BETDAQ’S SARAH KINSELLA reports for BETDAQ TIPS from Shelbourne Park on the opening rounds of this year’s Irish Greyhound Derby. Skywalker Puma, winner in 2012, is the current BETDAQ ante-post favourite for the race.
Saturday night brought a large and excited crowd to Shelbourne Park. There was a sea of red along both sides of the road as Dad and I approached the park. Liverpool were playing Celtic in the Aviva you see and we almost missed the first race with the traffic, lucky for me my little Micra was trusty and we just made it in time.
You know that feeling you get when you walk up the steps in Croke Park and the stadium is packed with GAA supporters and you can’t think of anywhere else in the world you would want to be, supporting your Country? Well that’s the feeling I get when the Derby is on. I love heading to Shelbourne Park, knowing that the quality of racing is always top class and the social aspect is never a letdown. In saying that however, Dublin Hurlers were a letdown as my bet I placed for the Footballers and Hurlers to complete the double at 12/1 has failed. Bad form but a great game all the same.
I bumped into John McGee and his grandson Jamie and he was looking forward to Graduation Day running in heat 19. John said “Graduation Day loves the inside and has a good chance in the Derby. Jaxx On Fantasy has great early and that’s what you want”. He also mentioned that Paradise Madison and Skywalker Puma are very hard to fault and were very impressive Thursday night.
Let’s get to business and talk about the ten heats.
Heat 11 – We shuffled our way through the crowd on the stand and got ourselves a good view for the first race, this was a special race for us as Accordello’s pup Holycross Gerry was running in trap 1 for Peter Cronin and is proving to be a nice little dog for Dello’s career. Holborn Junior led around the first bend from Holycross Gerry and pushed along nicely using his early gears. The British form dog however was being crept upon by the 2012 Derby finalist Tyrur Sugar Ray in trap three who thankfully made a fast recovery from his injury and was nearly not going to be running in the Derby at all. Coming up the back straight Tyrur Sugar Ray passed Holycross Gerry and was heading for Holborn Junior. Off the last bend Tyrur Sugar Ray scooted around tight to the rails and powered home beating Holborn Junior in 29.63 by one and a half lengths with Holycross Gerry a further three lengths back in third and Ciaras Spain and Lodgefield Turbo in fourth and fifth place respectively. Skywalker Mandy was a non runner making the ‘5 to qualify’ rule a guaranteed place in round 2 for all runners.
Heat 12 – Kereight king was crowned king in this heat but it was not a easy task for him however as Borna Gem came out of the traps running and got clear at the first bend. Kereight King never backed down though and bit by bit he caught up with Borna Gem and flew home comfortably winning by one length in 29.69. The British Holden Spy took off down the back straight and was closing on Borna Gem and Kereight King but could not catch the winner and finished third one length behind Borna Gem. Tralee track record holder Farloe Trent was fourth and Johnnys Star fifth.
Heat 13 – Wow, Tynwald Galaxy made a swift and fierce break from trap two in heat 13 with two non runners in the race, Ardrahan Zebo and Skywalker Silk. Tynwald opened up a good leading distance in front of Kilgraney Bolt for Mary Buggy. The youngest dog of the Derby Fire Height Scot (Nov 11) who Marie Gilbert predicted to go far in the derby, was running on well in third. Tynwald Galaxy could not be beaten at this stage but Kilgraney Bolt was digging deep and was only beaten two lengths by Tynwald Galaxy. Fire Height Scot was a further five and half lengths behind in third and Lahinch Billy was another half a length back in fourth.
Heat 14 – Pat Buckley’s Paradise Silva lived up to the great ‘Paradise’ prefix in this race. Ronan O’Shea’s Exocet who was winning races in Hove recently, broke well but headed for the middle of the track and found himself trouble at the first bend. Paradise Silva who definitely wants the inside showed no fear at the bend as he pushed by Exocet to commence his lead. Paradise Silva was not going to be picked up and went on to win by four lengths. Ballyana Foxtrot was second, Exocet ran on very well to be third and Priceless Rumble who battled with Gizmo Classic going into the first bend, took the last qualifying spot in fourth. Locnamon Bridie was absent due to injury.
Heat 15 – The Galway Tyrur Team were very happy Saturday night as Tyrur Amelia gave them a nice double. Whizzing Around and Roxholme Bully were bumping off each other into the first bend and Whizzing Around came out the better of the two as the favourite Roxholme Bully ran off the bend. This allowed Whizzing around to take lead with Tyrur Amelia and Carrowgarriff gaining the whole time. With an almighty powerful run, Tyrur Amelia cruised home off the last bend to win by two lengths in 30.06 from Carrowgarriff. Whizzing Around made third place just a neck behind. Marie Gilberts Alterra and favourite Roxholme Bully also qualified.
