The Coronation Cup concluded last week with Antigua Rum being crowned champion writes Rob Abrey. Trained by Mark Wallis the strong finisher took the £5,000 first prize plus the £5,000 bonus generously put up by Coral Ladbrokes before the showpiece final.
This week Romford have unveiled the first six names to there newly created hall of fame list. The first six have quite a standing at Romford.
Away from that, the Essex track have put on thirteen open races for our enjoyment. Several greyhounds are making their Romford debut tonight and as ever yours truly has found out more two of them plus a returnee.
Deanridge Awesom is contesting in only his second ever race tonight for Crayford trainer Allison Kelly-Pilgrim. Entered in the Terry Duggan and Kenny Linzell hall of fame stakes for maiden puppies over 400 metres at 6.44pm, the May ’16 whelp is racing over four bends for the first time. The son of Sh Avatar and Deanridge Angel ran at Monmore last week over 264 metres finishing fifth by only five and half lengths. In that race he was up against sprinter of the year nominee Droopys Reel. Tonight he tackles Romford and four bends in race conditions for the first time of asking. He has trialled over four bends before tonight with two trials at Crayford and Monmore over 380 and 480 metres. Four bends looks where his career lays and it may not be long before he gets off the mark.
Allison on him said: “He ran at Monmore last week in a very hard race where he was up against Droopys Reel. You have to take on the top dogs one day I suppose. In his first ever race as an unraced puppy his run was very encouraging and didn’t let us down.
“We thought we would give him a sprint race first before going over four bends. We are going to bring him on slowly and start with shorter four bend trips to start with.
“He has had a four bend trial at Crayford and does handle the track well. He will stay 400 metres, there is no issue there. He is in another good race though. There are lots of good pups around at the moment.
“He has trap five but don’t think that will be a problem. If he wins first time up it will be a bit of a ‘Brucey Bonus’.
Ladbrokes make Deanridge Awesom a 12/1 poke to take the spoils in only his second ever race.
Ickle Cashin after eleven races at home track Henlow over 460 metres in graded affairs runs at Romford tonight for the first time. Trained by Heather Dimmock the March ’18 whelp goes into a maiden race at 9.26pm over 400 metres. The daughter of Blackstone Marco and Galley Cashin has won three of her eleven races in A11, A10 and A9 graded company. She has early pace and the drop down to 400 metres tonight could be ideal for her.
Heather on her said: “We thought we would take her to Romford and see if she likes it while we were going with another runner. She has quite a lot of early pace. 460 metres at the moment is a bit of a push for her. She tends to run very wide at Henlow and were hoping a tighter track keeps her in.
“She paces up well at Henlow but stays very wide. Trap six is good for her as she stays out wide. I can’t see her causing any problems with the other runners. If she is lying handy early on she has half a chance.”
Skybet make her a 14/1 shot to win on her Romford debut tonight.
In the lucky last in the Ernie Wiley hall of fame stakes at 9.56pm over 750 metres for those yet to win over eight bends, Tullig Thrill is back for another tilt at winning over the marathon trip. Trained by Heather Dimmock the January ’16 whelp last attempted 750 metres at Romford last month. On that occasion when attempting her longest race distance to date the daughter of Head Bound and Droopys Thrill finished fifth after finding trouble at the first and second bends. She has showed her staying potential with wins over six bends at Towcester, Swindon, Monmore and Hove. With a clearer run tonight she may be able to show what she can do over eight bends to add to her nine wins over six bends.
Heather on her said: “We have struggled a bit recently to find races for her so decided to take her back to Romford. Last time over 750 metres she was trodden on early on. The way she has been running on at other tracks she should get it. She was second to Droopys Live twice at Sheffield recently and we know how good she is.
“She should get it without much trouble but she doesn’t have much track craft at the moment. Although she was in trap two last time out at Romford it shouldn’t be a problem. If she is lying handy second or third without any of the runners around her she will run on.”
Corals are offering 5/2 for Tullig Thrill to win at Romford over 750 metres at the second time of asking.