ROMFORD kicks off another action-packed weekend for open-race fans with the semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes over 575m - live on the Premier Greyhound Racing/Attheraces service.
Over the next few days, punters can look forward to not just the semi-finals of the Champion Stakes and Silver Standard at Romford, but the second round of the Oaks and heats of the Scurry Gold Cup at Perry Barr, the semi-finals of the Kent Derby at Central Park, and the semi-finals of the Steel City Cup on Sheffield, not to mention the semi-finals of the BGBF Stud Book Trophy at Towcester!
Starting with the semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes and Coral Silver Standard at Romford and it's another cracking card at the London Road venue which, remember, hosts the second Gone To The Dogs - Live! broadcast on YouTube and X on gala finals night next week (October 18).
Final places will be up for grabs in the Silver Standard, Champion Stakes and Maurice Newman Memorial Marathon - and Whitewood Lenny (7.27) could secure his place in the final of the Silver Standard when Maxine Locke's runner goes in a competitive first semi. A lead will be vital in a tight-knit affair but the local hope is a really slick trapper generally.
Maxine Locke also has a strong hand in the second semi-final with both Droopys Bucko and Droopys Pharaoh (7.27) catching the eye. The former can raise his game with a better start than in the heats, although the six-box shapes as the most likely winner after a close call in a decent time in the heats.
The best clash in the Silver Standard is Millbank Boiler versus Brindle Bully (8.01) in the third semi-final. Both were smart heat winners but the way the latter raced away from his field suggests the six-box - a brother of Irish Derby-bound March On Freddie - might take some holding to strike for David Mullins.
On to the semi-finals of the Champion Stakes and Golden Palace (8.19) showed enough in the heats to suggest Michelle Brown's runner could go one better.
He raced well behind front-running heat winner Swift Depot in the heats and was closest at the finish. That tenacity can help the son of Pestana overcome what looks a trappy trap four draw, with Newcastle raider Syds Smurph looking to make the most of a plum pitch inside. Droopys Vivacity could also go well if hitting his stride quickly.
The second semi has thrown up a titanic clash between New Destiny (8.36) and Aayamza Sydney. The former is the reigning Coronation Cup winner, while the latter ran second in the Essex Vase earlier this year. Preference is just for Mark Wallis's bitch who is breaking well just now and can put herself in a decent position - after which it's race on between her and Sydney!
Belinda Green will have been delighted with the heat victory of the back-up-in-trip Gary The Arb (8.54) and he gets the vote to follow up in the third semi.
Fabulous Sonique is a huge danger if trapping well to overcome a tough-looking trap five draw, while Swift Depot consequently has the draw of draws here in six. However, Hove raider Gary The Arb's all-round speed might be tough for this to hold in a clean race.
*Catch our look at the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks, Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup and Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby tomorrow.
