It’s Friday and that means open racing at Romford writes Rob Abrey. We are at the semi-final stage of the Champion Stakes and only a week away from the grand reopening of the new main stand. With the Coral TV trophy starting next week over 925 metres I have endeavoured to find out more about potential entrants for those competitions.
Central Park trainer Robert Emery is at Romford tonight with three of his charges. All three are in 750 metres races with a view to being entered next week for the Coral TV Trophy.
First up for ‘team Emery’ is Roseville Eva. The September ’17 is still a puppy for one more day but is already contesting eight and ten bends. The daughter of Romeo Recruit and Dundrum Pearl has won over 714 metres at Crayford, her sole win in nine attempts. Tonight she makes her Romford debut over 750 metres at 9.08pm but has run over further so stamina issues should not be a problem.
Robert on her said: “If she takes to the track then hopefully she will go for the TV trophy next week. She is two in September so is still only a baby. She definitely gets the trip tonight. It is whether she is quick enough!
“She raced against Rockmount Mint recently at Crayford over 874 metres and kept with her to the pick up she is definitely a stayer. She has a bit of early and can lead from the front. In her last race at Crayford she found trouble at the start and I worked out she lost eight lengths.”
Roseville Eva is generally 16/1 to win at Romford first time up.
In the lucky last at 10.30pm, ‘team Emery’ has two in the marathon race over 750 metres. Both have race experience over 843 metres at Yarmouth with both having winning form at Crayford over 714 metres.
Roseville Pearl goes from trap four while Ballymurphy Nell runs from trap six. Both are making their Romford debuts tonight but should get the trip. With experience at Crayford the pair should take to the Essex venue and could return next week for a tilt at the TV Trophy.
Robert on his two charges said: “Pearl has come into herself and ran a cracker last week. She could be a half decent stayer. She is quick enough and is still a pup. She needs further so why not. I don’t want to put her in four bend races and find trouble.
“Nell tends to find all kind of trouble. She is a bit one paced but will get the trip. Whether she is good enough time will tell.
“It is a learning curve and hopefully they will take to the track to go for the TV trophy. If not I may drop them to six bends and go for the Derby purse at Yarmouth.
“Both were in the same race last week at Crayford and would have been closer had they not found a lot of trouble in running.
“We will see tonight how they get on. Both are well drawn and will get the trip.”
Skybet make both Pearl and Nell 8/1 shots to win at Romford tonight.
Regular readers of this column may of had a nice double win last week curtesy of Newcastle trainer Angela Harrison. Her two charges, Droopys Carat and Droopys Reel both obliged at SP returns of 1/2 and 4/5. They are being aimed at the puppy cup next month and with calculated times of 24.12 and 24.05 will be players.
