GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Our greyhound expert Barry Caul previews the first classic from the brand new Dunstall Park!
As the dust settles on another memorable Irish Greyhound Derby – won in brilliant style by the ever-consistent Cheap Sandwiches the focus of major race action now switches back to the UK. The newly opened Dunstall Park will stage its first classic event this Friday night when the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks gets underway, headlined by star performer Droopys Kathleen. Let’s take a look at the pick of the opening-round action.
Twelve first-round heats are scheduled for Friday evening, and already the superstar bitch Droopys Kathleen has been chalked up at just 11/8 to lift the title. The unbeaten daughter of Droopys Sydney lines up in heat eleven from the red jacket, boasting a flawless five-from-five career record and the track record for the 525-yard trip at Shelbourne Park. Trainer Robert Gleeson has expressed his delight with her progress, both before and after her recent trial at the venue, and it will be fascinating to see how she performs on her first competitive start in 321 days. Raebella Bullet impressed in a recent look around here and is sure to feature in the “betting without” market, but Kathleen simply oozes class. To break the clock at Shelbourne in just her forth start confirms we are dealing with something special. It’s a major coup for Dunstall Park to attract her on such a big night, and a word of credit must also go to Rob Gleeson and his team for making the trip.
Darcy Diamond is one to note in the opening heat. The well-bred daughter of Susie Sapphire scored in an A4 at Shelbourne back in August, a smart effort in a hot contest for the grade. She posted a solid trial on her first look here and, although drawn outside the fast-starting Beatties Lyra, she looks capable of stepping forward and making her presence felt.
In heat four, the strong-running Lilys Bullet is fancied to take advantage of a plum draw on the rails. She has shown smart form over both four and six bends, including a recent come-from-behind success at Towcester in 29:59. Don’t expect to see her feature early, but she’ll be powering home from the third bend and looks the type to keep qualifying. At 150/1 in places, she appeals as a lively each-way proposition for outright purposes.
Heat eight features exciting youngster Strike It Skye, a finalist in the recent Empress Stakes at Towcester and a winner of four straight prior to that. Lightly raced and still only a January 2024 whelp, her best days undoubtedly lie ahead under the guidance of Mark Wallis. Her win at Monmore in August was particularly eye-catching, and it’s little surprise she figures prominently in the ante-post lists. She’s one to keep onside.
At 20:31, heat five sees the eagerly anticipated UK debut of the fast-starting Meenagh Minsk. I had the pleasure of watching her regularly at Shelbourne, where her early sectionals were nothing short of astonishing. Only a couple of greyhounds in recent years have dipped under 2.00 mark, yet Meenagh Minsk posted figures of 1.98, 1.98, 2.00, 2.00, and 1.98 over consecutive weeks, an incredible sequence. While I’m not fully up to speed on the current Dunstall Park clocks, her recent 2.93 trial split looks sharp, and I’ve no doubt she can go even faster.
Best of luck to all connections and to the team at Dunstall Park on what promises to be a fantastic weekend of racing.
