By Rob Abrey
Romford is back in full swing once again with fourteen open races on show, twelve of which are on Racing Post TV from 7.12pm. As ever there are several greyhounds making their Romford race debuts tonight and true to form I’ve found out more about some of them.
Millroad Susie for local handler David Mullins is not only making her Romford debut but also her race debut on these shores. Going into tonight’s maiden race over 400 metres at 6.55pm, the June ’15 whelp is not a novice as she has had several races at Limerick and Tralee and one at Waterford. The daughter of Droopys Cain and Millroad Mac won two of those races at Tralee over 480 metres. She has had three trials since coming over from Ireland and they have all been over C&D. She has shown she has a lot of potential by clocking a calculated time of 24.18 in her second trial.
Trainer David Mullins on Millroad Susie said: “We are hoping she will develop into a bit of a stayer. That is our main aim.
“She has done a couple of good trials and will start her off with short races, gradually getting her fitter and see where she goes from there.
“I’m not expecting fireworks tomorrow [Friday], the race is more of a stepping stone for her. If she drops in behind some of the others we can see what she can do.
“We hope she develops into a stayer and as mentioned will step her up gradually. Trap five tomorrow [Friday] is possibly a bit far out for her but we will see.”
Holycross Avril is making her Romford and six bend debut at the same time tonight at 7.12pm in a maiden stayers open race for Perry Barr trainer Lee Field. The August ’15 whelp has only had six races winning one at Perry Barr over 480 metres in A5 graded company. The furthest the daughter of Shaneboy Lee and Good Sarah has run is 483 metres at Doncaster in an open race back in June. On that occasion she only managed fifth after trouble in the run up. She is running well at home track Perry Barr presently and the step up to six bends could be just what she needs.
Trainer Lee Field on Holycross Avril said: “I bought her in April and the mating produces good open race dogs.
“I have had a lot of issues with her and she has not quite shown her original form but is beginning to show it again now.
“She has had four races at Perry Barr recently and is unlucky at the first bend. On Friday she might get to the first bend clear instead of having to come from behind.
“At Perry Barr she is clear to the pickup by seven or eight lengths. I’m pretty confident she will get the 575 metres on Friday, all being well.
“I’m using this race as a trial and if she doesn’t win there is a little maiden stayers competition starting next week so will enter her for that. She is a nice bitch, we have had a few set backs but have got to the bottom of them. Now feels a good time to step her up.”
Bet365 make Holycross Avril an 8/1 shot and that feels a bit big and must be considered. She has not had a trial at the track but there is confidence she can stay and if she can pinch the lead she will be a handful to peg back.
Towcester Trainer Patrick Janssens is no stranger to Romford and tonight tries Affleck Courage at Romford for the first time in a maiden race over 400 metres at 7.29pm. The British bred January ’16 whelp has had five races, all at home track Towcester winning two of them over 480 metres in P8 and P3 graded races. The daughter of Kinloch Brae and Ardine Lunar is coming along nicely and looks one for the future.
Trainer Patrick Janssens on Affleck Courage said: “She has come out of season and has had five races at Towcester winning two of them. She is probably more of a 575 metres bitch than 400 metres but it is a different experience for her. You have to start somewhere. I see tonight as more of a trial. See has miles of pace but 400 metres is probably too short for her.
“She is nowhere near the finished article, she is almost two but progressing all the time.
“She is the litter sister of Affleck Bolt who came third in the recent Towcester puppy derby final so is from a very good litter.
“She had a trial at Mildenhall back in July over 375 metres and did a very good time of 23.50 odd [23.57]. She has great finishing pace and will be flying coming home.
“Trap one is ideal for her as she loves the rails but she will have to come from behind.”
Those who follow the open race scene will definitely know the name of the stayer specialist Russelena Reggie. Trained by Henlow’s Jason Bloomfield the July ’14 whelp has been a star for the Bloomfield kennels and is showing no signs of slowing down. Tonight the son of Kinloch Brae and Russelena Barbie tackles his longest distance to date in a marathon race over 750 metres in the lucky last at 10.23pm. He was recently eliminated at the semi finals of the Kent St Leger after unluckily being knocked over. He won the Ladbrokes.com Summer Stayers trophy at Crayford back in July over 714 metres so the step up to 750 metres tonight should not be too problematic. He has shown no side effects from his recent fall with an exceptional trial time at Henlow over 550 metres last Sunday. His calculated trial time of 32.77 [N] unofficially broke the track record set by the very good Airport Captain back in 2013.
Assistant trainer Kelly Windebank on Russelena Reggie said: “He is really well in himself. He hasn’t been flying out but staying more so thought we would give him a chance to lead over a longer distance. There does appear to be a lot of early pace in the race though.
“He runs Crayford and Harlow when he leads and generally runs well anywhere. If he gets behind he can run into trouble as his track craft is not the best.
“He has shown no ill effects from his fall and is full of himself. Last Sunday at Henlow in a 550 metres trial he broke the track record.
“Were not worried about him staying just want a clear run. If he leads he should win.”
Paddy Power make Reggie Evens to win tonight and that is way, way too big. That price should be snapped up. He is clearly in scintillating form and if leading, expect to here “oi, oi” very early from the Pavillion crowd.
