By Rob Abrey
The racing at Romford is back in full swing, the stadium for viewing purposes not so much but the racing nevertheless. With all fourteen races available to view via the Racing Post TV and Coral and Ladbrokes shops the racing needn’t be missed. With thirteen open races on show there is plenty of top class action to view. With several greyhounds making their Romford debuts yours truly as ever, has found out more about some of them.
Bloxwichprincess for trainer Andy Johnson is not only making her Romford debut but her race debut on these shores as well at 7.12pm in a bitches only race. The daughter of All About Ya and Crossfield Reece is making her race debut after four trials at Monmore (x2), Peterborough and Belle Vue over the standard race trips. The February ’16 whelp has however had some race experience in Ireland winning at Tralee on the way to third place in the De Laval stakes over 480 metres. She has also had two races at Shelbourne Park over 480 metres at open race level managing third and sixth place. On those occasions the 480 metres trip took its toll and the 400 metres at Romford could be ideal for the early paced sort.
Unattached trainer Andy Johnson on Bloxwichprincess said: “I trained and owned several greyhounds in the past and most notably co-owned Hee Haws Barney over ten years ago. Bloxwichprincess has early pace but is no Hee Haws Barney.
“When I bought her, I bought her with Romford in mind. We saw her at Shelbourne Park in the first round of the Juvenile Derby. She led to the fourth bend but faded.
“We did try to get a trial for her but due to the recent issues at Romford was unable to do so but thought we would give her a race instead. We were looking at a maiden for her but entered her for a bitches only race instead.
“If she leads she is a different dog and if she does she won’t disgrace herself. I would have liked her inside Barnfield Angel rather than outside her and has to clear her to have any chance.
“I trialled her at the tracks I did as I wanted to keep her to flat fronted traps so she gets used to them. She is only a Feb bitch and I still have a lot to learn about her.”
Ladbrokes and Coral make Bloxwichprincess 10/1 and that should be considered. She is running at Romford for the first time but does have race experience in Ireland and does have bundles of early pace.
Cabriol Madison for Peterborough trainer David Pruhs is back to Romford after one race over C&D back in March in a winner of one open race at 9.26pm over 400 metres. On that occasion the son of Paradise Madison and Blackeyed Beauty came last after having a torrid time. This time going into tonight’s race the January ’15 whelp is in fine fettle winning two of his last four races in top graded races at home track Peterborough over 435 metres. He has won a sprint open race at Nottingham over 305 metres back in April and that early pace will serve him well at Romford.
Trainer David Pruhs on Cabriol Madison said: “He’s a dog that has been drawn a bit poorly. Trap one will be better than trap five, which he had at Peterborough last time out but trap three would have been ideal. He is an out and out trap three dog.
“I seeded him rails as he doesn’t want to be in five. He lost his last race at Peterborough by being in trap five.
“I would be more confident if he was in trap three but you have to have what you get at open level. When he gets it right from the traps he is very good and would be hard to beat if he leads on Friday.
“Hopefully we might get a winner on Friday.”
Fenview Rosie trained by Peterborough’s Paul Steward is in blistering form at present, breaking the 620 metres track record at home track Peterborough in an S1 graded race last time out. Any greyhound that breaks a track record demands respect and if taking to Romford could be a player. The daughter of Kinloch Brae and Princess Aine broke the recent track record set by Ballymac Eliza in late October by eleven spots in a time of 35.92. In a stayers race tonight at 10.23pm over 575 metres the September ’15 whelp is dropping down in trip to what she has been running. With her early pace, that drop in trip might not be too much of a problem as when she does win it is generally from early on in proceedings.
Trainer Paul Steward on Fenview Rose said: “She blitzed her last race and broke the track record by eleven spots off Ballymac Eliza. When Eliza broke the track record she was in the same final and now Rosie has broke that record.
“She was purchased for 840 guineas from auction at Peterborough back in March. She has certainly proved her worth.
“I think she has it all to do on Friday as it is a bit of a hot race. She is improving all the time and with a bit of luck you never know. She has been put straight in at the deep end but should handle it.
“I’m sure she will give a good account of herself and able to hold her own. Whether she has enough in that type of class remains to be seen.
“There is a little competition at Sheffield coming up and we are stepping her down in trip so she can still qualify for that.
“We will not push her too hard at the minute. Trap two on Friday should be okay for her.”
William Hills amongst others make Fenview Rosie a 10/1 shot and that must be considered. It is a good race but we know she can stay 575 metres, has early pace and is in scintillating form. Another idea is to back her with Skybet each way as they offer three places.
