We may be in the early throws of lockdown II and to keep the spirits up, Romford as usual have put on a twelve race open card for our enjoyment – writes Rob Abrey
With the Essex Vase starting in two weeks time over 575 metres, Romford have put on a maiden stayers competition. That gives us a chance to see the potential staying credentials of eighteen greyhounds on show tonight. Some of those greyhounds may be eyeing up a tilt at the showpiece competition. To help, yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about one from each of the three heats along with another maiden greyhound over 400 metres.
Yarmouth trainer Paul Burr spends so many Fridays in Essex these days he’s becoming an honorary ‘Essex Boy’. Tonight he is back with four of his charges. Two of them are making their Romford race debuts and it is that duo who are the focus of your favourite read.
First up of the two is Roxys Ward in the second heat of the Romford Friday night 500 maidens over 400 metres at 6.28pm. The son of Eden The Kid and Roxys Lass runs away from home track Yarmouth for the first time tonight after twenty five races. The drop to 400 metres from 462 metres could be ideal for the June ‘18 whelp. He clearly has early and needs to utilise that tonight.
Paul on him said: “He’s out of a nice litter and has come through the grades and is currently contesting in A2’s.
“The 462 distance at Yarmouth is far enough for him. He runs well up to 420 / 430 metres then starts treading water. 400 looks ideal for him.
“He has a bit of early but has only been schooled and raced at Yarmouth. Hopefully for his first look around he will qualify. Hopefully the track will suit him as the distance is ideal.
“Trap two is the perfect draw for him. If I had to pick a trap for him it would be trap two.”
Skybet make him a 10/1 poke to win first time up at Romford tonight.
Next up for ‘team Burr’ is Baunfaun Prince in the first heat of the Romford Friday night 500 maiden stayers over 575 metres at 7.18pm. Like his kennel mate the August ‘18 whelp has only run at home track Yarmouth before tonight. Interestingly from eighteen races there the son of Droopys Nidge and Sidarian Nell ran once over 659 metres in an open race finishing second. All his other races were over 462 metres. He has been contesting in top grade company recently winning an A1. He appears to be able to get the distance tonight and if taking to the track may not be a maiden stayer for very long.
Paul on him said: “He will definitely get the 575 metres at Romford. He has been running on at Yarmouth and should have no problem getting the 575 on Friday.
“We tried him over 659 in an open at Yarmouth where he finished second. He was still maturing then so didn’t want to continue him over that distance at that stage. He is ready now and 575 metres will be no problem for him.
“He is a nice little dog and does decent times over A1’s at Yarmouth. He gets out the traps well at Yarmouth and against stayers should be up there near the front in the early stages. He is a clever dog in running and shows good track craft.
“He should be able to handle the track and are expecting a good run from him. Hopefully he qualifies for the final next week.
“Of the two, this is the one I like the most for Friday. The Essex vase is a thought for him but he is not as good as my other two at the moment. We will have to see what he does so you never know.”
Skybet make him 10/1 to take the spoils in his Romford race debut.
Rushmoor Latte for unattached trainer Paul Dale goes in heat two of the maiden stayers at 7.36pm. The daughter of Hondo Black and Rushmoor Dolly is not only making her Romford debut but also her six bend one as well. The August ’18 whelp has had five races all at Yarmouth over 462 metres winning one. That win came in A2 graded company in her last race. If able to stay she may not be a maiden stayer for long.
Roger Dale brother and assistant trainer to Paul on her said: “She’ll stay. She is bred to stay. She will stay alright. 462 metres at Yarmouth is not far enough for her. The breeder said she will stay as well.
“We have decided to push her on as she seems ready. The penny has dropped and she ran a blinder last time out.
“She definitely needs further and should take to Romford. She is the same sort as we have had before and are confident she will stay and take to the track. At Yarmouth she does most of her running from the third bend. She has trap four and that is fine. We seeded her middle and she has a middle draw.
“If she takes to Romford like we think she will then the Essex Vase is definitely a possibility.”
Several firms are offering 7/2 for her win over six bends at the first time of asking.
Followthe Bubba for Perry Barr trainer Simon Deakin makes his Romford debut in heat three of the maiden stayers at 7.56pm. The son of Kinloch Brae and Billis Weasel is in fine form at the moment for the ‘Followthelolly syndicate’. The October ’17 whelp has won his last two over 480 metres at home track Perry Barr. Although making his Romford debut tonight he has had one race over 660 metres last December in an open race. In that race he led to the fifth bend where he eventually finished fourth. Running over 575 metres tonight could be ideal for him. He clearly has early pace and if taking to Romford may not be a maiden stayer for long.
Simon on him said: “He has had a 660 race a long while back and got about 575 metres then petered away. After that race he took off winning A1 after A1. Before lockdown he won three A1’s on the bounce.
“After lockdown he has had a few niggles and wasn’t firing. We changed a few things and he is flying again and staying on. He has won his last two and his last run was very impressive in the way he won it. He drew away from them and looked like his old self.
“He has been staying on and 575 metres at Romford is an easier task. We think he will get it. He has got good early pace and hopefully gets out. He should run well on Friday. He was off the boil but is now back to his best. Trap five should be okay for him. The four dog (Nightingale Lane) seems to stay middle.
“He will have to do really well to go in the Essex Vase but you never know.”
Paddy Power are top price 7/1 for him to win at Romford at the first time of asking.
Those who read my one off ‘Nottingham Round Up’ last week may have had a nice little 11/4 winner courtesy of Loggies Lito and Simon Harms. Before the race, Simon said “….I have only raced him five times but I can say already he is the best greyhound I’ve put a lead on as a trainer. The dog is an absolute machine.…” He wasn’t wrong when taking his sprint race by 3 ¼ lengths.
It pays to follow this column.
