GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Huge couple of days of racing ahead to round off the year at Shelbourne Park – the 2022 Winter Racing Festival. There is over €160,000 of prize money on offer over the two nights, and massive crowds are expected.
Winter Racing Festival to Cap of Stunning Year
The year may be drawing to a rapid close but this Thursday the 29th and Friday the 30th we will witness some top-class festive action at Shelbourne Park when the two-day Winter Racing Festival will round off a fabulous year of action on the track. The event seems to go from strength to strength and it is a huge boost for all concerned to see some UK challengers come over and test themselves against the best Ireland has to offer.
Both nights action will be broadcast live on Racing Post Greyhound TV and will feature races from 350 yards all the way up to the rescheduled 1025 yards marathon semi-final. The better action is undoubtedly on the Friday evening with over €100,000 in prize money on offer on the night alone, with six races boasting a winner’s prize of €10,000 for the one run. Let us look at some of the action from Friday night.
Juvenile 525 (20:11)
The fourth race on the card on Friday will be the Juvenile 525. Recent St Leger finalist Trinity Junior will have his first run back at the track where he reached the final of the years RPGTV Juvenile Derby. Junior has a fine record around Shelbourne, from his eight starts at the track he has won six times and obviously likes it here, the draw is a slight concern, but he has won form trap five in the past. Clona Duke, the winner of the afore mentioned Juvenile Derby is drawn directly inside Trinity Junior, he posted a quick trial over the sprint trip in his recent comeback spin but will need to be at his sharpest at trap rise. Bogger Hunter is the best drawn dog in the race and will look to make the best of a perfect launch pad, Ballycrystal Ace in two will apply pressure on him for the early lead and he must hold that rival to the turn to be seen at his best. It is a cracking Juvenile contest, and a marginal vote goes to Trinity Junior to resume winning ways.
Open 350 Sprint (20:27)
The two bend speedsters are up next and what a contest this is. Track Record holder Gizmo Cash is back from a spell in the UK. His track record run of 18:28 here in May was simply sensational, however, such is the quality of this contest he will not even go off favourite. Flashing Willow and Serene Ace look set to dominate. The pair met last weekend in an open sprint at Limerick over the same distance when Flashing Willow finished ahead of Serena Ace, that was the first time Willow had beaten Ace in five attempts and I’ll side with Serene Ace to get back to his best and make all. It’s a fascinating contest where the break is crucial. English raider Ballymac Slapup is well drawn on the fence but lacks track experience.
Open 850 Stayers (21:04)
The stamina sapping 850-yard contest is next up where Magical Poppy will be many people’s banker of the night. She was runner up in the recent Galway Oaks over an inadequate 525 before posting a big effort in defeat behind Pablo Escobark over 750 at Limerick last weekend. Poppy looks a certain to race prominent and will be tough to peg back if she leads. Jacktavern Bella is an improving stayer and will be suited by the stamina test and the same can be said for Killara Zoe. Cu Mochua could go well early at a big price, but I am not sure he will have the stamina to see it out. Magical Poppy looks the safest bet but keep Cu Mocha on side at likely massive odds!
Open Bitch 525 (21:24)
The ladies take centre stage next where Oaks Champion Raha Mofo returns to the scene of her greatest triumph. She recently won the Galway Oaks to add to her impressive CV breaking the track record in the process. She has an ideal draw to operate from out wide and is in tremendous form. Both Ballymac Run and Cloheen Lass ran well in the final of the Christmas Oaks around here recently, Ballymac Run ran a huge ran in the final despite suffering defeat. British Bred Derby Champion Fabolous Azzura represents the UK and could not be coming here in better form after winning that event on Dec 20th. For me Ballymac Run was a real eye catcher in defeat last week and I feel there is a big run forthcoming from Liam Dowling’s exciting young bitch.
Open 750 (21:54)
The best named greyhound in training Pablo Escobark is one of my better bets of the night. Amazingly it took him thirteen attempts to get off the mark but he has really come into his own since stepping up to six bends. He was a good winner at Limerick last weekend and has a good draw to try and make all. Hello Hammond is obviously his main danger, Hammond is another who has won more than his fair share since stepping up in trip and has the pace over four bends that made him an English Derby finalist earlier in the year. Pablo has a bit more room for improvement and has slightly more early pace than his old foe. UK raider Savana Ruinart has winning six bend form in Ireland from earlier in the year before she was sold to race in the UK. She has the pace to figure but will need to race up with the pace if she is to do so.
Greyhound Racing Ireland Open 550
The race of the night for many, featuring Derby finalists Callaway Pro Am and Ballymac Finn, add to the mix the first two home from last weekend’s St Leger Final Bobsleigh Dream and Mustang Jet, UK superstar Coolavanny Shado and of course this years English Derby winner Romeo Magico.
Callaway Pro Am went off favourite to win this year’s Irish Derby and is rediscovering his best form since his return from a break. He has an ace draw in red and will be extremely popular. Coolavanny Shado was sold to the UK for a considerable sum, it has not been plain sailing with him thus far with injuries hampering his career in the UK, but when he is on song, he is undoubtedly one of the best from across the water. Ballymac Finn ran a blinder to finish second in this years Derby final when bidding to become the youngest ever Derby final winner, he has been in top form recently and his latest trial was encouraging. English Derby champion Romeo Magico has run well here on numerous occasions and was a little unlucky in the final of the St Leger at Limerick last weekend. The winner of that event Bobsleigh Dream put in a stunning performance to come from well off the pace to collar long time leader Mustang Jet. The lead in this contest is vital. For me, the inside trio maybe the ones to focus on. Callaway Pro Am ran so well in this year’s Irish Derby, and from a perfect draw I will side with the Owen McKenna trained runner to take this.
