GREYHOUND PREVIEW: The Winter Derby at Monmore is the main event this Saturday on an otherwise quiet weekend. All three semi’s are previewed by BARRY CAUL.
Winter Derby at Monmore
The early start time of the Winter Derby may not sit well with everyone but one thing that we can all agree on is the quality of the event. Three top class races will be run at the Wolverhampton venue this Saturday where the top two will progress into what promises to be a cracking the final, a week on Saturday.
1️⃣ The first heat is packed with quality. Links Maverick returned to action with a promising effort behind King Capaldi last time out. That was his first race since November of last year and Tom Heilbron’s charge is sure to come on for the outing. He simply loves the red jacket and has won all six starts when running from one. Coolavanny Shado is another with claims. One of the fastest in training when he does thing right, but he can be oh so frustrating to follow. Shado can miss the kick on occasions and its hard to predict how he will come away this Saturday. He won his last start around here when racing from four. Shado should have too much early zip for Drive On Lad in three and will head for the rails on the run to the corner. He must lead this field to be seen at his best but is well able to do so. Churchfield Syd is another who is well capable on his day and has an ace draw in six. Syd is likely to go up well but for me was a shade disappointing last time out. Bluejig Baron and Drive On Lad will be motoring from halfway while Kila Detail may need a little luck.
2️⃣ King Sydney will be well fancied in the second semi-final. He has already taken well to the track and ran out a facile winner in the opening round when powering home from the third bend. There is not much early pace on the inside in this heat and Sydney will be hard to hold if securing a decent pitch early. Skywalker Pele is another to consider, the youngster of the line up posted a good trial before the opening round and ran out an impressive winner when well backed to do so. Droopys Eddie won in 28:09 around here last month and will be bang there with a repeat. A recent Puppy Derby finalist at Towcester, Eddie can go well here and must be respected. Bogger Rambo deserves a mention, he has done very little wrong since moving over from Ireland and will look to make all.
3️⃣ The last of the three semi-finals sees last weeks fastest heat winner Queen Joni go from trap one. She has now won her last four starts and is hard to peg back once leading. She broke the track record at Swindon back in September and has only been beaten once since. King Capaldi was another to make all in the opening round and the race to the corner between the inside duo will be key to the outcome. Burj Khalifa got the better of Whyaye Man late on last time. They reoppose once again but may have too much on come halfway. Its hard to Oppose Joni in her current form and she just gets the nod on the Betdaq Exchange.
