The New Year is in its infancy and Romford will get the year off to a flyer with the first round heats of their category two competition the Coronation Cup.
The £5,000 to the winner competition over 575 metres has attracted top entries as usual. Along with the six heats there are ten other open races for your enjoyment.
As ever yours truly has endeavoured to find out more about two of the Coronation Cup entrants along with three greyhounds making their Romford debuts in maiden affairs.
Taydal Bay makes his Romford debut in heat two of the Coronation Cup at 7.33pm for unattached trainer Paul Dale. The July ’16 whelp is no novice over six bends though with two runs over 642 metres at Yarmouth. On those two occasions though he only managed third and fourth place finishes. Over four bends since returning from lameness the son of Paradise Madison and Rushmoor Dolly has been in fine fettle winning one A1 and finishing second in another.
Paul on him said: “He stays well. He does a circuit and then starts to run. He does like a clear run with nothing in his way.
“He is now coming to hand. We have had a few niggles with him but he is all good now. He is fully fit and is running really well over 462 metres at the moment.
“He probably will be alright at Romford first time up once he starts chasing. Hopefully he will be about at the finish. Third will do us first time at Romford.
“We don’t mind the draw in trap five. He can come out of anywhere really. He is that type of dog. He has only had sixteen races and is still learning.”
Several firms are offering 50/1 for Taydal Bay to take the outright spoils while Skybet are top price of 8/1 for him to win his heat.
Chanceme Pancy since arriving from Ireland has hit the ground running with two wins from four, all at open race level. Trained by Henlow’s Denis Power the July ’17 has won over both 415 and 592 metres at Harlow. The fact that the son of Head Bound and Kingsmill Jane has won over both four and six bends bodes well going into heat four of the Coronation Cup tonight at 8.06pm. He has had a recent spin at Romford with a 400 metres trial on Tuesday clocking a good calculated time of 24.23. With track knowledge and proven six bend form he may surprise a few.
Son and assistant trainer to Denis, Barry on him on said: “We hope he gets the trip. He won over 592 metres at Harlow but was all out. 575 metres will probably be as far as he wants.
“In a recent trial at Harlow he clocked a 4.79 split which is fast. He can get out and crack on. He does have early; the one thing we are relying on. Hopefully he can get round the first two bends without trouble.
“We gave him a trial at Romford and he clocked 24.23. He may have lost a length at the boxes but will come on for that.
“He has trap two and that is absolutely fine. That is spot on for him. He is in a very competitive heat but hopefully he will be in the hat for next week.”
Several firms are offering 125/1 for him to take the spoils outright while he is generally 25/1 to win his heat.
Perry Barr trainer Lynn Short is braving the Friday night traffic from her Welsh base deep in the valleys to run three of her charges around the Essex venue.
First up for ‘team short’ is Droopys Starling in a maidens race over 400 metres at 6.44pm. The January ’17 whelp races away from home track Perry Barr for the first time tonight after having twenty five races there. Winning seven of those twenty five, all in graded affairs the daughter of Droopys Cain and Droopys Loner has early pace and the 400 metres trip tonight could be ideal for her.
Lynn on her said: “We decided to take her to Romford for a change of track. We have been a little disappointed with her as we expected her to be a bit more than see has been so far.
“The main reason we are at Romford is because of Stevie [Castell Stevie] and thought we would try her elsewhere and see if she is better away from Perry Barr.
“We are not sure if she is in same class as those she is in with Friday but we will see. She is really well bred and if it doesn’t work out at Romford it doesn’t work out. You have to try these things sometimes.”
Skybet make her a 13/2 shot to win first time up at Romford tonight.
In the following race Castell Stevie is next up for ‘team Short’ in a maiden puppies race over 400 metres at 7.03pm. The February ’17 whelp has only had one race on these shores finishing second. That was at Perry Barr over 275 metres in a D2 graded affair. In Ireland the son of Belles Direction and Tomahurra Cloud won twice over 480 metres at Waterford. He appears to have early pace and if taking to Romford may not be a maiden for very long.
Lynn on him said: “He is only a pup and has had one race with us. He finished second in a sprint race at Perry Barr. He missed his break. You can’t do that in sprints.
“He is one of those at the moment where we are not sure where to go with him. He will get better but at this stage not sure he will get 480 metres at Perry Barr. In time hopefully he gets out and hangs on.
“He has capabilities and is our main reason for going to Romford. If he came away that would be lovely. 400 metres could be perfect for him at Romford
“I would rather he is nearer the rails then trap three as at Perry Barr he looks a dead railer. If he comes away he has a chance as he has got a kick.”
Skybet make ‘Stevie’ a 13/8 shot to take the spoils.
The last of the three runners for ‘team Short’ is Never In Doubt in the lucky last at 10.30pm in a maiden stayers race over 575 metres. The February ’18 whelp has won at home track Perry Barr over 480 metres in an A4 graded affair and has had one race over six bends. That was at Monmore over 630 metres in an open race where he finished last. The son of Good News and Clever Lass looks more suited over longer trips and it may not be long before he sheds his maiden stayers tag.
Lynn on him said: “He is another puppy. He is still very green. He is the half brother of Good Champ. They are both out of good News and he has been throwing good stayers. We think he will stay and in time could turn into a nice stayer.
“We haven’t seen the best of him yet. He is still young and should improve. He is a bit like Good Champ where he lacks a bit of middle pace. In time hopefully staying will be his game.
“Trap six for him on Friday is good for him as he definitely needs the outside.”
Skybet are 6/1 for Never In Doubt to win over six bends at the second time of asking.
Before my week off over Christmas, regular readers of this column may have gone into the festive period with a nice 6/4 winner curtesy of Roman Empire. Trained by Ernie Gaskin the exciting greyhound won first time up over six bends clocking an impressive calculated time of 35.21. Tonight as revealed by yours truly he is back for a tilt at the Coronation Cup contesting in heat six at 8.38pm.
