By Rob Abrey
After a one week hiatus sunning myself the weekly Romford round up is back. There are several greyhounds running tonight that are making their Romford debuts and some that are stepping up in distance. As ever yours truly has found out more about some of them.
Fresh from winning the Star Sports stayers final with Russelena Reggie at Towcester last Saturday, Henlow trainer Jason Bloomfield is on the road again, this time to Essex with three greyhounds.
First up is Edison in a sprint race over 225 metres at 7.12pm, the first race on Racing Post TV. The son of Head Bound and Desirable has been competing in open races over both four and two bend trips recently. The February ’14 whelp has not won any of his last four, all at Henlow but has been beaten by top greyhounds that Romford regulars would recognise in the shapes of Civility Counts and Ballymac Zara. Although he has not been given a recent trial, Edison was given a trial over 400 metres back in November last year c locking a calculated time of 24.46.
Trainer Jason Bloomfield on Edison said: “He has a been a bit disappointing since coming over from Ireland so we have given him three weeks off in the hope that may freshen him up.
“The dog can run. When he gets it right at the boxes he can fly out like Superman. If he hits the lids and gets in front I would be very surprised if he didn’t win but it is an if. We will see how he goes but trap two is absolutely fine for him. He can run out of any box.”
We know this greyhound can break and the 10/1 being offered by Paddy Power seems too big. He can be hit or miss at the boxes but at 10/1 it is almost worth the risk that tonight is one of those hits.
Move Over Donie tackled Romford in a race for the very first time last week and claimed silver in a maiden race clocking a calculated time of 24.53. The son of Ballymac Vic and Move Over Laoise is back for another tilt at shedding his maiden tag at 8.03pm over the 400 metres trip. The July ’15 whelp although running in A7 company at Henlow made a good account of himself last week and could continue to improve.
Trainer Jason Bloomfield on Move Over Donie said: “It was his first look at Romford last week since February and I’m hoping the change of track caught him out a bit.
“He stays reasonable well at Henlow so the trip is not a problem for him. He has plenty of early and if he pings there is always a chance.
“I was a bit disappointed last week after getting beaten after leading. I have given him another chance at the track and it will be interesting to see how he goes”.
Paddy Power make him a 10/1 shot and that is too big. He came up a little short last week but can be expected to improve on that. The favourite is a middle seed running from trap six and has pace on his inside so is no way guaranteed a clear passage. Donie appears to have a clear run and the 10/1 being offered must be considered.
Confused Eddie in the lucky last at 10.23pm makes his eight bend debut over the 750 metres trip. The son of Makeshift and Mrs Bouquet has won an open race at home track Henlow over 692 metres so the extra 58 metres tonight should not pose a major problem. The May ‘14 whelp has had four races at Romford last November over 575 metres but failed to notch a win. He did however manage second twice against top class opponents.
Jason Bloomfield on his charge said: “It is his first time over eight bends. He has handled the 692 metres at Henlow and that is a stiff trip. He has led over 692 metres at Henlow so there should be no reason why he couldn’t lead over the 750 metres trip at Romford.
“He is a nice dog but can be a bit hit or miss and tomorrow is his first time at the track for a while.
“I think he will stay but there is only one way to find out. It is very much a case of watch and learn with him tomorrow.”
Confused Eddie is a 5/2 shot with Paddy Power and that feels a fair price. We know he stays 692 metres so if in front should have enough in the tank to last. He has a clear run to the bend so could build up a lead in front.
Monmore trainer Sandra Ralph is making the trip down south today with two of her charges. As ever I have endeavoured to find out more about them.
Droopys Haiti is first up for the Ralph kennels at 8.37pm in a bitches only race. The daughter of Central City and Droopys Twirl has been running over sprint trips on the open scene since April. In eight races the October ’13 whelp has managed one win and came second four times. She has had one run at Romford in February last year and only managed fourth place after having a torrid time in the opening exchanges on the way to clocking a calculated time of 24.67.
Trainer Sandra Ralph on Droopys Haiti said: “We thought we would try somewhere different with her and the trip will be no problem for her. She has won over 460 metres at Monmore so 400 metres won’t be a problem. She has won at Perry Barr over the sprint trip and has been knocking on the door at Nottingham.
“The draw in trap four [seeded wide] is not too bad for her and the others on her outside will hopefully keep her in the middle.”
Next up for the Ralph kennels is Droopys Pierre in the following race at 8.53pm in a standard affair. The son of Romeo Recruit and Exiles Pride has been down a similar path to Droopys Haiti in that he has been running in two bend races since March winning one at Perry Barr. Although the August ’14 whelp has not had a recent look around Romford he won first time up last year without a trial clocking a calculated time of 24.37.
Trainer Sandra Ralph on him said: “He has been around Romford once before and ran well. The short four bend trip is his distance now as the sprint trips are a little bit short for him now.
“He is that type of dog where he can run anywhere first time without a trial. I’m happy with the draw [trap two] as he won from trap one at Romford before.”
Paddy Power and Ladbrokes make Pierre a 10/1 shot and that could be worth a little nibble. He has been holding his own in sprint trips and has proven himself at the track before. He has a potential clear run to the bend so could be a player.
