Taberner hopeful ahead of Aero Nejam's Romford Puppy Cup bid

Nejam excites Taberner 

Richie Taberner is excited to see what Aero Nejam can do in the Coral Romford Puppy Cup, which gets underwaythis Friday.

After finding her stamina stretched over 480m at Monmore, Taberner sent his bitch down for a 400m open at Romford on August 22nd and she made all in a pleasing 24.10.

The daughter of Grangeview Ten and Scooby Duchess impressed with her smart early speed on that occasion and saw the shorter trip out well.

Her handler expects her to come on for that first look at Romford and believes the track should be more to her liking.

Taberner said: “She didn’t get the 480m strong at Monmore but she has ferocious early pace which won her a nice little open race at Monmore. 

“So, we took her down for a trial stake for this competition at Romford and she came out in a split time (3.62) similar to Magical Luka. Romford is that sort of track – if you can lead round the opening bend then it is always difficult for dogs to come from behind. We’re just hoping she is going to stay the 400m every time .

“It was her first look at the track as well and she did 24.10, so we would expect her to find a bit of time. If she can pop out, then she could be a difficult bitch to beat around there.”

The form of that race has worked out well, with Ted On Fire (second) and Jacktavern Don (third) both winning last week, and Taberner believes she is heading in the right direction.

“I think the dogs that finished second and third to her have both come out and won opens, so the form looks good,” he continued.

“She is a young puppy – she is only a January 2024 - and she’s going the right way, so we’re pleased enough with her.”

Aero Nejam goes in heat three at 7.44pm against the promising Vermithor and Taberner believes his bitch is up to the task if she does what she is capable of.

He added: “She’s got to get out but if she comes out how she has been – she really seems to know how to hit those lids and has led pretty much every race she has been in – I wouldn’t really be worried about anything coming from behind her. Unless Magical Luka is against her!

“You need a lot of luck in these events with trap draws and what dogs you’re up against, but she’s certainly a bitch that can go deep in the competition. “

Keep an eye on Aero Espresso

Taberner also runs Aero Espresso in heat two (7.27pm) at the Essex venue and while he hasn’t pulled up any trees in his trials at Romford, his trainer believes there is much more to from the November 2023 son of Good News and Jaytee Sahara.

He explained: “Aero Espresso has taken a bit of time to come to hand but he’s shown a bit more at home on the gallops and we think he can find massive improvement on Friday. 

“We’re expected both dogs to qualify.”