Heat 16 – So much hype had been created during the night for this race but my money was on the very consistent Abbeyville Tipp for Peter Tiernan. With six inside seeds in this race there was surely going to be a surprise result? Rivals Ballymac Vic and Droppys Jet both missed the kick as Abbeyville Tipp, Hot Pursuit and Head For Fame all entered the first bend together. Abbeyville led into the back and from there he was not going to be caught. Hot Pursuit tried his best but couldn’t catch the winner and finished second two and a half lengths behind Abbeyville with Droppys Jet getting up for third, Head For Fame fourth and Ballymac Vic Fifth. Most definitely a surprise result for punters with a winning time of 29.94.
Heat 17 – Another five dog race with the absence of Refuge Of Sinner in trap six. Tyrur Balotelli came out like lightning and edged into the lead. Once Melodys Gamble got into stride she took off down the back stretching out and passing Tyrur Balotelli who was running out of juice at the third bend and Melodys won the race in a classy 29.56 beating Cathys Clown by six lengths who stayed on well. Beaten favourite in the 2011 Derby Rockchase Bullet was behind these in third and Tyrur Balotelli the last and fourth qualifier.
Heat 18 – Highview Man for Gerry Merriman won this heat in fine fashion by one and half lengths in front of Willow Man in 29.81. Highview was best out with Willow Man in second place and Crossfield Star third place the whole way round. Ballybough Hawke and Bit Of Berlin also qualified.
Heat 19 – Graduation Day was one of the most impressive winners for me on Saturday night. Having spoken to the trainer before the race he had mentioned that he loved the inside so the only danger in the race I thought was Killbarry Rover. Graduation was fast away in this five dog race with Ardfert Thunder a non contender and stayed in front to win by four lengths in a fantastic 29.69. Killbarry Rover was second and Universal Dream a length and a half third.
Heat 20 – Yet another five dog race which guaranteed all runners to qualify. Poor Not So Scottish was turned over at the first bend which left the other 4 runners to battle it out. De Dixie Chick for Pat Healy of Ashbourne led after the hassle at the first and looked a sure thing at one point until Rockview Turbo turned on his turbo power and took the lead at the third bend to go on and win the race in 29.88 by two and a half lengths in front of De Dixie Chick. Sidarian Jaguar and Pay the lolly also making it through to round 2.
Some of my predictions for next week’s round 2 heats are Paradise Madison, Skywalker Puma, Airforce Diva, Melodys Diamond, Graduation Day, Droopys Jet, Mall Brandy, Paradise Silva, Sidaz Eagle and Bold Three
That concludes the first round of the ETS Irish Greyhound Derby and what a Derby it has been so far. Thankfully all the red hot favourites are still there and will come out next week to do it all over again. Paradise Madison runs in heat 2 and is a five dog race. He runs from trap two and has plenty of early to worry about with Jaxx On Fantasy and Holycross Gerry in the race but has the ability and class to show them all how it’s done. Mall Brandy looks to have a reasonably easy race and runs from trap three in heat four with De Dixie Chick the only danger. Ballymac Vic takes on Abbeyville Tipp again with Roxholme Bully a non runner jue to injury, this promises to be a very exciting race but I will stick with Abbeyville for this one. Heat 8 has Kereight King and Graduation Day and Cabra Buck and with the early speed of both graduation Day and Cabra Buck I think Graduation Day will take some beating judging by his performance on Saturday night.
SARAH’S FIRST DERBY FANVIEW REPORT – ROUND 1, NIGHT 1
AND SO IT BEGINS….
As Hector O’Heochagain once said in reference to the GG’s ‘Let Yourself Goooooooo’, and this was certainly the case on Thursday night in Shelbourne Park where the annual Irish Greyhound Derby, newly sponsored by ETS, commenced. Greyhound enthusiasts flourished the Dublin Stadium for what was a most exhilarating opening ceremony to the Derby. Let me tell you folks, if Thursdays nights performances are anything to go by then we are in for one exciting Derby so make sure you don’t miss any heats!
OUT AND ABOUT
I met Pat Buckley on the stand and I asked him who he thought was his best chance of winning the Derby and he said out of his five entries he thought Paradise Silva has the best chance. I spoke to Navan’s number 1 charmer, Martin Wallace and Ballivors messer Trevor Cummins and their predictions were both Paradise Madison and Skywalker Puma. Lar Kinsella also picked Paradise Madison and Nothing Simple each way.
ANTE POST
Watching Paradise Madison and Skywalker Puma run with such class and effortlessness made me realise why I love Greyhound Racing. Could Skywalker Puma win the Derby 2 years running just like Spanish battleship did in 1953 & 1954 not to mention 1955? Well judging by the way he ran Thursday, he is definitely off to a good start and ante post punters will be very happy indeed with their bet. Current betting with Ladbrokes makes Skywalker Puma 6/1.
Heat 1 – The eagerly awaited first heat was upon us and what a opener it proved to be with Isabels Boy having his first run since the English Derby, flying from traps to show off his early pace as he whisked around the first bend but only winning by a neck from the constantly gaining Fridays Carroll in 29.90. Hawaii Kinsale ran on well to qualify, Glenanore Dancer and Droopys Margo also qualified.
