By Rob Abrey
It’s the semi finals of the Golden Sprint tonight at the Essex Venue. All three semi finals are ultra competitive with only the first two home into the drum for the final draw.
The card however is not all about the semi finals though with eleven other open races all with value to be had. As ever I have found out more about some of the interesting entries away from the semi finals.
Crafty Bubbles trained by Henlow’s Jason Ray could shed his maiden tag at the first time of asking. Entered in a maiden race over 400 metres at 6.55pm the son of Paradise Silva and Dragon Sal wouldn’t of been a natural choice for many glancing at his Henlow form. He has lost his last three races around the Bedfordshire track in A6 graded company but clearly has more about him if his recent trial at Romford is anything to go by. The March ‘15 whelp improved on his first look around the Essex track by 49 spots clocking a calculated time of 24.22.
Trainer Jason ray on him said: “His last look of 24.12 (+10) was fantastic. He was knocked over at Yarmouth late last year in the intertrack and that was him for the winter.
“He will stay 575 metres and that is what we bought him for and haven’t pushed him yet. If he didn’t trial on Tuesday he would have been entered for a maiden 575 metres race.
“We are happy with the draw and hope he comes out the traps better. He has got early and if he broke he would be a handful especially if he got a good pitch at the first bend.
“Trainer Phil Simmonds on Tuesday at the trial session watched his trial and said afterwards ‘this dog is a serious dog’.”
Bet365 are offering 11/4 for him and that is a price that should be snapped up.
Slick Salsa makes his eight bend debut over 750 metres tonight at 9.26pm. Trained by Towcester’s Patrick Janssens the son of Tullymurray Act and Slick Sapphire has won over six bends at Towcester and Newcastle and is now being tested over an eight bend trip. The May ’14 whelp clearly has earlypace but whether she can stay is another matter. Trainer Patrick Janssesns has the answers: “I’m not sure if she can stay the full eight bends. She should go clear though and will be an all or nothing merchant. She is the litter sister of Slick Sebastian but is not in the same class as her.
“She has not trialled around Romford so it is a bit of a gamble but she is well drawn and the early to get in front.”
For a greyhound expected to lead the 8/1 being offered by several companies could be worth taking for a small interest bet.
Newcastle trainer Steven Anderson had a dabble at Romford last week with Nothing To Hide in the Golden Sprint which unfortunately didn’t work out with him being eliminated. As reported last week he had plans to come again this week and he has, bringing a team of three down south.
As ever I have found out more about the Northern raiders.
Barmble Sarah is first up in the puppies only race at 7.12pm, the opening race live on Racing Post TV. The May ’15 whelp appears to be coming along nicely and the drop in distance to 400 metres could be just what the daughter of Zero Ten and Allen Buttercup needs.
Trainer Steven Anderson on her said: “She has had a couple of trials at Romford and has improved dramatically.
“She is a little bitch with lots of early and will definitely be suited to the shorter trip as she doesn’t quite get the 480 metres at Newcastle. I’m happy with the draw and we will see how she goes.”
Considering she needs a shorter trip and has improved with each trial at the Essex venue, the 7/1 being offered by Paddy Power feels a bit juicy and worth a dabble.
Next up for Steven Anderson is Bramble Rafa in the Friday night stayers competition over 575 metres. In heat two at 7.46pm the son of Avatar and Swift Palmer has the pedigree as he has beaten the highly thought of Droopys Yen early in his career. The January ’15 whelp has won two open races at Newcastle over 480 metres but is yet to open his account over 640 metres in two attempts at Newcastle.
On him Anderson said: “He is a dog we think a lot of. I was really pleased with his first trial at Romford over the six bend trip especially with his sectional. If he can do that sectional again he has a good chance. He has a good draw but it is a tough heat so you never know.
He has the pedigree and at 12/1 with track owners Coral feels a tad too big and should be considered.
Bramble Warwick in the 9.44pm over 400 metres makes up the trio for Steven Anderson and the son of Whiteys hawk and Blue Aero has the early pace to try and hold his position at the first bend. The November ’13 whelp has mainly been run over sprint trips and has won two including an open race.
Trainer Anderson on him said: “He doesn’t get the 480 metres at Newcastle but he will get the shorter trip at Romford. He has early but I would prefer him out of traps two or three not trap one which he has on Friday.
“He has had a few looks around Romford which is good as he won’t get lost at the first bend as some dogs do first time around a track.”
