GREYHOUND PREVIEW: In this week’s piece we look at the semi-finals of the Gold Cup from Shelbourne Park on Saturday. In The UK Crayford will host three big finals on Saturday morning live on RPGTV. All three finals are previewed.
Sydney’s to Shine Once Again
Super sire Droopys Sydney continues his dominance of the UK and Irish greyhound racing scene. Roll on this weekend where Sydney’s progeny will be looking to gallop to more success.
Tote Gold Cup at Shelbourne
Galloping Sydney remains unbeaten in this year’s Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Gold Cup. Not for the first time Graham Holland’s charge was well away before showing the best early pace to lead at the opening turn. Keeping up a strong pace throughout he beat off Stream Of Sydney with Kilgraney Sydney back in third, in a competition fastest 28:26, and yes, the first three home are all offspring of the afore mentioned Droopys Sydney!
The two semi-finals of the event are due to be run this Saturday night. The first semi can go the way of Kilgraney Sydney for Thomas Buggy. Kilgraney has always been a greyhound with huge potential but has had consistency issues. His last couple of runs have been encouraging. Rathdown Molly and Bogger Hunter look the main dangers but the draw just swings it in favor of Kilgraney Sydney for me.
The second semi looks much the stronger on paper with Galloping Sydney and 2022 Irish Derby champion Born Warrior likely to dominate the market. Born Warrior has gradually improved since his return from a layoff but will need to come forward again and personally I’d like to have seen a little more last weekend. Galloping Sydney looks to have a good draw in two, he should lead up Stream Of Sydney in red and if leading he would be difficult to peg back. One at a decent price may be the Karol Ramsbottom trained Cheque For Sir. A winner of a difficult heat last week that contained an abundance of early pace Cheque For Sir readily outpaced some smart early paced sorts and is not without a chance in a red hot heat.
Finals Morning at Crayford
Crayford will be the main focus on the early morning/afternoon card live on RPGTV on Saturday where they will host three finals with the main event the Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket due off at 12:24. Prior to the event we tipped up Roll On Sydney each way at 25/1 so hopefully he can make use of a perfect draw in one for us. He is still available at double figure odds for the decider, but his draw does give him a chance. Minnie Bullet and Bellmore Sally head the market as 9/4 joints. Minnie Bullet looks the most likely leader to me and any crowding in behind will aid her cause. It’s difficult to secure a safe passage around the tight Crayford circuit when in behind. I still feel the draw will suit Roll On Sydney and hopefully he can turn close to the pace and prove too strong on the second circuit.
David Wicks Memorial Trophy (Crayford)
Oh Cosmopolitan was the fastest of the semi winners last time out but in truth there is very little to separate all six runners on last weeks running. Incredibly, there is less than a length separating all six rivals on sectional times with 3.52 Newline Donal being the fastest and 3.57 by Oh Cosmopolitan being the slowest of the half dozen. It’s safe to say its all on the break! For me however Catchmybreath and Knockard Rory would have the best of the early pace granted a level break and a tentative selection would be Knockard Rory from trap four. Rory has some cracking form around here in the past and is well capable of going to the bend in sub-3.40. If he were to do that he would lead.
Peter Bussey Memorial Final (Crayford)
The first final of the morning will be the ultra-competitive Peter Bussey Memorial final over 540m. Antigua Sugar is currently the 2/1 favourite and she will be looking to make all from trap four. It’s a tricky looking draw outside Lostrigg Ajay who can go up well. Romeo On Tilt was an unlucky loser last weekend and will have a massive say if he can beat Master Ten Ten (T1) to the corner. Peejays Forever will always give you a run for your money and ran better than the placings suggest last time. Feora Noel in six is another consistent sort with a perfect draw out wide, he has some fine form over four and six bends. I’ll side with Romeo On Tilt, he ran well last week after not getting the cleanest of runs. He should have the measure of Master Ten Ten early and if he can secure a clear run early, he should have a major say.
Weekends Best Bets:
Crayford Saturday
11:54 Romeo On Tilt One Unit Win.
