IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY FINAL PREVIEW: Barry previews the final of the Irish Greyhound Derby from Shelbourne Park on Saturday with a recommended Betdaq pick.
Irish Greyhound Derby THE FINAL – Saturday
Diamond all set to sparkle
After five weekends of pulsating racing, we are down to the final six. One hundred and fifty-six set out last month and on Saturday night one will be crowned 2024 Irish Greyhound Derby Champion. Bockos Diamond has been the undoubted start of the show. He equaled his own track record in the semifinals and has been handed a plum draw in six. Let’s take a closer look at all six finalists.
🟥 Callaway Knegare (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Sweet) November 2022
Owner: The Field Sport Syndicate. Trainer: Owen Mckenna
Starts 13 1st:6 2nd:2 3rd:5 Career Prizemoney €28,220
This year’s Juvenile Derby winner has yet to produce his best in this event. Slow starts have left him with plenty to do. He has a massive engine and has the best of the draw. Trainer Owen McKenna has won this twice in the past and he looks the one most likely to challenge the red-hot favourite.
🟦 Singalong Dolly (Droopys Sydney – Mydras Dawn) Nov 2021
Owner: Gilbert Anderson. Trainer: Pat Buckley
Starts 36 1st:11 2nd:8 3rd:9 Career Prizemoney €26,545
Connections finished second in the 2021 Derby with Singalong Dolly and will be looking to go one better here. Already a classic winner having won the Cesarewitch at Mullingar. Came into this event in round one as a reserve and survived a toss of the coin after dead heating for third in round three. Will need to lead trap one to the bend if she’s to have a chance.
⬜ Cheap Sandwiches (Burgess Bucks – Hearthill Josie) Sept 2022
Owner: Bark Wahlberg Syndicate. Trainer Graham Holland
Starts 21 1st 7. 2nd 8. 3rd 3 Career Prizemoney €10,015
Facile winner of his semifinal and certainly has a huge chance with a repeat. Once again, the trap draw is far from ideal, but he managed to overcome a poor draw last week. Will move wide on the run to the corner but certainly has the engine to play a big part.
⬛ A Lucky Julie (Ballymac Bolger – Julies Paradise) Nov 2021
Owner: James Melia Trainer: James Melia
Starts 21 1st 8. 2nd 5. 3rd 5. Career Prizemoney €23,115
Oaks champion from earlier in the year when she came from well off the pace to force a dead heat with Fleadh Sairde. Her trainer was second in the derby in 2016 and will be looking to go one better here. None will finish faster, but she must avoid Cheap Sandwiches in the early yards.
🟧 Boylesports Bob (Good News – Roanna Bess) Oct 2021
Owner: John Boyle Ned Murphy. Trainer: Paul Hennessy
Starts 32 1st 8. 2nd 10. 3rd 8. Career Prizemoney €35,770.
Runner-Up in this years English Derby at Towcester. Runs in here for the sponsor John Boyle who went close with Boylesports King in 2019. Big finisher who can trap well on occasions. Has some good experience around here.
🔲 Bockos Diamond (Dorotas Wildcat – Seaglass Shadow) Sept 2022
Owner: The Remember Them Syndicate Trainer: Graham Holland
Starts 16 1st 15. 2nd 1
One of the best we have ever seen. Has only tasted defeat once in sixteen starts. Broke the track record here in round three and equaled it in last weekends semifinals. A deserving favourite and most definitely the one to beat.
2024 Irish Greyhound Derby Final
🟥 Callaway Knegare
🟦 Singalong Dolly
⬜ Cheap Sandwiches
⬛ A Lucky Julie
🟧 Boylesports Bob
🔲 Bockos Diamond
Verdict: Bockos Diamond will be the shortest price derby favourite since the mid-50s when Spanish Battle was ultra dominant when winning three derbies on the spin. He is undoubtedly one of the best greyhounds I have ever seen. His pace to the third bend is incredible. The seventeen second third bend split was only broken twice in the 2023 Derby and Diamond has broken seventeen seconds in every round, including 16:58 in last weekends semifinal. It seems only a mistake can prevent him from taking derby glory. However, this is greyhound racing and anything can happen.
For those looking to take him on you have some real stars running for you. Callaway Knegare is a Juvenile Derby winner; Singalong Dolly has already won a classic when taking the Mullingar Cesarewitch. Cheap Sandwiches was an eye-catching winner of his semifinal and can fly to the corner. A Lucky Julie was the winner of this years Irish Oaks and Boylesports Bob was runner-up in the English Derby earlier in the year. It’s a race packed with quality, but such is the dominance of Bockos Diamond he will be a best price 2/5 on the night. Callaway Knegare is my idea of the runner most likely to give him anything to worry about, but a level start should see Bockos Diamond race clear.
It’s a cracking final and I wish all connections the very best of luck.
Barry
