GREYHOUNDS: Previews and picks for the Sussex Cup and Regency Semi-Finals at Hove this Saturday.
Excellent Card at Hove
On Saturday evening Hove will host a fabulous card featuring the semifinals of the Regency, and the semifinals of the Sussex Cup. Both competitions attracted a top-class entry, and three semifinals will take place in both competitions this weekend with the top two advancing from each semi to make the respective finals on Saturday week. Let’s look at the semifinals starting with the Sussex Cup.
Sussex Cup Semi-Final 1
Outright favorite Lauturo goes in the first semi and looks likely to take the beating, a one-time derby favorite he is capable of a flying start on occasions and if he does manage to lead early its impossible to see him beat. He ran well enough behind Warzone Tom last week after a short break and can be expected to come on for the run. Make Noise was a recent English Derby semifinalist and has more natural early speed than Lautaro, he too would be hard to peg back if leading, while Ballyblack Speed was impressive when beating Kilkenny Santy last time out, I will side with Make Noise to hold his pitch early and make full use of his inside draw to take the first semi.
Selection: Make Noise
Sussex Cup Semi-Final 2
Havana Bale Out was an impressive winner when making all last time and will look to employ the same tactics in semi-final two. She is likely to go off pretty short and could be worth taking on. One win from her last six does not really inspire confidence and she has been beaten at odds of 2/7, 8/11 twice, and 4/5 in her last six outings. Sporting Chile posted a track record around Towcester in preparation for this year’s Derby and has not had much luck in a couple of outings around here in recent weeks. Ninja Kerry is my idea of the winner in this, the draw could suit, and he can go up well. With not much early pace in the contest his recent 4.32 sectional could well be good enough to lead, and if doing so would take plenty of beating.
Selection: Ninja Kerry
Sussex Cup Semi-Final 3
Cochise has a perfect draw in two in the last of the semi-finals. Drawn outside of Kilkenny Santy he should have too much early pace for that rival. If he can hold Chelms Switch to the corner, he could be on his way to victory. Warzone Tom was a good winner last week, but I can’t see him making it to the front in this. Coppice Brewer is a possible pace setter out wide and don’t ignore the fast-finishing Lasair Breno out in five. But I will side with Cochise to take semi three.
Selection: Cochise
Premier Greyhound Racing Regency Semi-Final 1
Bombardier and Chelms Cub are expected to dominate the market in the first semi. Both were impressive winners in round one with Chelms Cub just the quicker of the two. The break is crucial and Chelms Cub will need to be alert at trap rise if he is to secure a safe passage around the opening turns. The make up of the race could suit Bombardier. Bubbly Dancer could set a strong early gallop from one and leave Bombardier with room to operate early. I will side with Bombardier to run down Bubbly Dancer late on and take semifinal number one.
Selection: Bombardier
Premier Greyhound Racing Regency Semi-Final 2
A wide-open contest with just over three lengths separating all six runners on last week’s form. Milton Pepe was impressive when coming from well off the pace to score last week, which was only his second start over six bends and remains unbeaten since stepping up to longer trips, there should be more to come, but he does need to knuckle down once he puts his head in front! Lights Out looks the safer option, although she is not getting any younger, she retains plenty of ability and can do it over four and six bends. A tentative vote goes to Lights Out.
Selection: Lights Out
Premier Greyhound Racing Regency Semi-Final 3
Ante post favorite Callmesteve lines up in the last of the semis. He currently heads the market at 11/4 to win it outright. He faces plenty of tough opposition in this and connections will be hoping he can make next weeks final. Alana Pet set some scorching early fractions last weekend before coming home for a facile success in 41:76. Her racing style may suit Callmesteve who normally does his best work from halfway, if she were to trap well once again, she should leave some room for Callmesteve to operate in the early yards. Blueberry Bullet has been expensive to follow recently but always remains capable of a huge run. Droopys Jungle may be a bit too far off the pace to make her huge finish tell. I think it Blueberry Bullet may be a bit of value in this heat and if he were to secure a clear passage early, he could be the one to side with.
Selection: Blueberry Bullet
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