GREYHOUND PREVIEW: With the Irish Greyhound Derby set to start next Friday & Saturday night the best of this weekend’s action comes from the UK. Friday night at Romford features the semi-finals of the Coral Silver Standard and also the semis of the Champions Stakes and at Central Park on Saturday it’s the semi-finals of the Kent Derby. All events previewed.
We are just over a week away from the start of the 2024 Irish Greyhound Derby. The draw is due to be made at 12 noon this coming Monday 14th. Before that we have some excellent racing to look forward to in the UK with the best of the action coming from Romford and Central Park, while English Derby Champion De Lahdedah returns to action at Shelbourne Park this Saturday in his first race since winning the Towcester showpiece.
Romford Friday – Silver Standard
Its semi-final time at Romford this Friday where both the Silver Standard and the Champion Stakes are at the last eighteen stage. The top two will progress from each of the three semis into next week’s respective finals. The Silver Standard is up first and in the opening heat I think Davo You Go can turn the form around with the reopposing Pro Parker. Parker made all on that occasion, but Davo You Go can start better this weekend. The lightly raced son of Gaytime Hawk has posted two sub 3.70 sectionals in the past and if reproducing one of those starts, he will prove tough to beat.
In the second semi Droopys Pharoah is another that brings form from the Pro Parker race. Pharoah is running consistently well of late and has a good draw out wide. On The Banks has a big engine but is becoming a little frustrating to follow while Headford Genius has won his last two around here and must be feared, but the vote just goes to Droopys Pharoah. The last of the semis looks tricky to call, Brindle Bully arrives here in the form of his life having won his last four at the track including a flashy 23:65 victory. Cunnigar Yousir and Not So Slow should step up on last week’s efforts and its unwise to rule out any of the runners. Maybe Not So Slow could be the one, but it does look like a tricky puzzle to solve.
Champion Stakes
The first semi-final of the Champion Stakes is due off at 20:19. Golden Palace is yet to win around the track but again suggested last week that he should surely shed his Romford maiden tag sooner rather than later. He needs to start better but hopefully trap four can prove a good launch pad. Droopys Vivacity ran well last week as too did Noirs News, but I just feel this could be the week that Golden Palace puts it all together. The excellent New Destiny goes in semi number two. She was sensational last week when making all and will be looking to employ similar tactics here, it won’t all be straight forward if she were to miss the kick, as last time out winners Aayamza Sydney and Never Say No both impressed in victory last weekend and are well capable on their day, but it should go the way of the excellent New Destiny. Gary The Arb overcame some early crowding when winning last time and looks to have a chance of going in again here, he has high class form over four bends and will surely improve for his first look at the track. Swift Depot and Fabulous Sonique look his main dangers, but Gary looks the one to side with.
Recommended Each Way Double:
Davo You Go, Silver Standard – 16/1
Golden Palace, Champion Stakes – 20/1
Both E/W ¼ 1-2-3
Central Park – Kent Derby
It’s also semi-final time at Central Park on Saturday where the top two will progress from each heat into next weekend’s final. In the opening heat Cinderella Tell will be glad she has no King Memphis to face in this. Cinderella has run so well behind Memphis over the last two week and can get her head back in front on Saturday. Newinn Benni impressed in a recent trial run and would have a major say if reproducing that sort of run, Droopys Manowar deserves a mention after his fine effort last weekend.
King Memphis goes in the second semi, and such is his dominance he is already trading at 7/4 to win the event outright. He has won all three starts since returning to action. Romeo Kingpin could prove problematic for the King on the run to the corner and it’s hard to knock Tintraech Trueno on his recent form. King Memphis has no room for error in this, but his class should tell, and he can take this at the expense of Tintreach Trueno.
The last of the semis looks a real cracker. El Tornillo is running at the top of his game, and he looks a likely leader in the final heat. Uncle Freddie will be running on well from off the pace. Havana Top Note has an ace draw on the fence and is another in top form, but can he match El Tornillo early. I fancy El Tornillo to beat Uncle Freddie in the last of the heats. Good luck to all connections.
All the best
Barry
