Our greyhound expert Barry Caul previews a huge weekend of greyhound racing action awaits, with two major finals set to take centre stage. On Friday night, the Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby Final takes place at Shelbourne Park, while Limerick hosts the final of the Irish St. Leger on Saturday, where the outstanding Clonbrien Treaty bids for a historic third victory in the event.
SIS will broadcast the full Shelbourne Park card on Friday evening.
Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby Final Shelbourne Park (Friday)
Trap Draw:
- Getup The Boy
- Unanimous Leo
- Toolmaker King
- Droopys Faithful
- Ballymac Tibet
- Rural Pest
Getup The Boy (Ballymac Cashout – Peckies Flyer)
Owner: Mr Daniel Ornstein | Trainer: Mark Robinson
The youngest runner in the lineup, Getup The Boy produced a career-best display last week, even if the clock suggests quicker efforts in earlier rounds. Remarkably, he’s still chasing his first career win, but what a stage it would be to open his account. This will be just his sixth start, and with a favourable draw on the rails, he has every chance to hold his pitch at the opening bends. Packed with potential, like his rivals, he could be in the mix if things fall right early.
Unanimous Leo (Glengar Bale – Nice Mystery)
Owner: Mr Ciaran O’Sullivan | Trainer: Pat Buckley
Ciaran O’Sullivan enjoyed big-race success at Shelbourne earlier this year with Hopes Teddy in the Easter Cup. Unanimous Leo produced a strong semi-final run behind Rural Pest and will be looking to break sharper this time. Yet to win a round in this competition, but he was the impressive winner of the Kilkenny Champion Open Unraced Final back in May. A fast start could see him leading the inside trio, and if that happens, he’s a big danger.
Toolmaker King (Droopys Sydney – Droopys Curio)
Owner: William Hyslop | Trainer: Rob Gleeson
A classy winner of the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced at Cork in June, Toolmaker King hasn’t had much luck at Shelbourne in three attempts. His best showing came in the opening round when chasing home Ballymac Tibet, but he gives the impression that a huge run is just around the corner. With a decent draw in Trap 3, he’s well-positioned to lead the inside, and if he does, a career-best performance could be incoming. A 6/1 shot when betting opened, he may go off much shorter come race night.
Droopys Faithful (Droopys Sydney – Droopys Curio)
Owner-Trainer: Daniel O’Rahilly
A litter sister to Toolmaker King and the only owner-trained finalist. She made a huge impression on debut here in early July and has backed that up with three solid performances. She ran a cracker when finishing second behind Rural Pest in last week’s semi-final. While her draw may present challenges, she finishes very strongly and will be charging home from the second bend.
Ballymac Tibet (Ballymac Best – Ballymac Minton)
Owner: Metinthehalfway Syndicate | Trainer: Liam Dowling
A greyhound always held in high regard, Ballymac Tibet ran in both the Kirby Memorial and the English Greyhound Derby earlier this year. He returned to Shelbourne last month to land the Champion Plate, and despite questions about the shorter trip, he has impressed, winning two of the three rounds in this competition. He’s strong over 525 yards and, if leading again, will be hard to pass. His 28.12 opening round win was a huge run, and a repeat would put him right in contention.
Rural Pest (Pestana – Rural Aloha)
Owners: Helen & Emily O’Dwyer | Trainer: Graham Holland
The favourite, and rightly so. Rural Pest remains unbeaten in the competition and has really come into his own in recent weeks. He now boasts a perfect record over this trip at Shelbourne (4 from 4). As the sole wide seed in Trap 6, he has a plum draw and looked sensational in last week’s semi, clocking 28.07, the third-fastest time at the track this year. A deserving favourite, and he has a massive chance.
Verdict:
A cracking final lies in store, with all six runners holding claims. The early part of the race will be key; whatever leads into the first bend will likely go on to win.
Rural Pest is the clear form pick: unbeaten at the trip around here and perfectly drawn. Ballymac Tibet is a major threat and would be impossible to peg back if he leads. However, a chance is taken on Toolmaker King in Trap 3. We’ve yet to see his best, and if he hits the front early, he may show us just what he’s capable of.
Best of luck to all connections.
St Leger Final – Limerick (Saturday)
Saturday’s action shifts to Limerick for the final of the Irish St. Leger, where two star names head the market: Hello Diego and the exceptional Clonbrien Treaty.
Clonbrien Treaty recently returned from a spell at stud and continues to prove what a top-class performer he is. Already a dual winner of the Leger, he’s chasing history with a third victory in the event. He has a genuine affinity for Limerick, where he also won the Kirby Memorial in 2023. Over the 550-yard trip, his record is remarkable: 15 starts, 10 wins, and 4 second-place finishes. He is undeniably the one they all have to beat.
Hello Diego will have his supporters and is sure to finish strongly, while the ever-reliable Cagey Billy also deserves a mention for his consistency.
Another memorable night awaits.
