By Rob Abrey
It’s that time of the week again when Romford stages it weekly fourteen open race card.
With several maidens taking place including a maiden competition over 400 metres there are many interesting greyhounds on show with plenty of value to be had. As ever yours truly has found out more about some of them.
Elizabeth McNair has two runners in the first two races and will be away and gone before the cameras start rolling on Racing Post TV. Those races however are available to watch at any Coral or Ladbrokes shop and it may be worthwhile doing so.
Queen Anna in the opening race at 6.36pm over 400 metres for maidens makes her race debut around the Essex venue. The novice has only had four trials, three of which have been around Romford with her last two trials over C&D in calculated times of 24.62 and 24.57. The daughter of Tullymurry Act and Skate On is well bred and if keeps on improving could be one to keep an eye on.
Trainer Rab McNair on her said: “I think highly of the bitch. It is her first ever race and for me did cracking trials at Romford. We aim to run her at Romford for a couple of weeks then take it from there.
“The whole litter is very good and long term we will be looking at the puppy oaks for her. She is well bred from Tullymurry Act and Skate On and have high hopes for her.”
Queen Asia steps up next for trainer Elizabeth McNair in a sprint race over 225 metres at 6.55pm. Those who follow the open scene will not need any introductions to the October ’12 whelp as last year she ran in five finals winning the British Bred Oaks at Doncaster. She has shown she clearly has early pace and can mix it with the sprint types by reaching the British Bred Sprint final at Wimbledon over 273 metres last year. The daughter of Droopys Scolari and Shaws Dilemma is back after a seasonal rest and could get back to winning ways.
Trainer Rab McNair on her said: “She’s not a bad bitch, very versatile. She is very well bred and she was going to be mated in Ireland but gave it a miss as we haven’t got the kennel space at the moment for pups.
“Since she was in the kennel and 100% ready and we planned to go to Romford we thought we would take her as well so she could earn her keep!
“She is not in the same league as some of the others in this race but as we were coming thought we would bring her.
“We will be looking at British bred races and veteran races for her further down the line.”
Piemans Bullet in the opening heat of the maiden competition over 400 metres at 7.12pm will be looking to shed its maiden tag at the first time if asking. Trained by local handler David Mullins the March ’15 whelp has solid form in Ireland and has won over 480 metres at Cork so staying should not be an issue. The daughter of Romeo Recruit and Allowdale Nokia has had three trials on these shores and has proven he has consistency with decent calculated times of 24.42, 24.32 and 24.33.
Head of the Piemans Racing Club, owner Jim Parker on Piemans Bullet said: “I was contacted by the breeder about him and was interested. He is the litter brother to Jaytee Samurai who won the Comerford Cakes at Shelbourne.
“I was told the dog was a railer and didn’t like the cold weather so after a break he did a good trial at Tralee so I decided to buy him.
“He has done nice trials but would have been happier in trap one tonight. It is his first race in front of a noisy crowd at Romford and hope he copes well and qualifies. We will find out what we have in the next few weeks.”
Piemans Bullet is available at 7/2 with Bet 365 and Paddy Power and for an improving dog and clearly good breeding should be considered.
Piemans Ace follows his kennel mate in heat two at 7.29pm and will also be looking to lose his maiden status. Again trained by David Mullins the March ’13 whelp is no youngster but can still teach these whipper snappers a thing or two. The son of Ace Hi Rumble and Watch Out Jess has yet to win an open over 400 metres at Romford in three times of asking but has won a top graded race in a calculated time of 24.21 which shows he can run Romford.
Owner Jim Parker on Piemans Ace said: “He is an experienced dog and has not been able to get a clear run at Romford.
“I would prefer him from trap two tonight but if he gets out and round he has a good chance. He has found trouble in his previous races which has been a learning curve for him. He did very good times in Ireland so hopeful he can qualify.”
On paper Piemans Ace looks well drawn and if he can bully himself a decent position at the first bend the 2/1 on offer at Bet365 should be snapped up.
Cabriol Madison in the third heat of the maidens competition over 400 metres is an interesting entry by trainer David Pruhs. The daughter of Paradise Madison and Blackeyed Beauty clearly has early pace and can clearly stay the four bend trip at Romford. The January ’15 whelp has been running at Peterborough over 435 metres in graded races and has won three. Her last two races at Peterborough have been victorious in A3 and A2 graded company.
Trainer David Pruhs on her said: “She needs more than 400 metres but I wouldn’t be sending her to Romford if I didn’t think 400 metres would suit her.
“She is a bit wider than I would have liked and would have preferred her from traps three or four. It is her first look at Romford but if she gets in front she has a good chance. I would say she is capable of 24.10 seconds around Romford. Hopefully she will qualify but if she doesn’t will probably be back next week for another maiden.
“I was contemplating trying her over 480 metres as I think she will get that.”
For a greyhound in fine fettle and with early pace the 6/1 being offered by Paddy Power is very tempting and shouldn’t be dismissed.
