The ‘Romford Round Up’ is back after a one week hiatus covering the first round of the Derby. As ever the Essex venue have put on a bevy of open races for our enjoyment. Two minor competitions are starting tonight and concluding next week. As ever yours truly had endeavored to find out more about one from each of the five heats – writes Rob Abrey.
Towcester trainer Patrick Janssens knows what it takes to win at Romford over 400 metres and tonight has entered three greyhounds for the Romford Friday night 500 puppies. The two heat minor competition kicks off at 6.48pm with La Dinero looking to win at Romford at the first time of asking.
The September ‘19 whelp has only ever had three races, all at Towcester over 270 metres. He is yet to get off the mark with sprint trips looking a bit on the short side for him. 400 metres for the son of Ballymac Best and Flat White, however looks ideal for him. He has had one trial over C&D clocking a good calculated time of 24.22. He will surely be expected to improve in that.
Patrick on him said: “He was an unraced dog. Had a couple of graded races at Towcester over the sprint trip. Didn’t win them but ran well in defeat. The sprint trip was too short for him and 500 metres at the moment is too far for him. 400 metres could be his ideal distance right now.
“We trialled him at Romford and he did exceptionally well. 24.22 for a first look around is very good. He looks a middle runner at the moment but is a typical puppy. He will probably be more rails in time but definitely doesn’t want trap one.”
Several firms are offering 4/1 for him to win at Romford at the first time of asking.
Patrick has two in heat two at 7.07pm but it is Meenagh Major in trap one that gets the ‘Round Up’ treatment. The August ‘19 whelp has only had two trials on these shores. One of those were over C&D where he clocked a calculated time of 24.14. Like his kennel mate in the previous heat he will be expected to improve on that. Although the son of Jumeirah Bran and Jumeirah Charm has only trialed over here he does have race experience in Ireland. Over there he has winning form at Shelbourne Park and Dundalk both over 480 metres.
Patrick on him said: “He came out of Shelbourne Park where he won an A3 in a time of 28.60. With the puppy comp at Romford thought we would give him a go in that. He took to Romford really well. In his trial he beat the other one fair and square.
“24.14 for a first look is really good. He looks a good little dog but we don’t know how good he is at the moment. It is a nice competition and a great place to start them.
“Trap one is perfect for him. We intend to keep them at Romford for a while and will know more about them tonight.”
Ladbrokes are top price 11/8 for him to win on shores at the very first attempt.
The first heat of the Romford Friday night 500 maiden stayers over 575 meters gets underway at 7.24pm and sees Tricia Jezabelle making her six bend debut. Trained by Henlow’s Keith Robins the September ‘18 whelp has won open races at Henlow and Towcester over 460 and 500 metres and now attempts six bends for the first time.
The daughter of Droopys Jet and Dream Believer does have experience at Romford with her last two races over 400 metres where she finished third and last after trouble at the first bend both times. It does look like she needs further and 575 metres could prove beneficial.
Keith on her said: “She will definitely stay that trip. When she won her Derby trial stakes at Towcester she stayed to the pick up.
“She runs the track really well and if she gets loose should do a decent time. She did 24.23 with bother. She has been going with them to the bend but been finding trouble at the bend. Hopefully over six bends the race may not have as much early. She finishes 400 metres really strong.
“She should stay the trip no bother. We have been looking to step her up further with maybe 630 metres at Monmore and then go from there.
“Trap five is fine for her. We would rather have had trap three but five is fine.”
Corals are top price 7/2 for her to win over six bends at the very first attempt.
Distant Terry won a maidens competition over 400 metres last month and now is aiming to win a maiden stayers one as well. In heat two at 7.44pm the June ‘19 whelp is making his six bend debut for Henlow trainer Jason Gornall. The son of Droopys Jet and Miss Pyromaniac certainly looks like he will benefit from further.
When winning the maidens competition he broke fifth from the traps and pinched the win on the line. He certainly has track experience and the transition to six bends always looked on the cards.
Jason on him said: “He shapes up like he stays. He won the ‘Monkey’ final at Romford off of the pace. He always runs on strong to the pick up.
“We have been waiting to step him up for a while. We did enter him in the dual distance comp but he didn’t qualify from 400 metres.
“He is bred to stay and the breeder said he should be a five/six bend dog. We like to think he will get it. If he leads he can show us what he can do off the front.
“He is a middle runner and trap four is good for him. He has early pace when he gets it right. He should be a decent price.”
Corals and Ladbrokes are both offering 20/1 for Terry to add a 575 metres victory to his 400 metres one.
Local handler David Mullins knows what it takes for a greyhound to get 575 metres and tonight steps up his charge Newtown Freda. The August ‘18 whelp has been going through the grades nicely starting in A7 company and won an A2 last time out. The daughter of Laughill Duke and College Minding now attempts six bends for the first time in heat three at 8.03pm. The indications are that 575 metres is well within her capabilities.
David on her said: “I think she will stay. She is showing signs of staying. It is a step up in class and we’re not sure if she is at that level. If she is not we will use the race as a qualifying trial and race her in graded races over the trip.
“She is a railer and trap one is a good draw for her.”
Skybet are 9/1 for her to get off to winning ways over six bends.
