By Rob Abrey
With the issue of qualifying rounds for the Derby finally sorted one thing is always certain and set in stone in greyhound racing: Friday opens at Romford. As ever the Essex track host fourteen races, thirteen of which are open class. With maidens and maiden stayers races on the card as well as the standard affair there are many interesting greyhounds on show tonight. As per normal for your weekly treat I have endeavoured to find out more about some of them.
Before the Racing Post TV cameras start rolling, Curry My Yoghurt for trainer Brian Thompson of Belle Vue is looking to shed her maiden tag at Over 400 metres at 6.55pm. The daughter of Wise Thought and Drumna Dove has been going through the grades nicely at home track Belle Vue and recently won a top graded race over 470 metres. The September ’14 whelp is the sole wide seed in the race and looks well placed in trap six.
Trainer Brian Thompson on Curry My Yoghurt said: “We bought her from the Belle Vue sales for not a lot of money and she is going through the grades nicely and is only two and a half years old. She is a different dog if she leads. She will take all the beating if she leads but needs to lead. It is race over for her if she is not in front or thereabouts at the first bend.
“The track should suit her and she does have a chance to lead out wide. She is more of a middle to wide runner but being in trap six shouldn’t be a problem.”
There are few certainties in life but Adoras Sapient leading in his six bend debut over 575 metres must be one of them. Trained by John Mullins of Yarmouth the Febuary ’14 whelp attempts his first ever race over six bends after having five of his last six races over sprint trips at Nottingham and Yarmouth. Although not winning any he has managed second twice and in his last race over 277 metres at Yarmouth he came second by a short head. The son of Godsend and Swift Verse ran at Romford recently over 400 metres clocking a calculated time of 24.43 but more importantly a sectional of 3.75.
Trainer John Mullins on him stepping up in trip said: “I don’t know if he will stay or not. He has been running on really well to the pick up at Yarmouth recently so thought I would give him a go.
“He has got to lead, he really needs to lead. It will be interesting and we will see how he gets on. He has good recent form and if he doesn’t stay he doesn’t stay but there is only one way to find out.”
Although there are question marks over his staying capabilities there are certainly not question marks about his early pace. Paddy power make him a 3/1 shot and that must be considered for a dog that will surely lead and any scrimmaging behind him will surely help.
Coonough Melody for trainer Brian Thompson will be looking to make it a double for the Belle Vue handler if all goes to plan for Curry My Yoghurt earlier in the night. The son of Tullymurry Act and Forest Bell has only had two races on these shores over sprint trips at Belle Vue and Nottingham and makes his four bend debut tonight in a maiden over 400 metres at 8.37pm. The December ‘14 whelp has won over 480 metres at Shelbourne Park at Newbridge so can handle a four bend trip.
Trainer Brian Thompson on Coonough Melody said: “If he traps and leads he wins. He is a very good dog. He is not really a sprinter but we were running him over sprint trips as he was cramping. We have hopefully got that out of him and the nice weather will certainly help.
“Both him and Curry My Yoghurt should handle the track as greyhound that run Belle Vue tend to run Romford well.”
For a greyhound expected to win if he leads the 9/2 being offered by Paddy Power seems very generous. At 9/2 it is worth taking a chance on whether he has his trapping boots on or not.
Snowdon Bolt for trainer Julie Luckhurst of Crayford will be looking to make it three wins from his first five races. His previous two wins have been at Crayford over 380 metres in an open race and a top graded race. Tonight the son of Shaneboy Spencer and Uptown Hawk tackles the four bend trip in a standard race at 9.26pm. The May ’15 whelp attempted an open race over 285 metres at Hove but only managed fourth place. In a recent trial over C&D he clocked a calculated time of 24.39 with a decent spilt time of 3.80.
Trainer Julie Luckhurst on her charge said: “He was an unraced puppy and is only two years old this month. He was bred to stay and prefers to stay. He won an A1 and open race at Crayford and at this stage we don’t quite know how good he is going to be.
“At the moment he is still very green and runs everywhere on the track. In time he will probably be more of a railer but at the moment he runs wide on the straights and cuts in at the bends. We were really pleased with his trial at Romford and he is still not 100% race fit. He needs a lot more races which will hopefully get him to grow up a bit.
“He is very, very brave and has got heart. He is not without a chance on Friday.”
He is coming along nicely and would be expected to improve from his recent trial over C&D. Paddy Power make him a 6/1 and that must be considered. He is a young dog and has shown he can win in open race class.
Swift Buddy runs in the lucky last over 750 metres at 10.23pm for Crayford trainer Julie Luckhurst. The son of Kinloch Brae and Swift Zest will be looking to win over 750 metres at the first time of asking and reward his handler for waiting until the end. The September ’14 whelp has won over 380 metres, 540 metres and 714 metres at home track Crayford and completed a hat-trick of wins in early May.
In a recent trial over 400 metres he clocked a very impressive calculated time of 24.21. For a potential marathon dog that is quick.
Trainer Julie Luckhurst on Swift Buddy said: “He will stay. I have no doubt he will stay the trip. We are looking to try him over even further in the future.
“He doesn’t have much track sense from behind but if he leads it will take a bloody good dog to beat him.
“He can definitely run but we had a few problems with him early on but he is 100% now.
“You know what you have got at your own track but don’t always know how they adapt to other tracks.
“Both our dogs tonight are not without a chance.”
Although Aayamza Breeze in trap three will go off odds on favourite the 12/1 being offered by William Hill is way too big for a greyhound that will stay and has done 24.21 in a trial over 400 metres. Another option is to do it each way with Skybet at 8/1 as they are offering three places.
