GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Our greyhound pundit looks ahead to another massive weekend of racing both sides of the Irish Sea. Including the final of the RPGTV Juvenile Derby from Shelbourne Park and the pick of the UK action.
Racing Post Greyhound TV Juvenile Derby Final
After two thrilling semi-finals last weekend, the final of the RPGTV Juvenile Derby will take place at Shelbourne Park this Saturday night with all the action live on Racing Post Greyhound TV. Let’s look at the runners.
1️⃣ Bogger Hunter
2️⃣ Droopys Got It
3️⃣ Three Cannons
4️⃣ Clona Duke
5️⃣ Trinity Junior
6️⃣ Another Holiday
Verdict: Droopys Got It will start as favourite, currently at 11/8. His performance last week was quick on the clock on a track that was running slightly slower than normal, it was visually impressive too and he beat some of Irelands best youngsters in the process. It’s hard to look beyond him with a repeat performance and he looks to have a decent draw in box two. He is expected to lead up Bogger Hunter and Three Cannons and if leading he will be impossible to contain. Another Holiday has a tricky draw out in six and looks well held by Droopys Got it on last weeks running. Trinity Junior may give the favourite most to think about, he won well last week and is a possible leader if coming away in his best fashion. Bogger Hunter in incredibly fast from bends two to three but lacks a yard of early pace. Three Cannons and Clona Duke will be running on late but cannot afford to get too far behind. I will side with Droopys Got It to take it with Trinity Junior expected to run a big race.
Selection: Droopys Got It.
Yvonne Barry Open 600
The semi-finals of the Yvonne Barry Track Bookmaker also featured on the Shelbourne Park card on Saturday night. The final of this event will also feature on this Saturdays live RPGTV card.
1️⃣ Crafty Kokoro
2️⃣ Bobsleigh Dream
3️⃣ Bockos Crystal
4️⃣ Jacktavern Bella
5️⃣ Bockos Palace
6️⃣ Storys Peewee
Verdict: Crafty Kokoro has been installed odds on to take this and she is hard to oppose from a hard draw. She has had a long enough season so far winning the Corn Cuchulainn and then making the final of this year’s Derby where she ran a blinder to finish third. The key to the race for me is if she can hold Bobsleigh Dream to the turn. If she can manage than she is well capable of running down likely pace setters Bockos Crystal and Bockos Palace. The Bockos pair have the best early pace in the line up and should race one-two into the back straight, and trouble in behind will obviously aid their cause. At 8/11 it’s hard to be strong on Kokoro, she is the most likely winner but at double figure odds Bockos Palace has an E/W chance for me. A small chance is taken that he can lead and benefit from any trouble in behind.
Selection: Bockos Palace
UK Scene
Champion Stakes at Romford
Romford will host two major finals live on RPGTV this Friday evening, The finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Champions Stakes and The Final of The Standard Trophy are up for decision, Lets start with the Champion Stakes due off at 20:54.
Warzone Tom was back to his absolute best last weekend when leading early and running out a facile winner, He was the quickest of the three semifinal winners and will go mighty close to victory with a repeat effort this Saturday. Fast away and making all last week Tom broke the track record for the trip and will surely take all the stopping if leading early. Droopys Garden in one looks well housed, she chased home Warzone Tom last weekend and races from box one for the first time in the competition. She won her last start over this trip from one and has a good record from the box. Antigua Bigun and Aero Squeak both won well last week but look held on the clock by Warzone Tom. I fancy Tom to make all in the final and fancy Droopys Garden to follow him home.
Selection: Warzone Tom
Coral Standard Trophy at Romford
Earlier on the Romford Card the final of the Coral Standard trophy will take place. This sharp four bend event rum over 400m will be won or lost on the break. Droopys Good was a fine winner last week but faces a tricky draw for a railer out in box four, he really will need to take a flier to clear the inside trio. Despite advancing well beyond his fourth birthday Carter Bar is running as well as ever and is not without a chance. Antigua Socks may well have the best of the draw on the rail and will look to make all, however at a big price I would not put anyone off Ayle Blake in six. He has displayed big pace in his last two outings despite not having much luck and the draw could well work in his favor and at around 8.0 he is well worth taking a chance on.
Selection: Ayle Blake
Puppy Collar at Oxford
Fromposttopillar is undoubtedly one of the most promising young dogs on the UK scene at the moment and he enhanced his growing reputation last Friday evening at Oxford when setting a new record for the 450m trip and winning his heat of the RPGTV Cowley Construction Puppy Collar by eleven lengths! Well away from four the son of Droopys Sydney simply blew his rivals away from the outset and was going further away as they hit the finish line. He lines up in the second semifinal and has almost eight lengths on his nearest rival on the clock. It’s impossible to see him beat and Jondel in box six may follow him home. The first semi-final is a more open affair. Lively Lauren was impressive when scoring for us last week and looks to have a decent draw in box trap two on Friday evening. She should have enough to lead up the inside runners and she runs the bends particularly well. Romeo Mission is an obvious danger from six, but I am yet to be convinced six is the best trap for a fast starter at Oxford. I will side with Lively Lauren to make all in the first semi-final.
Kent Derby Sunday at Central Park
The Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby is at the semi-final stage at Central Park on Saturday where the first of three semis are due off at 20:17 and all three will be live on RPGTV. In the first semi-final Burnchurch Mick is fancied to make all from trap two. Mick won well last week from the same box and has the better early pace of his two inside rivals. Chelms Jet made all to win last week in a quicker time than Burnchurch Mick, but Chelms Jet is not always that dependable at traps and it could pay to side with the consistent Burnchurch Mick. Billis Tudor is running well and could follow the selection home. Ivanexile looks the one to be on in the second semi-final, the winner of the recent Birmingham Cup can get back to winning ways and make all with Romeo Top Gun and Arkady expected to give him most to think about. The last of the semi-finals is due off at 21:12 and A chance is taken here that Lizs Legacy can again make all. He showed good early pace last week to lead Broadway World into the bend and contain Ivanexile on the run home. Broadway World is no slouch, and I am hoping Lizs Legacy get clear of favourite Havana Bale Out and build up a sizeable advantage.
Weekend’s Best Bets.
Romford Friday:
Ayle Blake One unit win
Shelburne Park Saturday:
Droopys Got It One unit win
