The Essex Vase concluded last Friday with Droopys Aoife deservedly taking the spoils for former Romford handler Ernie Gaskin. Those who follow this column may of the had second and third places for ante post purposes curtesy of the King dogs Dylan and Lennon writes Rob Abrey.
Although the Essex Vase is over for another year that is not stopping the open action at Romford. With fourteen open races on show of a fifteen race card there is plenty to enjoy. As ever there are several greyhounds making their Romford debuts tonight and stepping up in trip and yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about four of them.
Corrig Iris for Henlow trainer Michelle Brown makes her Romford debut in heat one of the Romford Friday night 500 maidens over 400 metres at 7.33pm. The daughter of Laughill Duke and Rockburst La Von has been expensive to follow at home track Henlow as she has been favourite six times from her seven runs winning only one. That sole win for the October ’17 whelp came in an A8 graded race over 460 metres. It appears she needs further but tonight is dropped to the sharp four bend at Romford.
Michelle on her said: “She seems to be running on. The idea is to step her up to 575 metres after a look around first. We wanted to give her a look first. If she takes to the track and runs well enough that is the plan.
“She normally breaks well but is left behind early and runs on again. Trap five on Friday is a good draw for her.”
Skybet are 8/1 for her to win on her Romford debut tonight.
Corrin Sid unlike kennelmate Corrig Iris has already had a taste of Romford. The son of Taylors Sky and Corrin Emma made his debut on these shores last week winning first time up. That win for the February ’18 whelp was over the two bend trip of 225 metres. Tonight, he goes over four bends for the first time over here in a standard open affair at 8.38pm over 400 metres. Last week he clocked a good calculated time of 13.71 even though he found trouble at the first bend. He has winning form in Ireland over four bends with an A4 graded win at Youghall over 480 metres.
Michelle on him said: “I was really chuffed with him last week. He was entered in the sprint last week mainly to have a look around. He has really good early pace. He ran a good race.
“I think he will do well on Friday. He has trap two and if he pings out like he can and clears trap one he has chances. Hopefully he will run well. He is only a little dog. He is light for a dog but is a little pocket rocket.”
Including the two dogs covered Michelle has four running in total and on who she thinks could go well she said: “Signature Finlay. He has been crying out for trap one and now he has it, can show what he can do. Hopefully the draw can make a big difference.”
Skybet and Corals make ‘Sid’ a 3/1 shot to make it two from two on these shores. Signature Finlay in heat two of the Romford Friday night maidens at 7.49pm over 400 metres is 11/2 with the same firms to takes the spoils tonight.
Droopys Proton for local handler Paul Young is not only making his Romford debut but his race one at the same time. The novice May ’18 whelp is making his race debut in heat two of the Romford Friday night maidens over 400 metres at 7.49pm. The son of Droopys Nidge and Droopys Dance has had six trials all over C&D. In his last trial he clocked the quickest time of the six trials with a calculated time of 24.39. He is improving all the time and will be expected to continue that improvement tonight.
Paul on him said: “It is a hard intro for him. The four dog [Thunder Strike] has done 28.50 around Shelbourne. He is only a novice but is a nice pup. He is a dog for Monmore and is one for next year.
“He is still a bit green but is a nice pup. He is not breaking from the traps at Romford at the moment though. He has a nice draw in five as trap three [Frombathwithlove] is a bang railer.”
On all his runners tonight on who he thinks could go well, Paul said: “Bubbly Buster. He is running really well and has a great draw [trap one]. Droopys Toast also has chances as well. He is a wide seed in trap three but will hopefully be away and gone with his early pace.”
Droopys Proton is 4/1 with Corals to take heat two on his race debut. Bubbly Buster, running at 9.26pm over 400 metres in a standard open affair is 11/8 with Bet365 to make it five wins from six. Droopys Toast in the Romford Friday night 500 maidens final at 9.08pm is 7/2 with Corals and Ladbrokes to land the £500 to the winner first prize.
Himbos Bullet is not only making his race debut at Romford but also his race debut for Doncaster trainer Gary Wilson. The April ’17 whelp was in the care of Nottingham trainer Colin Wilton but is now with Gary. Although the son of Tullymurry Act and Jaxxon A Mission is making his Romford debut in a stayers race at 9.56pm over 575 metres he is no maiden with a win at Sheffield over 660 metres. While with Colin he won an open and an A1 graded race at Nottingham over 500 metres. In two recent trials at Doncaster he showed all is well with a good calculated time of 30.17 over 483 metres. He has early pace and should stay.
Gary on him said: “He has only been with me for a little while. I wanted to get a decent dog in the kennels to have some fun with. I’ve took my chance with him and wanted to go somewhere suited for him where he has a chance to maybe pinch an open. I wanted a dog with early pace that can stay.
“He has nice early pace and if he can get a run around the first few bends without trouble, he could take some beating. 660 metres at Sheffield is about it for him, he won’t get much more than that.
“575 metres could be good for him. He will definitely get the trip. The previous trainer was looking to go to Romford with him before I bought him and someone down south was also looking to buy him as well. We obviously formed the same opinion of him after his run at Sheffield.
“He did a very good time of 30.17 at Doncaster over 483 metres. It’s a hard 483 metres and he got it well. It’s very hard to break 30 seconds there.
“I’ve seen him from traps three and four and the draw on Friday from trap four is ideal. If he gets around the first few turns without trouble, he could rattle a few cages.”
Skybet and Ladbrokes make him a 16/1 poke to win at Romford at the first time of asking.
