He’s back – after a seven month break, Rob Abrey returns with the Round Up column. For those who don’t remember the format, Rob likes to delve into the background of greyhounds who are likely to be unexposed to the Romford regulars. With the Guys And Dolls, Champion Stakes and Puppy Cup all on the horizon, this week he speaks to Jane Craske, Carl Jackson and Steve Fluin.
It’s back. Your favourite read is here again. After several months in exile yours truly is back from the wilderness to bring you all you need to know. With Romford putting on four category one competitions next month there is a bevy of greyhounds making their debuts tonight. As ever I endeavoured to find out about four greyhounds that are eying up tilts at those major events:
Adamant Taurus has hit the ground running at home track Yarmouth after winning his first ever race over 462 metres recently.
Trained by Jane Craske the July ’18 whelp goes in the opening race tonight at 6.09pm over 400 metres in the Guys trial stakes. The son of Taylors Sky and Adamant Gem won first time out at Yarmouth taking all in an A1 graded race. Although making his race debut at Romford tonight he has had a spin around the Essex venue early last month over 225 metres. In that trial he clocked a very respectable time of 13.71. Drawn in trap two tonight he will be looking to make it two wins from two.
Jane on him said: “We gave him a sprint trial and he ran really well for his first look around. He was only one spot slower than our established runner Adamant Kenny.
“The 400 metres trip may suit him better at this stage than 462 metres at Yarmouth. He ran really well at Yarmouth and he didn’t get out as good as he could have but paced up well to the bend.
“He ran Romford first time up in his trial and did the same at Yarmouth. He looks like he could be one of those dogs that take to a track straight away.
“We seeded him middle for Friday as he ran rails to middle in his trial and thought we would try him nearer the rails. We were told when we got him from Ireland he would be a wide runner but he is definitely not that.
“We thought we would give him some experience at Romford and see how he goes. He looks a good dog.”
Corals are offering 7/2 for Taurus to make it two wins from two.
Newcastle trainer Carl Jackson is braving the Friday night traffic from his Darlington base to race two of his charges at Romford tonight.
First up is Sams Elle in the Dolls trial stakes over 400 metres at 6.28pm. The August ’18 bitch has only had three races on these shores winning two of them. All three races were at Newcastle over 290 metres where she reached the final of the RPTV sprint cup final. In the final she came third by only 1 ¼ lengths behind. Tonight she steps up to four bends. The daughter of Droopys Jet and Moanteen Beauty does however have winning form over 480 metres at Dundalk which bodes well for tonight. She clearly has early pace and if able to get 400 metres the Newcastle raider could be a big player tonight.
Carl on her said: “She’s my main reason for going. We are stepping her up to the 400 metres to see if she stays. I think she will get the 400. She won a race in Ireland. She is not the best of trappers but does pace up to the bend.
“We are hoping she takes to the track first time up and think she will. If she leads she wins. That’s my opinion. I will be disappointed if she leads and doesn’t stay.
“She is definitely a railer and trap two is good for her. I’ll be disappointed if she doesn’t lead trap one. I think she is decent and if she had a different draw in the final of the sprint cup at Newcastle, could have been there or there abouts.”
Ladbrokes are 3/1 for Sams Elle to win on his four bend debut on these shores.
Next up for ‘team Jackson’ is Calzaghe Edward. The August ’17 whelp goes in a Coral Champion Stakes trial stakes at 7.36pm over 575 metres.
Unlike his kennel mate he is much more experienced with twenty four runs to his name. The son of Droopys Cain and Headford Fantasy has won five of those twenty four which all came at home track Newcastle. Four of those wins have been over 480 metres in A2 and A1 graded company. Interestingly and important for tonight he has won an open race over 670 metres. He has also run at Sunderland and Doncaster so does have experience away from Newcastle. With able to stay and winning an A1 over 480 metres late last month he could spring a surprise tonight.
Carl on him said: “If he cracks out he will take a bit to peg back. He did get picked up recently over four bends but that was a top dog. If he gets on the bunny it will take a bit to beat him.
“He will get 575 metres off the front and has been starting really well recently. He ran Sunderland well first time up and Romford should suit him down to the ground. Trap six is his draw. He is a wide runner that tends to cut the bend so hopefully he leads.
“As I said, Sams is our main reason for going. To enter Edward in the Champion Stakes he will have to show a bit and pull up some trees as the competition is on different weeks to the Guys and Dolls.”
Ladbrokes are 5/1 for Calzaghe Edward to win first time tonight.
Bubbly Bollinger for the champagne club syndicate is making his race debut tonight for trainer Paul Young.
The novice October ’18 whelp runs in his first ever race at 7.56pm over 400 metres in a puppy cup trial stakes. The son of Loughteen Blanco and Droopys Ant certainly looks a good prospect with his last two trial times in three dog trials below 24 seconds. He has improved with every trial and his last two times of 23.93 and 23.92 gives the indication he could be the real deal.
Head of the champagne club syndicate Steve Fluin said: “It’s his first ever race and he is still very novicey. His last couple of trials have been sub 24 seconds. His times are hugely impressive off of poor splits which indicates he has got stamina.
“If he gets a clear run he wins. He needs a bit of luck in running first time up and hopefully can show us what he can do. We think he is really progressing and after the puppy cup taking him to Nottingham for the derby is a possibility. Paul thinks he can get 500 metres so we will see.
“The Bubbly dogs are in form with a four timer at Romford on Monday.”
Ladbrokes are offering 15/8 for him to win his first ever race and continue the ‘Bubbly’ dogs winning streak.