Heat 2 – Mall Brandy won this heat, a 4/5 jolly and a litter brother to Paradise Madison. His early pace was hard to match for the other contenders and he opened up a lead of 5 lengths or so with fantastic early gears. Kilgraney Tomson got held in early in the race but ran a good race to finish second. Big Johns Girl, Bouncy Bocko and Reserve Forest Ralph all made it through.
Heat 3 – Watching Paradise Madison from traps to finish was like watching the great Frankel, realistically, this is a wonder dog, an exception, a ‘superdog’ and to quote something similar of Mr Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh’s work, “ He is not a small dog, he is not a big dog, he is a handy dog “. Words cannot describe how this greyhound makes me feel, if he were a human id want to date him. He has got style, class, and stays, what more could you ask for!! On a more serious note though, once Paradise Madison hit the ground he took off and bombed into the first bend and up that back straight like his tail was on fire. I thought to myself watching the race that his power from the last bend home was exceptional and to record such a clock of 29.37 in the first round left us all wanting more. Sidaz Eagle ran a stormer however in second, this young dog had only 3 races coming into the Derby and proved that he is still improving and could go a long way in the Derby. Big Surprise was third for Liam O’Rourke and Quail Hollow and Arlie Dazzler were the other qualifiers.
Heat 4 – Jaxx On Fantasy was yet another favourite to win heat 4 and did not break fluently but certainly made up for it winning by seven and a half lengths in 29.84., Locnamon Royal who was bumped at the first and made up ground and got up for second and Rumble Titan was third with Clydal Jack who was also bumped at the first finishing fourth.
Heat 5 – Melodys Diamond ran clear of the rest of the field and was the first of the ladies to win. Melodys Diamond who was third in the oaks and a Champion Stakes Finalist pushed through at the first bend and powered up the back straight to win by seven and a half lengths in 29.78. Poor Ringtown Snowy, the Cesarewitch and Ladbrokes 600 champion fell asleep in the traps and rolled out but ran a cracker to finish second a length in front of Drumurrer Vixen and Barefoot Bandit and Signal Tower qualifying also.
Heat 6 – Bold Three gave the British their first winner but it was a battle with Boundforthestars who trapped extremely well but Bold Three got up on the line in 30.06 with Lookoutforbrodie and Hillcroft Champ also making it through. Bold Three has an outstanding card with 12 wins from just 16 runs, you can’t argue with that form, I have him marked for next week.
Heat 7 – Cabra Buck took the gold in heat 7 who was a generous 3/1 from the bookies, my Dad spoke to Graham Holland before the race and had mentioned to him that he fancied Cabra Buck and said he has great early, he wasn’t wrong, he left a trail of smoke behind him! Sadly Milldean Panther did not qualify and made his exit from this years Derby, there was a lot of anticipation around this dog but he could not live up to his previous performances. Nothing Simple ran a decent race to be second four and a half lengths behind Cabra Buck in 29.80. Oneco Impact was a nice third with Slippery Sooty and Captain Scolari running on to qualify in front of Milldean Panther.
Heat 8 – Skywalker Puma has really gotten better with age I think and impressed us all with his outstanding run finishing first leaving the others behind. The 2012 Derby Winner proved he still has it and won’t let his title be taken from him without a fight, or bite in this instance ha! He did move into the middle of the track though but he really was pure class and romped home seven and a half lengths clear from North Bound and Slippery Robert in 29.41. Bookie Buster and Linwood peter also qualified.
Heat 9 – Skywalker Star completed a sweet double for Frances O’Donnell. There was a battle between Skywalker Star and Tyrur Annaleen to the first bend but Skywalker won the fight and ran on two lengths clear in 29.96. Lotus Paddy finished third, reserve Peads Hawk and Melodys Sonic all qualified with Jaytee Hellcat being an absentee.
Heat 10 – Airforce Diva won the last and 10th heat of the night but she wasn’t the fastest female in Shelbourne, Nicky Holland has to be the fastest dog handler from traps to pick up, have you seen this woman run? My money would be on you Nicky in a race, FACT! I enjoy watching Airforce Diva race, she is one classy bitch with smashing early and this done her justice as she won her dinner easy in 29.68 by four and a half lengths. Fairhill Paddy and El Flutter had their own race behind Diva with Droopys Alder finishing behind these.
SMILE
As I sat down with Noeline, Ollie and Martin Bray, I asked Ollie how he felt after Paradise Madison’s massive run and Ollie replied with a smile from ear to ear “ I am delighted with the run, I anticipated a good run from the dog but not as good as 29.37 “. Best of luck Ollie, Meath need a boost after the GAA results surely?!! Ouch!
ONE TO WATCH
I think Owen McKenna’s Sidaz Eagle is one to watch having his 4th race ever on Thursday and to finish 2nd to the world’s fastest hound cannot go unnoticed
NEW !!!
You can now follow BETDAQ updates on Google+
For further details – CLICK HERE
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also
log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
