GREYHOUND PREVIEW: We focus on Romford’s Friday night card featuring the final of the Coronation Cup and final of the Golden Sprint.
Finals night at Romford
Romford will once again be the main focus of attention on Friday night when the finals of the Coronation Cup and Golden Sprint will be up for grabs on yet another excellent Friday night card from the Essex venue.
The Coronation Cup is up first, due off at 20:38. Antigua Sugar was the ante-post favorite for the event and she has made it to the final unbeaten, posting a competition fastest 34:82 in last weeks semi-final. The daughter of Ballymac Bolger has won her last six outings and will be impossible to beat if leading early. Although her most recent wins have come from trap six, she did win the recent Peter Bussey Memorial Final at Crayford from trap four. The main danger for me will come from Queen Pink in the red jacket. The youngest finalist is certainly on an upward trajectory having won her last three starts around here and is improving on the clock each time. You feel she will need to lead early to have a chance, but she is capable of doing so if the favorite misses the break slightly. Aayamza Magic is the only dog in the lineup, he is certainly fast enough to have a big say but can be inconstant at the break. It’s hard to see past Antigua Sugar if she traps well and she would be a most deserving winner. Queen Pink and Aayamza Magic can fight out the places.
The Golden Sprint is up next at 20:54. Unsurprisingly the early yards will be vital. Hawkfield Mia has been installed as the 9/4 favourite with her conqueror from last week Gougane Jet next in at 5/2. Signet Goofy is 11/4 and it’s 6/1 bar. Hawkfield Mia can rocket to the corner and has three sectionals in the 3.50’s in recent weeks, something her rivals haven’t got between them. Gougane Jet is relatively new to four bends having stepped up in trip from sprinting. Jet has more natural early pace than Mia but will need to come away at least level if he is to lead her to the bend. He has more room for scope and just gets my vote. Droopys Good will always give you a run for your money and will pounce on any mistakes from the middle runners from his rails draw. Signet Goofy is unbeaten in the event but must do everything right from trap five.
Queen Mother Memorial Cup at Sheffield
The Queen Mother Memorial Cup is the highlight on Sheffield’s Sunday card. Darbys Delight was an emphatic winner of his semi-final last weekend and has been handed a perfect draw on the fence. Formerly trained in Ireland Darbys Delight was a star performer over four bends and has run with real credit since his switch to the UK for Irish owners Leonard Kinsella and Connor Byrne. A clear run should suffice for the powerful son of Over Limit and he is extremely hard to oppose.
Puppy Derby Final at Monmore
The Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby Final takes place at Monmore on Saturday evening. Bradys Bullet looks a puppy of real potential, a stunning winner in 27:87 in an earlier round when making all, he had to do it the hard way last time out when making a mess of the start. Showing devastating pace to take it up turning for home, he looks the one to beat in the final. He won’t have it all his own way with Coolio Gold, Links Maverick and Fearsome Quest all puppies with huge potential. Links Maverick has fine early pace and may set the early fractions with Coolio Gold another who can fly to the corner. Slight preference is for Bradys Bullet to come out on top but going forward it’s a race sure to throw up some future stars.
Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park
The First round of the Easter Cup gets underway at Shelbourne Park on Saturday evening. As you would expect with a major event at Shelbourne it is jammed with superstars including English Derby Champion Romeo Magico, Kirby Memorial winner Swords Rex, Oaks Champion Raha Mofo and last year’s Irish Derby Runner Up Ballymac Finn are just a few to mention. The first four will qualify from each heat. We will focus on the event in more detail as the rounds progress.
Weekend’s Best Bets:
Sheffield Sunday
Darbys Delight. Two Units Win
Romford Friday
Gougane Jet. One Unit Win
