By Rob Abrey
It’s Good Friday and the good part is that Romford are hosting fourteen open races to cap off a lovely paid day off. With the new British Greyhound Breeders Forum Puppy Oaks competition starting next week there are again a few greyhounds on show that have their eye on the win.
Amongst the British bred greyhounds showcasing their potential ahead of next week there are plenty of others that are making an interesting and as ever competitive card and I’ve found out more about some of them.
Droopys Shona trained by Jason Heath of Hove is first up in a maiden race over 400 metres at 6.36pm. Only available to watch via Coral and Ladbrokes shops the British Bred September ’15 whelp is coming along nicely at Hove with two wins from three over 285 metres at Hove on the graded strength. The son of Tullymurry Act and Droopys Blossom is one of three pups by Tullymurry Act in the same race and is a litter sister to Wildfire Lord who is trained by Romford’s Paul Young.
Can Droopys Shona win the battle of the best of the Tullymurrys? Trainer Jason Heath on her said: “She’s a repeat mating of Droopys Acrobat and was bought as a novice and came to us with a British bred book. Since she has a British bred book I’m looking to enter her for the puppy oaks next week. “We started her off at Hove over the sprint trip as I generally do with pups. She has good early and I’ve given her a couple of looks around Romford. She has not pulled up any trees in her trials but will see how she gets on in her first race at Romford a week before the competition starts.”
It’s a tough maiden by anyone’s standard but by being in trap one she is perfectly drawn and with her early pace could just steal a march and grab the lead at the first bend.
Trainer Elizabeth McNair as reported in previous weeks is becoming a regular feature at Romford. The kennels again have some on show again tonight with all looking to be entered for the puppy oaks next week. Two weeks ago the McNair kennels had a win with Queen Anna who won first time up and last week litter mate King Elvis did the same. This week Queen Paloma will be looking to do the same.
King Elvis is back again after winning first time up last week in a maiden race over 400 metres. This time the son of Tullymurry Act and Skate On is in a puppy race at 6.55pm. The October ’15 whelp will be looking to make it two from two and clearly has the pedigree and potential to do so.
Trainer Rab McNair on King Elvis said: “He is a nice pup. I like him a lot. I’m a fan of King Elvis and this week trap four is far better for him. I’m expecting a lot more from him this week as he would have learned a lot from last week. I think he can do it again this week.”
Queen Paloma, litter sister to King Elvis makes her Romford debut tonight in a maiden race over 400 metres. She has been running at Central park under the tutelage of Daniel Brabon but is now back with the McNairs.
On Queen Paloma, Rab McNair said: “She was with Daniel Barabon and she did the second fastest time on the card last time out at Central Park. She ran okay at Romford in her trial but Central Park and Romford are like chalk and cheese especially for a young bitch. Paloma is one of those who takes a couple of runs to get on with a track, her litter sister Anna on the other hand will do it anywhere first time up.
“She is a bit of a thinker and watches what she is doing. She has very big potential and is still so young. At this stage I’ll let them come on and get on with it.
“These pups are the fastest I’ve ever had at this age.”
Paloma is available at 5/1 with Paddy Power and that seems generous for a puppy that has proven herself at Central Park and one from a very well bred and thought of litter.
Salthill Wizard is making his Romford debut tonight for trainer Ronald Ronald Peckover in the third heat of the Friday night standard over 400 metres at 8.53pm. The Son of Tullymurry Act and Russelena Blue won last time up at Henlow over 460 metres so can clearly stay the 400 metres trip tonight. When getting it right from the traps the January ’15 whelp can ping the lids and with that early pace can get in front of the pack.
Trainer Ronald Peckover on Salthill Wizard said: “He is an interesting entry but has a bad draw [trap four]. He can be draw dependent. If he was in traps one or two tonight I would fancy his chances but tonight he is ‘piggy in the middle’. He is a natural railer and can run most tracks first time and is still a young dog.
“Fingers crossed he qualifies for the final and hopefully he might get a better draw nearer the rails if he does qualify.
“The main thing is he comes off safe in a trouble free race.”
With Civility Counts on his inside and with his ability to ‘ping’ the lids he has a good chance to get closer to the rails and make an impact. William Hills are offering 7/1 and although he is draw dependent that price feels a tad too big for a dog with bundles of early that could be away and gone.
The experienced Jenny March is back at Romford again this week with two greyhounds and this week has the right distance for Musical Charm. Last week the daughter of Hondo Black and Group Knowsbest ran in a 575 metres race due to the marathon not filling and almost pinched the win from Ribble Aon after coming as expected from off the pace. This week the January ’15 is in a marathon race in the lucky last at 10.23pm over 750 metres and will much more at home over the longer trip.
Owner Clive Lefevre on her said: “She is in an eight bend race tonight over the distance you want but not the company you want. It will be nice to miss Wallis just once! Last week we were up against the hot pot Ribble Aon and now we are up against the favourite for the race Ribble Atom.
“Her only chance tonight is to clear traps one and two at the first bend. I’m hoping she gets a run to the first bend and then gets a chance to show what she can do.
“She showed last week she can run Romford and is one of those who like the tighter tracks as she also ran well around Crayford.”
She was under estimated last week when almost pinching the win as a 14/1 shot over a distance not entirely suitable for her and at 8/1 tonight with Paddy Power over a distance that is suitable she could upset the form book.
