The pubs are open to some extent but instead of sitting outside we can sit inside and watch Romford on Racing Post TV. From their weekly twelve race card, eleven are open races for our enjoyment. As ever there are greyhounds making their Romford debuts and stepping up in trip. True to form I have found out more about three of them – writes Rob Abrey.
Perry Barr trainer Robert Hall is braving the Friday night traffic from his Derbyshire base to race three of his charges at Romford. One of them is making his Romford race debut while the other two have been around the Essex circuit before with one stepping up in trip. As ever yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about all three.
Shortwood is first up for ‘team Hall’ in heat two of the Romford Friday night 500 maidens at 7.18pm over 400 metres. The March ’18 whelp goes into tonight’s race in fine fettle after winning an A3 graded affair at home track Perry Barr last time up. The son of Viking Jack and Caribbean Dream travels to Romford for the first time on the back of that win and will go into his race full of confidence.
“Robert on him said: “He is home bred by us and has just turned three years old. He was out for six months with a ligament injury and is coming back. He hasn’t been quite doing it but did last week. He beat our other runner Paradise Ally in that race by three lengths.
“He has got a bit of early pace. He stays 480 metres well but has done decent sprint times at Perry Barr in trials. He is a capable kind but being at the track first time up can catch them out.
“I think he will adapt to the track but has to get it right on the day. He has been running out of four and that is his box I suppose but trap three is fine for him. He is a middle runner.”
Those with sharp minds may remember Movealong Denver who made his Romford and six bend debut last November over 575 metres. On that occasion the January ’18 whelp came last after crowding at the second and fourth bends. The son of Superior Product and Movealong Monica is back to Essex for the first time since then to turn the write the wrongs of his last visit in a maiden stayers race at 9.12pm. At Perry Barr he is in fine form with two wins and a second from his last three races over 480 metres. Those wins came in A6 and A4 graded races. Tonight will be his first six bend race since his last attempt at Romford and with experience will be expected to fare better.
Robert on him said: “He ran at Romford before. He was there for about three quarters of the way but blew up. He just didn’t get home. He’ll get the 575 metres now. He is running on stronger now and to the pick-up at Perry Barr. He won’t get the 660 metres at Perry Barr but 575 metres is within his reach.
“You have to try these things and he has track experience this time around. He has trap four and that is fine for him. He won last time out from trap four at Perry Barr.”
Like Movealong Denver, Paradise Ally is back at Romford for the first time since last November. This time though the March ’18 whelp is not racing over 575 metres but is attempting her furthest distance to date over 750 metres. In a maiden marathon race at 9.28pm the daughter of Ballymac Vic and Paradise Abbey when last at Romford came fourth with Sparta Master winning the race. Tonight she is back to shed her maiden tag. She does have winning form at Perry Barr over six bends with an S2 graded win over 660 metres. Interestingly last year she won over 275 metres in a D3 graded affair which shows she has a bit of early.
Robert on the last of his three runners said: “575 metres is not far enough for her. The line comes too early for her. It is the same over 480 metres with her running really strong to the pick-up. She ran over 710 metres at perry Barr for the St Leger and did some useful times.
“She will get 750 metres but she likes to be on the rails. Being in trap five might be a problem for her. It all depends how she gets out.
“She handled the track well enough last time and should be okay around there this time around. She can get out but tends to lack a bit of pace to the first bend. Like I said trap five is not ideal but you have to deal with what your given.”
Robert on all three said: “A change of track will do them good. I’ll be happy if they run well and come off sound. That’s the main thing. I’ll be even happier if they pinch a win.”
