BETDAQ’S SARAH KINSELLA reports for BETDAQ TIPS from Shelbourne Park on the second round of this year’s Irish Greyhound Derby. Plenty of drama too as the rain fell on Thursday evening and there was a big shock on Saturday.
Rain rain go away, I sang to myself on the stand Thursday night as God must have been having a good cry with his tears making the Park a wet and gloomy place BUT have no fear as the patrons of Shelbourne didn’t let the rain interfere with the nights racing as the second race was the beginning of the first eight heats in Round two of the ETS 2013 Irish Greyhound Derby. Hooray!
I was feeling a bit melancholy I must admit, the rain does that to me but once I entered Shelbourne the feeling was soon overtaken by a hyper buzz as I stocked up on my coffee and chocolate intake with Noeline Bray and chatted about the racing ahead.
I went looking for some trainers and owners to catch up with and I am not sure if it was my coffee overdose but does anyone else think that Pat Curtin and Niall Quinn (infamous Ireland soccer player) look very alike? Lucky for me I didn’t approach Niall who I thought was Pat or there would of been a lot of confusion!
So there was no real shocking exits from the Derby, but there was a shocking 16/1 winner however which made us all realise this year’s Derby is wide open with the exception of the few obvious ones of course but after talking to Matt O’Donnell over in the weight room, he said anyone can have a top class dog but it’s all about LUCK. Never a truer word was spoken Matt.
Tommy Bolton also spoke to me about his dog in the Derby, Head For Fame. Tommy said if his dog keeps getting the inside draw he will keep going well and might have a squeak but the dog has been around the block to which I replied “a bit like you Tommy” ha ha he chuckled away to himself, just as well Tommy is up for the bit of craic eh! Tommy thinks Paradise Madison, Skywalker Puma and Ballymac Vic can’t go wrong and any of the three can win. Noel Byrne tips Paradise Madison and Skywalker Puma to make it all the way in the Derby also and tips Hot Pursuit as an each way bet.
Ok, enough messing, let’s talk dogs.
Heat 1 – Ringtown Snowy did the business for Paul Hennessy in the first heat. He was wide awake compared to last week when he missed the kick completely but he was perfectly drawn in trap one this time. We all know the Cesarewitch and Ladbrokes 600 dog is capable and he showed just that winning in 29.77 and lead off the first bend in fine form. Bouncy Bocko finished very well to get up for second four lengths behind Ringtown Snowy. Whizzing Around and Carrowgarriff bumped at the first bend and Carrowgarriff was held in but Carrowgarriff ran home well to make 3rd and qualify six lengths behind Bouncy Bocko.
Heat 2 – Paradise Madison missed the break in this five dog race with trap four a vacant trap. Holycross Gerry (Accordello-Wise Susie) flew from traps and galloped into the lead. Skywalker Star was help up at the first bend with Jaxx On fantasy which allowed Paradise Madison to run up the back straight after Holycross Gerry who got away from the hold up. At this point everyone on the stand was a little worried for Paradise but I knew he would pick up pace at the third bend as he started to eat the ground up and kept gaining on Holycross Gerry who was running a stormer out in front. Off the last bend Paradise battled home to win in 29.79 but only by three quarters of a length from Holycross Gerry who was not giving up, a brave effort. Skywalker Star was third a further four and a half lengths.
Heat 3 – Hot Pursuit completed a double for the Kilkenny trainer Paul Hennessy and was a very striking winner. He came out of traps like a rocket and cruised into the lead with no fear of being hampered. He was shouting ‘eat my dirt’ to Head For Fame chasing in second but there was no contest. Hot Pursuit went on to win by six and a half lengths in 29.76 with Head For Fame in second and the flying machine Airforce Diva ran home extremely well to make third place for the ladies a short head behind Head For Fame.
Heat 4 – The eagerly awaited run of Mall Brandy was upon us and I was hoping for a decent price as I thought this dog was a certainty! This race was all about Mall Brandy as he trapped perfectly from trap three and opened up a lead of about eight to ten lengths up the back straight with Melodys Sonic giving chase. He treated us all with a remarkable victory in a winning time of 29.51 and won by nine and a half lengths. Melodys Sonic who got a nice run at the first bend remained second the whole way around and Oneco Impact was third with a strong run home one and a half lengths behind Melodys Sonic.
Heat 5 – The superb Ballymac Vic was back to winning ways Thursday night as he displayed an imposing win. Abbeyville Tipp and Ballymac Vic met for the second time in this Derby and both lead into the first bend but Ballymac edged to the front and after that he was always going to win. There was plenty of cheer for Ballymac as he commenced his lead with Abbeyville Tipp trying his best in second and El Flutter back in third. Roxholme Bully was a non runner in this race. Ballymac Vic went on to win by three and a half lengths from Abbeyville Tipp in 29.55 with El Flutter making third place for Peter Cronin.
Heat 6 – This race revealed an industrious 16/1 winner for Conor Fahy. The lightly raced Tyrur Pirlo demonstrated a fine win and is turning into a nice star for the future. Exocet looked to have the potential lead but held back going into the first bend and Tyrur Pirlo glided around the first and began his lead. Pat Buckley’s Farloe Trent was tracking Tyrur Pirlo but couldn’t catch the son of the great and late Tyrur Ted. Tyrur Pirlo carried on his lead and won by two and a half lengths in front of Farloe Trent in 29.95 . Hawaii Kinsale for Graham Holland qualified in third a further one a half lengths back.
