The Greyhound Derby starts tonight as if you didn’t know. It has been covered in many angles by your favourite website. As ever though this column is dedicated to Romford and nothing changes tonight and as normal the Essex track have put on twelve open races for our enjoyment. Although in the shadows of the classic there is plenty to enjoy. With several greyhounds making their Romford debut yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about some of them.
Local handler David Mullins knows exactly what it takes to win over six bends at Romford and tries Rough Star over 575 metres for the very first time tonight. He is in a maiden stayers affair at 6.44pm. In race conditions the furthest the November ’15 whelp has been tried over is 480 metres at Central Park and Monmore, winning one at the latter track. The son of Droopys Jet and White Star has had a recent trial over C&D clocking 36.00 seconds. More importantly his sectional time was 13.56. That was electric and if able to improve on his end time he will be a player tonight with such early pace.
David said: “I honestly don’t know if he stays. It’s difficult to gauge from the trial. Some greyhounds take three runs to take to a longer trip. Most dogs have the ability to stay but to what level. It could be S1, S2, minor opens or top opens. In this case more likely S1 to minor.
“We will have a better idea after the race on Friday which is s bit of a fact finding mission.
“He has bundles of early and has a good opportunity to lead which will give us a better indication. He had trap four and that is ideal for him.”
On all his runners tonight when asked who could go well he said: “Droopys Gavin has a chance if he bangs out. Up Above has a great chance of opening up his open account on Friday.”
Skybet make Rough Star a 4/1 shot to win over six bends for the first time. Droopys Gavin is 7/1 with Skybet to win heat one of the Friday nightstandard over 400 metres at 8.38pm. Up Above is 13/2 with Skybet to take the spoils in the 7.33pn over 575 metres.
Ballyrobin Patie makes his race debut on these shores tonight for unattached trainer Grant Carney in a maidens affair over 400 metres at 7.03pm. The April ’17 whelp although making his race debut over here has had race experience over the water. The son of Head Bound and Ballyrobin Venus reached the final of the All About Ya unraced stakes final at Waterford over 480 metres finishing last. He clearly has early pace and 400 metres could be ideal for him tonight. He has had a recent spin in a trial over C&D clocking a decent time of 24.53 and will be expected to improve on that.
Grant Carney said: “I’m very excited I’m really looking forward to it. I love Romford and the place is the Premiership of greyhound racing.
“I had Always A King last year but wanted to learn more so I become head kennel hand to Paul Clarke of Harlow which was a fantastic experience. I was then offered to work with Jason Bloomfield and I couldn’t turn it down.
“I still had the urge to be a trainer in my own right and was waiting for the right dog to come along. That has happened and I was excited to be offered him. He has nice times at Waterford and know he can run. He is a big lovely dog and has settled in really well.
“He could be something special and did a decent trial and he should improve on that. I’m over the moon he has been drawn trap one. It’s a competitive race but he has a good chance. As a trainer I’ve never won at Romford but he is my best opportunity.”
Skybet make Patie a 7/2 shot to win first time up on these shores.
Regular readers of this column may have had two winners last week curtesy of Kevin Hutton. Of his three covered last week, Ballymac Camdon and Burgess Lucia obliged at SP returms of 3/1 and 11/8. When asked of his three he thought could go best he said “….Burgess Lucia. She is a lovely little bitch and looks the more natural Romford dog of the three. She could do really well at the track. Camdon could go well. He could either win first time up or need the race.”
He certainly wasn’t wrong with both taking the spoils. This column keeps you in the know.
