By Rob Abrey
Another Friday is upon us and that can only mean one thing; open races at Romford greyhound stadium. The Essex track kicks off the weekends open race bonanza as a warm up act before the main show at Towcester tomorrow night. As ever there are several interesting greyhounds making there Romford race debuts tonight and as always yours truly has found out more about them.
A greyhound that can clock a calculated time of 23.94 in a 400 metres trial and may stay 575 metres is what most want in a dog at Romford. That is what Barricane Tommy clocked in a recent trial at Romford over 400 metres for trainer Patrick Janssens and by being stepped up in trip straight away gives the impression the son of Ballymac Eske and Mrs Bouquet can stay. If the January ’15 whelp does stay he could be something special. If we compare his trial with Romford specialist Roswell Romanov’s last 400 metre trial back in February it is very similar. Tommy clocked a calculated time of 23.94 with a 3.84 sectional. Romanov clocked a calculated time of 23.93 with a 3.87 sectional. On paper Barricane Tommy could be something special and the Essex Vase in December could be on the horizon.
Trainer Patrick Janssens on Barricane Tommy said: “We took him to Towcester for the Derby where he made the second round before being knocked out. At Towcester he was in front at the drop against derby dogs that gives me the opinion he can stay 575 metres at Romford.
“It was a very good trial on Tuesday at Romford and thought he ran the track very well, especially for his first look around there. He is a very genuine dog and I have really high hopes for him. This Tommy in my opinion could be top draw. He could be very, very good over the staying distances.
“To do that time in a trial he must be good. He is only 29 kilos but has a heart of a lion and doesn’t give up. To some extent he reminds me Barricane Tiger. Trap one on Friday should not be problem for him.”
Paddy Power and Skybet have made Barricane Tommy a 4/7 shot. Although short he does look special and he is not against the 575 metres ‘big boys’. If getting anything like a clear run he wins, simple as that.
Crayford trainer Mark Fenwick is making the short journey to Romford with a few new faces yet to run around Romford in race conditions.
Foxwood Boom is first up for the kennels in heat one of the Friday night maidens over 400 metres at 7.46pm. The son of Tullymurry Act and Ballyrobin Pearl makes his race debut tonight on these shores and will be looking to make it a winning start. The October ‘15 whelp has only had one race in Ireland at Galway so is practically a novice. For a first look at Romford in a recent solo trial he clocked a decent calculated time of 24.48 with a sectional time of 3.87.
Trainer Mark Fenwick on Foxwood Boom said: “I was very pleased with his trial at Romford. His trials at Crayford were a bit average. He should find more time on his Romford trial whether that will be on Friday we will see.
“He looks a very nice dog but needs plenty of races and 400 metres is as far as he wants at the moment. He should come on from his trial and hope he continues to improve.
“We were looking for a Romford dog good enough for Friday night opens and when he starts to grow up and gets fitter we hope he will train on. The race on Friday is all about getting him race experience. Winning would be a bonus but we just want to get him experience and see how he gets on.”
Skybet make Foxwood Boom 11/4. He is expected to find more time and if that time is tonight then the 11/4 being offered is very generous.
Rylane Dash makes her Romford debut over 575 metres tonight in the stayers race at 9.44pm. The daughter of Rumble Impact and Brookville Dash will not have any staying issues as she has won over 714 metres at Crayford in an open race. The November ’14 whelp has had a spin around Romford over 400 metres clocking a good calculated time of 24.39 seconds. For a greyhound that is practically a marathon runner, the time of 24.39 would have pleased connections. If lying handy in the closing stages she could be a player with her finishing prowess.
Trainer Mark Fenwick on her said: “I originally wanted her in a 750 metres race but that didn’t fill so have put her in a 575 metres race instead.
“She is improving with every race at Crayford and if she finds time on her sectionals she could be a really good open racer.
“We bought her as a 575 metres bitch for Friday nights at Romford but has become more of an eight bend type. At this stage we don’t know how good she will be over eight bends.
“I was very pleased with her trial especially as she has not run in ten days. She has a nice draw on Friday and will see how she goes. Hopefully she stays with them and shows her finishing ability.”
Paddy Power make Rylane Dash an 11/2 poke and that seems a bit big and should be considered. She will struggle to keep with the pack in the early exchanges but if there is any scrimmaging in front she will be perfectly placed to pounce in the latter stages.
Joeys Delight is making his Romford debut tonight at 6.36pm over 225 metres for Towcester trainer Reggie Allder. Racing before the Racing Post TV cameras start rolling the son of Roxholme Bully and Millbrook Gaga will be looking to make it two from two. His last win was at Henlow over 277 metres. The December ’14 whelp has been predominately running in sprint races and has also notched a win at Towcester over 260 metres in a D2 graded race. He looks well drawn and if taking to the track could be a player.
Trainer Reggie Allder on his charge said: “He was a fair dog in Ireland. He won a D2 at Towcester then picked up an injury and was off for a couple of months. He is back from that now and won at Henlow over the sprint trip a couple of weeks ago.
“He is an interesting dog and very easy to handle. I’m happy with trap six and will see how he breaks without a trial around the track. If he does break like he can he has a chance.
“I want to step him up in trip and see how he gets on. If he takes to Romford he will probably be entered for a 400 metres race or a 428 metres race at Henlow.”
Regular readers of this column would have been on a couple of winners last week. First Graces Blueboy obliges at an SP return of 7/4 then Haliska Rubra storms home as a 4/5 SP winner. Those who took my advice early would have had prices of 11/4 and 5/4.
It is also worth following greyhounds covered in this column for future weeks. Ridgedale Prince trained by Phil Simmonds lost his first race at Romford after fluffing his lines at the traps but has won his following two races at SP returns of 2/1 and 5/2.
