GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Barry previews the St Leger Final from Limerick as well as the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and Ladbrokes Summer Stayers from Monmore. All with recommended BETDAQ bets.
Big Weekend of Action in the UK and Ireland
Saturday night will see some top-quality action both in Ireland and the UK. In Ireland the final of the St Leger takes place at Limerick as well as the quarter finals of the Juvenile Derby at Shelbourne. At Monmore on Saturday it’s the semi-finals of the Gold Cup over 480m as well as the semi-finals of the Summer Stayers over 630m. Let’s look at the best of the action.
St Leger at Limerick:
🟥 1. Jaytee Craze
🟦 2. Coolavanny Otto
⬜ 3. Miami King
⬛ 4. Barefoot On Fire
🟧 5. Ventry Faith
🔲 6. Clonbrien Treaty
Last years winner Clonbrien Treaty is favourite to win back-to-back St Legers and bids to be the first greyhound to do so since Time Up Please in the early 70s, trained by Ger McKenna. Treaty was running moderately in the early rounds of the competition but has progresses with each run and arrives here looking as good as ever. His early pace looks sure to send him into a commanding advantage by halfway and it looks a matter of catch me if you can. The problem for Clonbrien Treaty is that there are a host of strong runners in the line-up, and he will need to be nicely clear by the third turn. Jaytee Craze and Coolavanny Otto will be flying from the third bend and surely one of the duo will slip into a challenging position before halfway.
Miami King has been a wonderful greyhound for connections and is not out of it with one of his better starts, similar comments apply to Barefoot On Fire. Ventry Faith posted a PB when winning his semi-final last week when making all but will need a flying start from a less than favorable draw. Its hard to rule out any of the finalists but maybe a small bet on Barefoot On Fire could be the way to go. There is not an abundance of early pace on the inside, and he can go up well on occasions, if he were to make a slick exit his current odds of 6/1 would look real value. Good luck to all connections.
Gold Cup & Summer Stayers at Monmore
Three semi-finals of the Gold Cup and the Summer Stayers will be run at Monmore on Saturday with the top two from each competitions making it through to next week’s respective finals. The first of the Gold Cup semi’s is due off at 7:06 and here Antigua Eagle can be given a chance. He showed good form when trained in Ireland and he has impressed on numerous occasions since making the switch to the UK. He missed the kick last week but still caught the eye in defeat. Eagle can go up much better than last time and it wouldn’t surprise me if he were to make all.
Churchfield Syd is the antepost favourite and this years Derby finalist is impossible to oppose in the second semi. He absolutely flew to the turn last weekend and only needs to break level against these to ensure he holds a handsome advantage at halfway. Syd clocked 27:88 when winning last week and has a massive time advantage on his rivals, Vixons Filofax can chase him home at the expense of the early paced Aero Sacundai.
Cunnigar Yousir has a perfect draw to operate from in the last of the semi-finals. He posted a career best at the track last time out and seems to be running as well as ever. Ballymac John is always to be feared but can be quite frustrating. Icemans Girl is running at the top of her game, and don’t rule out further improvement from youngster Romeo Jackson, however they will all need to step up to trouble Cunnigar Yousir.
Summer Stayers
The first semi-final of the Summer Stayers gets underway at 7:22. Half sisters New Destiny and Coonough Crow are sure to have a say in the opening semi-final and both will be hard to keep out of the frame, but its Droopys Clue who will be hard to beat. Clue is currently even money favourite to win the event outright and should take this is starting on terms. The 630m trip at Monmore does have a very short run to the bend and if missing the kick Droopys Clue could find himself with plenty on against some seasoned rivals. Beware of a silly short price, and it’ll certainly be a race I’d rather watch. Cooladerry Dust was unlucky in the final of the Regency at Hove last month and has since bounced back to his very best. This sort of trip looks ideal, and he should take all the beating in this. Mad For Sterling ran well when winning from off the pace last time and rates a danger but there should be no stopping Cooladerry Dust and he appeals to me at 6s to win the competition outright.
The last semi-final is due off at 8:31 and Queen Georgia looks the one to beat from an ideal draw on the fence. She impressed after a couple of weeks off when making all last time out and still has relatively few miles on the clock over six bends. Savana Jackpot will be flying from halfway and could well nab a place in next week’s final.
All the best
Barry
