By Rob Abrey
The Golden Sprint final is finally here. After weeks of trial stakes and two rounds the final six battle it out at 9.06pm for the £10,000 winners cheque.
Best odds: 2-1 Clondoty Alex, 7-2 Diablo, 9-2 Ajlo Legalbeagle, 10-1 Chopchop Mabel, 25-1 Barricane Hazard
The regular followers of this column will remember reading about Diablo back on Friday 27th January. Before his first run at Romford trainer Patrick Janssens revealed he was targeting Diablo for the Golden Sprint and felt he would be ideal for Romford. He wasn’t wrong and fast forward to the final the June ’14 whelp is the only unbeaten greyhound in the final. Available at 7/2 with Betfred and Ladbrokes the son of Lenson Bolt and Fortune Lee can extend his winning sequence tonight and claim gold.
Trainer Patrick Janssens on Diablo said: “He won on his first look around Romford but when stepped up in class took a while to adapt, then suddenly the penny dropped.
“He didn’t break well in the semi finals like he did in the first round but showed devastating middle pace.
“If he can break a length quicker than he did in the semis he will be a massive player in the final. I’m okay with the draw (trap two) but Alex in trap one is the dog to beat.
“It’s a very competitive final and all deserve to be in the final.”
The night however is not all about the final with thirteen supporting open races and as ever I have found out more about some of the interesting entries.
Juvenile winning trainer Kevin Boon has not entered Juvenile winner Murrys Act but has brought the next closest greyhound to Romford. Buddy Act is the unraced litter brother of Murry Act and if anything like him he should soon be shedding his maiden tag. Entered in the opening race for maidens over 400 metres at 6.36pm the son of Tullymurry Act and Brave Meave has had four trials around the Essex venue and his best time of 24.44 is encouraging for a novice.
Trainer Kevin Boon on Buddy Act said: “I bought him after I knew Murrys Act was a decent dog. I bought him on a chance he might be as good as his brother on a gut instinct.
“He did a 24.34 in his second trial around Romford and was only three lengths behind Murrys Act. After that he got kennel sickness which took him a while to get back to where he was. He is a complete novice and we will see how it goes with him”.
Barricane Dione in the second race at 6.55pm for maiden stayers over 575 metres is running at Romford for the first time. Trained by Patrick Janssens the March ’15 whelp has been progressing nicely at Towcester and is now looking to win over six bends at the first time of asking.
Trainer Patrick Janssens said: “She is a young bitch and is only two years old. She came over from Ireland and has been going through the grades at Towcester so thought I would give her a go at Romford this week. She could win on Friday and it wouldn’t surprise me if she did. She has a bit about her but is not a top greyhound at the moment but who knows in time.”
Barrow Vic trained by Towcester’s Hazel Kemp is another greyhound looking at winning at Romford at the first time of asking. The December ’14 whelp has been running at Towcester in graded races and the drop in trip to 400 metres could be ideal for him.
Trainer Hazel Kemp on him said: “He has been going through the grades at Towcester and he needs a shorter trip. He doesn’t quite stay the stiff 480 metres at Towcester. He has lots of middle and we will see what happens.
“He is a big dog and a change of track will do him good.”
Hovex Grace in the 8.37pm for maiden stayers can win at Romford tonight at the first time of asking. The July ’14 whelp has been knocking on the door at open level but is yet to claim gold. That could change tonight for the daughter of Mall Brandy and Express Slide.
Trainer Patrick Janssens osaid: “She is a frustrating bitch. Everything seems to go wrong for her. She has won an S1 at Towcester over 655 metres and was very impressive in that race. We entered her for the Golden Jacket at Crayford but didn’t run the place at all and that was that.
“She picked up an injury but is back now. We will see how she takes to Romford on Friday. She definitely stays 575 metres no doubt about it.
“I think a lot of her. She has a lot of ability and if she leads she is capable of clocking 35.20 at Romford. She is not the greatest from behind so hopefully gets in front”.
