Dear Sir I write this note to you to tell me of me plight,
And at the time of writing, I am not a pretty sight.
Me body is all black and blue, me face a deathly grey.
And I write this note to say, why Sarah’s not at work today.
A famous song from the Dubliners ‘The Sick Note’ and it fits my scenario perfectly as I write to you today from my sick bed.
Some of you might of noticed my absence from the dogs on Saturday night but this wasn’t due to a boozy night or anything (I wish ha). I was hospitalised due to becoming ill Friday but I am on the mend and will be back in full swing Saturday night to grace the Park with my presence.
I was feeling sorry for myself Saturday night as I watched the heats from home on my laptop and couldn’t believe I was missing out on the mouth-watering action from Ireland’s best greyhounds.
Why me, boo hoo, sniffle sniffle but I got over it and was delighted to see the favourites go through and was most impressed by the KING himself – Kereight King.
I must admit I had a pillow over my face watching Paradise Madison as I thought he wasn’t going to qualify after missing his break but thankfully he made third place with his savage pace and always comes home strong – however, my heart was in my mouth.
The great thing about the Derby though is the excitement, even if it does give you heart failure. People who don’t go greyhound racing should seriously have their heads examined and be made to come down to Shelbourne Park for the remarkable classic that is the Derby.
It’s like the Cheltenham of horse racing, the Wimbledon of tennis, the Masters of golf. Outstanding action, great craic, wonderful people and heart thumping action. It’s my second home.
This year’s Derby is proving to be the most competitive I have witnessed in a few years by far. I mean you have Kereight King, Paradise Madison, Ballymac Vic, Cabra Buck, Isabels Boy, Ringtown Snowy, and Tyrur Sugar Ray. Unreal and at this stage and after watching these dogs for weeks now, I actually cannot predict the winner. It is wide open. I can’t wait for Saturday night oooooohhhh.
Let us have a look at the heats and sing the song ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’ woof woof, or maybe not actually haha…
Heat 1 – Ok so Elvis was called the King and he was a legend so I think it’s safe to call Kereight King the ‘King’ as he was absolutely superb on Saturday night, don’t you think? This hound is doing everything right, breaking, pace, no fear, stays. Could he be our new Derby Champion of 2013? Who knows but judging by his performance Saturday night he will definitely go all the way and could be crowned the King of Shelbourne Park. It is a joy to watch a greyhound improve week after week, with every run and with every win brings them confidence and I am getting a great kick out of watching Kereight King improve.
Airforce Diva was fastest from traps in this heat followed by Kereight King as the two ran to the first bend but Airfoce Diva got bumped and Kereight King got around safely and opened up a nice secure lead up the back straight.
Holborn Junior moved into second place and Tyrur Sugar Ray moved into third place off the second bend. Coming into the third bend it was clear Kereight King was going to win but Tyrur Sugar Ray passed Holborn Junior and was running on very strong but couldn’t catch Kereight King who went on to win in a blistering time of 29.47 by three and a half lengths with Tyrur Sugar Ray in second and Robert Gleeson’s Slippery Robert, who got bumped at the first and ran a little wide, beating Holborn Junior on the line to make third place. A wonderful start to the third round indeed.
Heat 2 – A nice first and second for Graham Holland in this heat as kennel companions Cabra Buck and Hawaii Kinsale battled for first place. Cabra Buck had a great break and raced into the first bend with Hawaii Kinsale and Kilgraney Thomson. Cabra Buck led by two and half lengths down the back straight with Hawaii Kinsale in second and Kilgraney Thomson chasing in third. Hawaii Kinsale was not giving up easily as he started to gain on Cabra Buck and coming into the third bend Kilgraney Thomson was also making a strong run but was forced to check. Off the last bend Cabra Buck was still leading but Hawaii Kinsale came with an almighty run and looked like he was going to win but didn’t quite make it as Cabra Buck held on to win by three quarters of a length to Hawaii Kinsale and El Flutter who got up for third – running on well after getting a bump at the first.
The time was 29.83. Sidaz Eagle made his exit after being bumped on the run up and forced to check at the third bend and got no run. He is one to watch for the future though.
Heat 3 – Yet another jolly won this heat. Isabels Boy came out like the clappers from trap five with Holycross Gerry in second position going into the first bend. Isabels Boy had a clear run at this point and Holycross Gerry was putting in a charge in second trying to catch Isabels Boy.
Nothing Simple ran well from trap one and was chasing in third place but it was all about the two in front. Isabels Boy came off the last bend with Holycross Gerry hot on his heels and was closing the gap with every stride but the son of Accordello was beaten one length by Isabels Boy in 29.97 and Nothing Simple, who didn’t have it easy at the first bend, was a further three and half lengths back in third. A very exciting battle between Isabels Boy and Holycross Gerry.
Heat 4 – The favourite of this heat, Holdem Spy, didn’t look to have any chance of winning after getting a bump at the first but showed tremendous pace over the last two bends and was highly impressive. Carrowgarriff broke the best with Slippery Sooty making a strong dash in behind. Carrowgarriff lad down the back with Slippery Sooty in second and Clydal Jack in third. Holdem Spy was in fourth position at this stage and was making up savage ground. At the third bend he shot past the field as there was bumping between Clydal Jack, Bold Three and Head for Fame. Holdem Spy ran very wide off the last bend but powered home to win by three lengths in 29.99. A serious run from Holdem Spy, the ground he made up was incredible. Slippery Sooty was second and Carrowgarriff third.
