Romford host the semi-finals of the Essex Vase tonight to help ease us through Lockdown III writes Rob Abrey. Along with the showpiece category one competition, the Essex track have put on another seven opens and two graded affairs for our enjoyment. Tonight there are greyhounds making their Romford and six bend debuts and in some cases both. As ever yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about three of them.
Slippy Bertie makes his Romford race debut at 6.28pm for trainer Michelle Brown who joined the Romford training ranks recently. Over 400 metres the October ‘18 whelp will be looking to win first time up. The son of Laughil Blake and Slippy Joy has had all of his previous eighteen races at Henlow over 460 metres winning four times. Those four wins came in A8, A6, A5 and A3 graded races. He has had two recent trials over C&D clocking calculated times of 24.18 and 24.67. If reproducing his first trial time he may not be a maiden for long.
Michelle on him said: “He can run and is a nice dog. If he can break and get away he could do well. He has ability. We were really pleased with his trials as it looked like he took to the track.
“It looks quite a winnable maiden. If he comes out well enough he could do well. He has his draw. From trap six he can keep away from the others as he is a bit nervous at times. Once in front he is a fast dog.”
On whom she thinks could go well from all her runners tonight she said: “Signature Callum. He’s an obvious choice but is our best chance along with Bertie [Slippy Bertie].”
Paddy Power are top price 5/2 for Bertie to win at Romford first time up and are top price once again at 5/4 for Signature Callum to claim the 7.56pm race.
Seaglass Shannon for trainer Patrick Janssens runs away from Central Park for the first time after eleven races around the Kent circuit. The December ’18 whelp goes in a maiden affair at 6.43pm over 400 metres after winning three times at Central Park.
The daughter of Ballybough Mike and Droopys Cuckoo has won in A2 and A1 graded affairs and now attempts Romford for the first time. Although making her race debut she has had one trial over C&D back in August last year when clocking a calculated time of 24.82. That trial was before any races on these shores and improvement on that time can surely be expected.
Patrick on her said: “We trialled her last year for the puppy cup but she had only been with us a little while and took a while to settle in. Since then she has made her way through the grades at Central Park.
“She is a much better bitch now and since her trial has won two A1’s. She is probably more suited to 480 metres and I’m not sure Romford is her track but thought we would give her a try. It’s about getting her a run. If she breaks and gets loose I think she is capable of 24.20.
“She ideally wants trap three but will be better from trap five than she would have been from trap one.”
Paddy Power are 4/1 for Shannon to win on her Romford race debut tonight.
Lone Limit for local handler Paul Young is not only making his race debut on these shores but his six bend one as well. In a maiden stayers race at 9.28pm over 575 metres the August ’18 whelp goes straight in a six bend race after five trials, four of which were over C&D. The son of Droopys Nidge and Boxer Princess showed he is heading in the direction with his last trial when he clocked a best so far calculated time of 35.55. Although racing over here for the first time tonight he does have race experience in Ireland with four races at Thurles over 489 metres.
Paul on him said: “His races in Ireland showed he wants six bends and more. Four bends will be too short for him. He will never win over four bends at this level.
“He is a nice dog for a Friday night. He will definitely get eight bends. He might even go to Crayford. It is a tough introduction for a first race but has to start somewhere. He is a middle seed and trap three is fine for him. He is a nice little prospect with plenty of ability.
“He is a lovely dog and should have fun with him. He is a dog to follow for this year.”
On his runners who he thinks could go well tonight Paul said: “Feora Max. He was impressive when winning at Central Park over 480 metres and has trap one. Hopefully he will break his duck over that distance.”
Several firms are offering 5/1 for Lone Limit to win first time up on these shores. Feora Max is generally available at 7/4 to win his maiden stayers race over 575 metres at 9.12pm.
Regular readers of this column may have had a nice 4/1 SP winner last week courtesy of Drumcrow Brent and may be on at 50/1 to win the Essex Vase outright. Trained by Mark Wallis, the Henlow raider not only won first time up at Romford but also on his six bend debut. Some may also be on Seaglass Tiger as well at around 33/1 for the outright market after the Patrick Janssens four bend star qualified on his six bend debut.
It pays to follow this column.
