GREYHOUND PREVIEW: The Golden Sprint at Romford is one of the highlights of the weekend as the speedsters do battle over the sharp four bends. The run to the corner is crucial, as it’s very hard to come from behind in races of this calibre. Let’s take a look at the six opening round heats from Friday night.
The Golden Sprint at Romford is one of the highlights of the weekend as the speedsters do battle over the sharp four bends. The run to the corner is crucial, as it’s very hard to come from behind in races of this calibre. Let’s take a look at the six opening round heats from Friday night.
Golden Sprint – Romford, Friday
Ante-post favourite Slingshot Poppy lines up in the opening heat at 7:33 from trap four. She was formerly under the care of Pat Buckley here in Ireland and Pat spoke highly of her a couple of times when she contested the Juvenile Derby in Shelbourne Park at the back end of last year. Poppy has had just the one start this year when flying to the corner at Sunderland despite making a tardy exit. She showed huge early pace on that occasion and could be an ideal sort for the 400m trip at Romford. Droopys Will on her inside is no slouch but, off a level start, Poppy could prove too strong. Roanna Mamba has smart winning form around here in the past and can take a medal.
Da Don impressed last time out over the sprint trip at Nottingham when getting the better of Bockos Buster. He has been quite lightly raced since his move to the UK but now boasts four wins from his six UK starts and a step back up in trip looks like it will suit him. Brindle Bully is a top performer on his day and has won his fair share around here in the past. He was knocked over in round one of this last year but his recent efforts suggest he’s as good as ever. Bully just gets the nod to see off the exciting Da Don, while Blackburnybullet can snatch a qualifying place.
Heat three looks one of the more open contests of the opening round but can go the way of Jacktavern Don. Don was a semi-finalist in the Romford Puppy Cup around here at the back end of last year and, despite recording only one win in his last six starts, this does look a shade easier than what he has faced recently. Cronody Zuma looks to be the main danger. Zuma has been keeping decent company of late and has broken 24 seconds around here in the past. Jacktavern Don is selected to get the better of Cronody Zuma.
Heat four looks a cracker and track regular Silver Bucks will have plenty of support on the night for Katie O’Flaherty. The son of Ballymac Wild and Silver Dollar is a real favourite around here and has given his band of owners some incredible thrills so far. Bucks has now won his last three and has finished in the top three on his last twenty-three starts, an amazing run. It’s a tough ask for Bucks but he can’t be underestimated. Piemans Goalie is another track regular who has won five of his last seven. He has a cracking draw on the fence and must have a serious chance. Newinn Souly has long been a class act and is another to have won his fair share around here, including posting a rapid 23.74 when last seen in winning action at the track. The remaining trio of Funky Adz, Slingshot Gazza and Broadway Steel are all capable of breaking 24 seconds. This looks a real minefield for punters and a heat I’ll certainly be taking a watching brief.
Flashing Fender looks to have a huge chance in heat five. The form of his recent Monmore run reads very well in the context of this race. On that occasion he posted a scorching 4.24 sectional on his way to beating Kilara Berb. Fender arrives here in good form and can put up a huge run if finding one of his fast starts. Of the opposition, Bombay Buck impressed when making all last time out and has a chance with a repeat, while Avarua Zlatan is not without claims after running well on her return to action last week.
The final heat can go the way of Bockos Buster, although he will have to be paw-perfect from the boxes. Buster looks ideal for this sort of trip but can be a little tardy from traps on occasions. Crossfield Enzo and Pro Parker are two excellent performers and Buster will need to be on his A game. Pro Parker was particularly impressive around here last time and has posted a couple of rapid sectionals in recent weeks, but Buster just gets the nod to see off Crossfield Enzo and Pro Parker.
Good luck to all connections.
Ante-Post Selections
Crossfield Matt – 1 pt E/W 25/1 (¼ Odds 1st 4 places)
Jacktavern Don – 0.5 pt E/W 100/1
Jan Total: -2.5 pts
Feb Total: +4.75 pts
All the best,
Barry.
