Friday open report – Romford and Sunderland

Friday open report – Romford and Sunderland

Twelve open races took place at the London Road circuit Romford on Friday, August 15 with the Maiden and Stayers finals taking centre stage at 8.54 and 9.11.

The Romford Friday Night 500 Maiden final at 8.54 went to Whisky Flame at 3s in 24.00. The Nathan Hunt-trained May 2023 son of Explosive Boy clocked a 3.73 sectional and made all with Gallant King (T5) in second. Odds-on favourite Tasty Turkish (T1) turned in the traps and was left at the start. The January 2024 youngster impressed in the first-round heats, so hopefully we will see him back in action in the coming weeks.

Whisky Flame - winner of the Romford Friday Night 500 Maiden final. Image from Romford Greyhound Stadium X account

The Romford Friday Night 500 Maiden Stayers final at 9.11 was won in impressive style by Capel Moon who made all from T6 in 35.01 as the 9/4 favourite. A 13.52 sectional saw the June 2023 daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet lead round and once on the bunny she was not for catching as she ran out a six- and-three-quarter lengths winner with Savana Cosmic (T5) in second and Zenith Magic (T3) in third.

Capel Moon - winner of the Romford Friday Night Maiden Stayers final. Image from Romford Greyhound Stadium X account. 

A little earlier on, the Welcome To Romford Sprint open race at 6.37 went to Teaboy Brownie with a quick-away-made-all success in 13.34 over the two-bend 225-metre trip at the London Road venue. Odds-on favourite Tullymurry Dylan finished second at 10/11 five lengths behind the impressive winner.

At 6.53 in the Rehome A Retired Greyhound Maiden open race over the standard 400m trip all eyes were on lightly raced Flashing Amber from T1 for the Paul Young kennel. At lid rise, the Ocotber 2023 pup trapped well, paced up into the corner and went onto make all in 24.15 with Exve Strike (T2) back in second and Droopys Verdict (T3) in third.

Ted On Fire (T4) took the Greyhounds Love Sofas Won 1 Standard at 7.11, making all in 24.05 to reward those that snapped up the 5s on offer with bookmakers. Even-money favourite Droopys Will (T3) finished second with Emer Bean (T6) in third.

Two heats of the Romford Friday Night 500 Standard followed at 7.27 and 7.44. The first heat went to course and distance specialist Bacon Roll (T4) in 23,98 with a short head back to Piemans Goalie in second from T5. Whitewood Lenny finished third from T6 and booked his place in next week's final. Heat two at 7.44 saw Shaz Starlite make all from T3 in 23.97 with Yahoo Lolls in second place from T1. Carters Buddy finished third from T6 for the Paul Young kennel.

The Poppy Benbows Birthday Bash open race at 8.01 went to Mickys Tribute from T6 with the Ricky Holloway-trained wide seed hitting the front off the final bend to take the race in 24.20. King Bono (T3) finished second with Jan Jan in third from T2.

Kilmore Dancer (T3) bolted up in the Jim Mcgee 80th Birthday Stakes race with a dominant display of all-round pace from the Mark Wallis-trained runner. Sent off as the 2/7 favourite those that played the odds never had a moment's doubt as he led round and went onto record a flying 34.59 clock, taking the race by over eight lengths.

Kilmore Dancer - winner of the Jim Mcgee 80th Birthday Stakes open race at Romford on Friday, August 15. Image - Romford Dogs X 

Another impressive winner on the night was Alright Gordy in the Furture Of Racing: PGR TV Marathon open race over the eight-bend 750-metre trip. Gothic Kitty led round from T3 and set the fractions, but Gordy was within striking distance, and it was race on. Off the final bend, Gordy nipped up the inside of Kitty and powered clear to take the race in 47.02.

Alright Gordy - The Future Of Racing: PGR TV Marathon winner. Image Romford Greyhounds X account. 

A little later on, the Greyhounds Make Great Pets Maiden open race at 9.28 went to Alright Grace at 12s. Grace flew out of the traps and didn’t see another rival as she made all and took the race by two lengths with Jacktavern Don (T6) in second and Itsur Hero (T1) in third.

The final race on the card saw recent Coral Coronation Cup winner Fabulous Sonique line up from T2 as the 1/3 favourite. The Mark Wallis-trained railer pinged out, clocked a 13.43 sectional and went on to record a 34.85 clock over the six-bend 575-metre trip. Crossfield Ria (T1) finished second, two and three-quarter lengths behind the impressive winner, with consistent course and distance performer Bacon Frazzles (T5) back in third.

Fabulous Sonique - winner of the Romford Greyhound Owners Association Stayers open race. Image - Romford Dogs X 

Sunderland open report 

Four opens took place at Sunderland last night with races over the two-bend and four-bend distances. First up, the Arc Standard opens with two heats taking place at 7.59 and 8.17 over the 450m trip. The first heat at 7.59 went to the odds-on favourite Whitehills Titian from T2 with a dominant display, making all in 26.96 to reward those that took the 4/6 on offer from bookmakers. Lagile October finished second with Dernville Lady back in third. 

The second heat of the Arc Standard at 8.17 didn’t go to plan for favourite backers with Sunnyside Gurka (T4) taking up the lead at the third bend to beat Madabout Peck, who was sent off as the evens favourite from T2. Unanumous Kai (T6) finished third a head further back in a thrilling finish with the winning time recorded at 27.13. 

Sunderland Greyhounds. Image - Sunderland Dogs X account

The Arena Racing Company Sprint final at 8.56 over the two-bend 261-metre trip saw just the three line up with Kiddy Kid (off colour), Niosfearrnabolt (lame) and Not So Slow (ineligable) all missing out. Tullymurry Day (T3) was sent off as the evens favourite and the Yvonne Bell-trained railer pinged the lids and made all in 15.70 with a length and a half back to Chamberlain Hope (T4) in second and a further length and a quarter to Blue Ribbon (T5) in third. 

The Arena Racing Company Winner Of One Standard final at 9.14 saw Crooks Stevie (T4) get the better of Bramble Elvis (T1) in a photo finish with just a short head separating the pair with the winning time recorded at 27.08. Sent off as the evens favourite Stevie led at halfway and kicked for home, but he was closely followed by Elvis in the red jacket, and it was race on. Off the final bend they were neck and neck but on the winning line Stevie stuck his neck out to land the £500 prize money on offer.