GREYHOUND PREVIEW: It’s the Cesarewitch semi-finals this weekend (Saturday) at Central Park. BARRY CAUL preview all three races including a 14/1 selection. He also looks at the action in Ireland.
Flare Ignite at Central Park
The wonderfully exciting Droopys Flare set new figures when proving too strong for her rivals over the 731m trip at Central Park on Saturday night. Trained by Sean Parker Droopys Flare – who is a sister to Irish sensation Droopys Kathleen overcame a slow start to come home comfortably clear over Hopiehopiehopie. The evergreen Garfiney Blaze still tops the betting. Three semi-finals will be run this weekend with the top two from each progressing into next weekend’s final.
Semi-final 1
🟥 Bombay Zorba
🟦 Hopiehopiehopie
⬜ Fabulous Heka
⬛ Droopys Flotilla
🟧 Droopys Flare
🔲 Alright Patrica
Droopys Flare is the obvious starting point but despite her track record breaking run last week she has no easy task on her paws this Saturday night. The draw could prove problematic, Flare has never raced from this far out in her brief career to date and she will need to sharpen up on her trapping as the standard of the opposition improves. Fabulous Heka and Droopys Flotilla were both winners last time out and Hopiehopiehopie can never be totally dismissed. Droopys Flotilla may well set the pace but for me she will need a long lead passing the stands if she is to make all. Hopiehopiehopie has a huge finishing kick but always seems to leave herself with a bit too much to do. Fabulous Heka impressed in qualifying around Shelbourne and finished behind Droopys Kathleen in an unraced bitch stake before making the switch to the UK. She impressed in victory last week and may just get first run on Droopys Flare. Both puppies have the scope to improve further but at the prices I’d rather be with Fabulous Heka. Her 4.09 sectional around Towcester is eye-catching and she could just nip around if front. If she does, she will prove a tough nut to crack.
Semi-final 2
🟥 Champys Girl
🟦 Head Count
⬜ Unanimous Madam
⬛ Breton Molly
🟧 Harlequin Ocean
🔲 Alright Gordy
The second semi is probably the weakest of the three. Breton Molly ran well behind Garfiney Blaze last time out and looks the safest option. Alright Gordy has the best of the draw and arrives in here in decent form having won his last two starts. Gordy has no stamina issues and should get a nice run on the outside. Head Count is another to come here in decent form. She has won five of her last seven starts and has only had the four starts over six bends winning twice and finishing runner up on the other two occasions. Her 17:01 split from last week is best ignored as she can go much faster with a clear run. Champys Girl Unanimous Madam and Harlequin Ocean will all need luck to get involved. Breton Molly looks a likely leader and may take some pegging back but at 14/1 in the outright betting Head Count is certainly worth a bet with each way terms currently 1-2-3. She is an improving sort, and I fancy her to make the final. Given the trap draw we are likely to lose some big guns and 14/1 could look a fair price if she were to make the final.
Semi-final 3
🟥 Swift Giddy
🟦 Garfiney Blaze
⬜ Coonough Crow
⬛ Droopys Vivacity
🟧 Ballycowen Harry
🔲 Bright Jewel
Last year’s champion Garfiney Blaze has held his form remarkably well over the past couple of years and he arrives in here at the top of his game once again. He has won seven of his last eight starts and overcame traffic to score in last weeks heat. Blaze is now four from four around Central Park and looks impossible to oppose. Coonough Crow has been at the top table in these staying events for a long time now, but her best days do seem to be behind her. Swift Giddy has run well in defeat recently but needs to step up if she is to trouble Blaze. His main danger will be Droopys Vivacity. An impressive winner around here on the 28th of December, Vivacity had excuses when beaten last time and can follow Garfiney Blaze home.
Irish Scene
The rescheduled Dublin Cup will get underway at Shelbourne Park this Friday night after the weather forced last Friday nights meeting to be called off. An A2 competition in all but name you can be sure a start of the future will go on to win the event. Razldazl Edward was an impressive winner of the Gold Collar at Shelbourne last weekend for Derby winning trainer Dolores Ruth. He looks a nice type and should contest all the major events on the horizon.
We have already spoken about Droopys Flare and Droopys Kathleen above. Both are from the Droopys Sydney-Droopys Dancer litter. Well, Droopys Dancer has had another litter to the great Droopys Sydney, and they are about to approach their first birthday! Keep an eye out for some more potential superstars.
Weekend’s Best Bet:
Ante Post Cesarewitch @ Central Park
Head Count 1pt each way 14/1
Barry
