The January ’15 whelp looks destined to spend most of her career over longer trips as staying looks to be the way forward for her.
Owner Clive Lefevre on Musical Charm said: “I used to have runners at Romford with Terry Duggan. It is her first time at Romford and think she will take to the track.
“We originally entered her for a marathon race over 750 metres but it didn’t fill so she’s in a 575 metres race instead. Were happy enough for her in a 575 race and her price will be big. The 575 metres trip is a bit short for her and will be surprised if she is with some of the others at the first bend.
“She can negotiate her run and get somewhere near at the end of the race. For me she is one for the tricasts.”
Musical Lyric is next up for trainer Jennifer March at 8.53pm for maiden stayers over 575 metres. The June ’14 whelp won her first race at Hove last week over 515 metres and will be looking to add to her maiden victory tonight. She is well drawn in trap three and has shown she has potential by dipping under 30 seconds at Hove.
Trainer Jennifer March on Musical Lyric said: “I bought her for my daughter Carol but I dislocated my shoulder at Mildenhall and that disrupted the preparations for her.
“I’m happy with her and went to Brighton with her. For her to break 30 seconds and still get beat by a short head was hard. The following week she came from behind and won. She did it the hard way and ran very well.
“I can’t see why she won’t stay the 575 metres trip. It is a new track for her but she is very laid back and will take it in her stride.”
The 3/1 being offered by Bet365 for a dog that can do it the hard way and should stay is a good price and should be on the shortlist.
