By Rob Abrey
Open races at Romford? It can only mean one thing; it’s Friday. Tonight’s fourteen race all open card has the semi-finals of the Romford Puppy Cup. For those who read this column regularly will be on top of proceedings with several puppies covered in recent weeks still in the competition. Tonight however the focus is away from the Puppy Cup and on other races that have interesting entries. As ever I have endeavoured to find out more about some of them.
Boleys Babe will be looking to shed her maiden tag at Romford first time up tonight for Henlow trainer Jason Gornall. The October ’15 whelp is attempting to win at Romford in her first race at the Essex venue in the 6.36pm race over 400 metres. Only available to watch at the track or in Coral and Ladbrokes betting shops the daughter of Premier Fantasy and Boleys Lass has recently found her groove by winning two races at Henlow back to back in graded company. She had her first tilt at an open race at Harlow on Tuesday and managed fourth place after being unlucky in running.
Trainer Jason Gornall on Boleys Babe said: “She took a bit of time to come to hand and all has seemed to click recently. I’m not sure at this stage if a sharp four bends is her game but we will see.
“She ran at Harlow on Tuesday night and had her back legs taken away at the first bend and still managed fourth place over around four lengths from the winner which was really pleasing. She has a bit of early and I would fancy her chances if she gets out the traps. She doesn’t cut in at the first bend too much so could avoid any first bend scrimmaging.
“I’m happy with the draw as she is a wide runner and being first time up at the track it’s nice to get the trap you want. She is the kind of bitch that takes to a track first time so hopefully will run Romford well.
“Her litter sister is Miss Boley who is in the semi -finals of the Puppy Cup with Phil Simmonds.”
Lost One Dare makes his Romford debut tonight for Towcester trainer Kevin Hutton in the first on Racing Post TV at 7.12pm over 400 metres. The June ’15 whelp has five races so far in his short career all at Towcester. The son of Sparta Maestro and Cragbrien Shaw has recently found form, winning his first race in A2 graded company over 480 metres by seven and a half lengths and coming second in two others by a short head and a head. The drop in trip to 400 metres could be ideal for this lightly raced early paced greyhound.
Trainer Kevin Hutton on Lost One Dare said: “He’s a really nice greyhound, really good. He clocked a quick time at Towcester in his last race. He is a very speedy dog and the hope is he can win first time up at Romford. He is one of those that appears to be able to take to a track first time up.
“He just about gets 480 metres at Towcester. Getting 400 metres at Romford won’t be a problem. I’m happy with trap five as that won’t bother him. Being drawn further away from the rails sometimes helps greyhounds first time up at Romford to get to grips with the bends.
Paddy Power make this Romford debutante a 10/3 shot and that must be considered. 400 metres looks perfect for this well drawn pacey sort and the price on offer looks too big. If getting loose he will be hard to peg back.
Queen Adele will be looking to make it a quick double for Towcester trainer Kevin Hutton in the 7.46pm for maidens over 400 metres. The October ’15 whelp is not only making her Romford debut but is also making her race debut. The novice is yet to race anywhere and will be looking to win at the first time of asking. The daughter of Tullymurry Act and Skate On unlike her kennel mate has been exposed to Romford by having two trials over C&D. She showed improvement in her second trial at Romford by clocking a calculated time of 24.01 with a 3.79 spilt knocking off twenty seven spots from her first attempt around the Essex venue. If continuing to improve she could be a force to reckon with in the months to come on the open scene.
Trainer Kevin Hutton on Queen Adele said: “She is totally unraced. She is from a very good litter, the same litter as King Elvis. The litter she is from is special and luckily I ended up with one from it.
“She could be absolutely anything at this stage. I’m hoping in time she becomes an Oaks racer.
“Her trials were brilliant, especially her improvement and although she is a novice, if she comes away tomorrow [Friday] and leads she will take all the beating.
“She’s really exciting and we are really looking forward to seeing her run.”
Paddy Power make the novice Queen Adele 15/8 to win first time up and that has to be taken. She has had two trials around C&D and showed massive improvement second time around. She has early pace and is from a fantastic litter that all seem to run Romford well.
Regular readers of this column would have filled their boots last week. Of the six greyhounds covered, three won at SP returns of 10/1, 4/9 and ½ courtesy of Queen Anna, King Elvis and the track record breaking Roxholme Nidge. Of the other three Hit The Roaduk qualified, so four from the six qualified to the semi-finals for any ante post bets. Easy isn’t it!
