There is one day to go to the conclusion of six weeks hard graft for the Derby final. To tide you over until arguably the meeting of the year, Romford have put on fourteen open races for our enjoyment. There is a maiden stayers minor competition starting tonight and yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about one from each of the three heats.
Local handler Jean Liles knows what it takes to win a 575 metres contest at Romford. Tonight she’s tries two of her charges over the six bend trip for the first time in the Romford Friday night 500 maiden stayerscompetition. The two in question are drawn in different heats.
First up is Star Luck in heat one at 7.33pm. The November ’16 whelp is not only making his six bend debut tonight on these shores but also his race debut. After just two trials over 400 metres the son of Head Bound and Laughill Isabelle has been put over six bends at the first time of asking. He ran in Ireland just over twenty times so does have race experience and has won over 503 metres at Drumbo Park and 480 metres at Shelbourne Park in graded affairs. His trials over 400 metres suggest he needs further and 575 metres could be ideal.
Jean’s assistant trainer and partner Colin Creighton said: “I think he will stay. I think he will definitely get the trip. Staying is in the breeding and any dog that can do 28.81 around Shelbourne over 480 metres should get it, so we hope.
“We thought we would put him straight into a maiden and see what he does. We do think he stays. Trap two is ideal for him as he is a bang railer.”
Coral are offering 8/1 for Star Luck to win on his race debut on these shores.
Liles’ second untried charge over 575 metres is Chubbys Sean who runs in heat three at 8.06pm. The October ’16 unlike his kennel mate does have racing experience on these shores. The son of Tarsna Havana and Sizzling Sarah has had all of his twelve runs at Romford over 400 metres winning none at this stage. Running in A1 and A2 graded affairs against early paced sorts has not been ideal for him. Six bends looks where he may be more comfortable and getting a win over 575 metres looks more likely.
Colin said: “We think he will stay. He is very interesting. He has had a lot of problems which we have got to the bottom of. He was cramping a lot and that is now sorted. He had a bad gash on his foot which took a while to heal. He is over all that now and we’re expecting a nice run from him tonight.
“He did 24.46 over 400 metres before his problems and is a very nice dog. He is the litter brother of Magical Icarus and Skywalker Logan. He is fit and well and are looking for a very big run from him. He has his fitness back and trap three tonight is ideal for him.”
There is 4/1 generally for him to get on the winners podium at the thirteenth attempt.
Shaneboy Paschal is making his six bend debut in heat two at 7.46pm for Yarmouth trainer Kevin Boon. The May ’17 whelp has won over 480 metres at Central Park but is yet to tackle six until tonight. The son of ShaneboyLee and Shaneboy Dawn has shown in a recent trial over 400 metres that he has talent when clocking a calculated time of 24.08. He has been running against top four bend greyhounds and finding it tough early on. In his last race at Romford over 400 metres he came third behind Chopchop Hope who is an out and out short four bend specialist. Six bends could be just what he needs and against more natural stayers may be able to dominate early on.
Kevin on his charge said: “I don’t know if he stays 575 metres, I just don’t know. He’s in there to see what he does. He ran on strong over 500 metres at Nottingham so has potential.
“He is still only a May ’17 dog and looks like he will benefit from a longer run. He is pacey and if he leads will find out if he gets the trip. We will have to wait and see.
“Trap two is a good draw for him. He likes it from there.”
Skybet is 15/8 for Shaneboy Paschal to win on his six bend debut.
Regular readers of this column may of had a nice little winner last week curtesy of Tarsna Belle. Trained by Crayford’s Mark Fenwick she duly obliged at an SP return of 5/2. Those who took early prices could have got 4/1.
It pays to follow this column.