Heat 5 – Ah yes, the anticipated race was upon us as Paradise Madison took on Ringtown Snowy, Tynwald Galaxy and Graduation Day – this was surely going to be a hot race. The traps rose and out comes Glenanore Dancer the best with Ringtown Snowy and Graduation Day all trying to make it first to the hare, but where is Paradise Madison? He missed the break completely and was in serious danger of not qualifying. Off the second bend Ringtown Snowy was the leader for Paul Hennessy with Glenanore Dancer in second and Graduation Day in third. Paradise Madison made it up to fourth position and was trying his best to make up ground. Ringtown Snowy was not going to be caught as he flew home to win by a comfortable three lengths in 29.93 with Glenanore Dancer in second and Paradise Madison just making third with Graduation Day fading on the run in home. A nerve racking race, thankfully the favourite made it through. Abbeyville Tipp and Tynwald Galaxy made their exits but only three could qualify, it was a very hot race.
Heat 6 – I couldn’t believe Droopys Jet was 4/5 in this race. I mean the dog was too far out and got bumped at the first but regardless of that he led and had every chance of winning but I still think the draw did him no favours. David Buckey is having a great Derby with Fairhill Paddy and Paradise Madison his two contenders. Fairhill Paddy won this heat in outstanding fashion and wasn’t giving up without a fight. Hot Pursuit broke the best wth Droopys Jet and the two bumped off each other at the first bend which allowed Fairhill Paddy to skip into the lead on the back straight. But then along came Droopys Jet with almighty pace and picked up the lead half way down the back going into the third bend and was surely going to win from here BUT then Fairhill Paddy fought back and whooshed into the lead again on the run in home as Droopys Jet ran out of turbo power and was beaten one length by Fairhill Paddy in 29.92. A great win for Fairhill Paddy, a very consistent greyhound in this year’s Derby.
Heat 7 – Borns Gem the 4/6 favourite was a deserving winner of heat 7 as she came out like lightning and led the whole way to win in an exhilarating 29.57 – girl power !!!!. Ballyana Foxtrot also broke well but got bumped by Borna Gem at the first and came out the worst of the two. As Borna Gem led Ballyana Foxtrot was chasing hard in second trying to seek revenge on Borna Gem and Rockview Turbo was coming with his great pace that he always displays but was unlucky as Ballyana Foxtrot cut him off at the third bend. Melodys Diamond then came with a massive run and got bumped at the first bend as well but ran on impressively and was a close second only a half a length behind Borna Gem, Ballyana Foxtrot was third a further four lengths behind. Here come the girls I say!!
Heat 8 – Perhaps the best is always left till last? This was the case as Ballymac Vic showed us all his experienced form in heat 8 and ran an exuberant race having been sent off the 4/6 favourite. It was Fridays Carroll who led from traps though with Ballymac Vic in second position. However, it didn’t take long for Ballymac Vic to portray his excellent pace and galloped into the lead leaving the hustle and bustle at the first bend as Mall Brandy, Barefoot Bandit and Oneco Impact all made their exit. So it was clear to us all who was going to win at this stage with Ballymac Vic out front and he opened up a lead of 10 lengths or more. Droopys Adler had a burst of pace as he passed Fridays Carroll to make second place but was still beaten eight lengths by Ballymac Vic in a very fast 29.55. Fridays Carroll was third another five lengths behind. Mall Brandy was only beaten a neck as he tried to qualify but the brother of Paradise Madison is most definitely going to win plenty of races an has a very bright future.
Wow, wow, wow, what a night of racing. I was so jealous I missed out but at least I had the Fortune Father and Son team to keep me occupied as they displayed their effortless commentary that leaves you on the edge of your seat, or bed in my case!!
Here is the draw for Saturday below and it is the Quarter Finals already so make sure you get yourself down to Shelbourne Park this Saturday for a guaranteed night of craic and voice damaging action.
ETS IRISH DERBY DRAW
HEAT 1
1 Droopys Adler
2 Ballymac Vic
3 Fairhill Paddy
4 Hot Pursuit
5 Ballyana Foxtrot (m)
6 Cabra Buck (m)
I predict Ballymac Vic and Fairhill Paddy to battle it out and Cabra Buck to qualify also
HEAT 2
1 Hawaii Kinsale
2 Carrowgarriff
3 Fridays Carroll
4 El Flutter (m)
5 Slippery Sooty (m)
6 Holdem Spy (w)
Holdem Spy to win, Carrowgarriff and Slippery Sooty to qualify
HEAT 3
1 Holycross Gerry
2 Isabels Boy
3 Melodys Diamond
4 Nothing Simple
5 Borna Gem
6 Droopys Jet
Holycross Gerry is well drawn, Nothing Simple and Borna Gem to all qualify
HEAT 4
1 Tyrur Sugar Ray
2 Glenanore Dancer
3 Kereight King
4 Paradise Madison
5 Ringtown Snowy
6 Slippery Robert (w)
The well housed Tyrur Sugar Ray should qualify, Paradise Madison and Kereight King also but this is a very hot race and very hard to predict, if this was the Derby Final it would be some race
See you Saturday.
Sarah
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