Heat 7 – The rain was still descending from the heavens as heat seven began. Tynwald Galaxy broke the fastest and headed for the first bend with Slippery Robert on his heels. The young trainer from Rathangan definitely done something right as the ideally drawn trap six runner Slippery Robert for Robert Gleeson burst into the lead and opened up a nice advantage. Holdem Spy was making up incredible ground and moved into third place. Tynwald Galaxy was still trying to embrace the lead but there was no hope, the winner was in front. The British trained Holdem Spy passed Tynwald Galaxy at the last bend and was powering home but Slippery Robert passed the line in 29.95 winning by four and a half lengths for owner Larry Dunne. Holdem spy was second and Tynwald Galaxy was third.
Heat 8 – The last heat of the night but the not the least of course was eagerly awaited as Kereight King took on Graduation Day and Cabra Buck. I anticipated Graduation Day to win but I was foolish as Kereight King ran away from the rest of the field and left them for the scraps as the King was most definitely getting his feast after that win. He won by a massive eight lengths in 30.22. Graduation Day was baulked at the first bend but made up ground to take third place. Cabra Buck was second a neck in front of Graduation Day but the winner had plenty of supporters on the stand for Pat Curtin and won easy. All hail the KING!
My predictions for Saturday night are Bold Three, Skywalker Puma, Kilbarry Rover, Boundforthestars, Tyrur Amelia, Paradise Silva, Sidaz Eagle and Fairhill Paddy.
A very wet but enjoyable evening was had by all and I look forward to seeing you Saturday night for more action.
Oh and to leave you all with some interesting ‘facts’ , the greyhound is the only dog mentioned by name in the Bible and Queen Victoria and King Henry VIII kept greyhounds. See, you learn something new every day.
Till Saturday,
Sarah
Saturday 17 August Report
It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt… There were a few too many upsets in the Derby Saturday night as the favourite Skywalker Puma made his exit after inflicting an injury, I felt very sad. The only thing I don’t enjoy about the Derby is the uncertainty, the ‘not knowing’. Of course we want to see all the dogs coming off sound but as the saying goes ‘That’s greyhound racing for you’ and you must take the good with the bad and soldier on. Imagine I was only talking to Matt O’Donnell on Thursday night and his very words were “anyone can have a good dog, but you need the luck” and this really is the case, you just never know. Skywalker Puma’s dream of winning the Derby two years in a row is now over but he was exciting to watch and we will miss seeing him run.
Due to all the commotion and exits, Paradise Madison is now the Derby favourite and rightly so as he is the fastest dog in the Derby and deserves our respect. Paradise Madison, we salute you.
I found some new patrons to get their verdict on the Derby. The Geraghty Brothers from Athboy, these boys are like Rodney and Dell Boy, they would buy and sell ya!! David Geraghty had backed Clydal Jack at 33/1 Saturday night because he seen the dog run in Longford and has dashing early, unlucky for David Tyrur Sugar Ray robbed him of his drink money, hard luck! David fancies Ballymac Vic and Droopys Jet to be in the Derby Final and his each way bet is Glenanore Dancer. His brother Paddy thinks litter brothers Paradise Madison and Mall Brandy will be in the final.
And the heats begin…
Heat 9 – Borna Gem came out of the traps like someone had stuck a nettle to her! Classy bitch she is and is showing us all how competitive the ladies are in this year’s Derby. Here come the girls!! It was Borna Gem, Kilgraney Tomson and Sidaz Eagle who ran on up the back straight and they remained in this order till the very end. There was no catching Borna Gem who won by four lengths in a savage time of 29.55, what a way to start the night off. Kilgraney Tomson was second and Owen McKenna’s Sidaz Eagle was third another two and a half lengths back.
Heat 10 – I was quite worried for Droopys Jet in this heat I must admit as he was running from trap four but he surprised me as he had an absolute flyer from traps and as soon as he cleared the first bend it was all over and it was a matter of how far he was going to win by. Fairhill Paddy for David Buckley ran on extremely well and was second six lengths behind Droopys Jet. Droopys Adler was third one a half lengths behind Fairhill Paddy
Heat 11 – Graham Holland’s Holborn Junior hit the ground running from trap one and railed lovely going round the first bend and flew on from there. Paradise Silva missed the break altogether and was bumped at the first bend along with Droopys Margo, North Bound and Not So Scottish which left a big gap between them as Holborn Junior and Rockview Turbo had ran on. Paradise Silva made a disappointing exit from this year’s Derby for Pat Buckley as he did not qualify. Rockview Turbo again turned on the turbo as we seen him do last week and was drawing closer the whole time to Holbron Junior but didn’t make it and finished second one length behind Holborn Junior in 29.83 with the lightly raced Droopys Margo, who was slowly away, making third place eleven lengths behind for Frazer Black.
Heat 12 – Bold Three for the British Team was the 6/4 jolly in this race but didn’t hold on to win. Bold Three lead most of the way with Glenanore Dancer trying his best to catch him in second place. Barefoot Bandit was running on well but it was Glenanore Dancer who powered home to win in 29.71 one and a half lengths from Bold Three and Barefoot Bandit got third.
Heat 13 – Ballyana Foxtrot passed the line first in heat 13 and won easy. Ballyana Foxtrot who ran from trap 4 came out fast and furious but went across Cathys Clown in trap 5 and Pay The Lolly in trap six which left trap one and two Stateside Troika and Tyrur Amelia to safely get a position around the first bend behind Ballyana Foxtrot. Cathys Clown was chasing hard but was no contest for Ballyana Foxtrot as he ran on to win by three and a half lengths from Stateside Troika in second and Tyrur Amelia in third who ran on very well to qualify. The time was 29.83. Ballyana Foxtrot is definitely one to watch. Lodgefield Turbo was a non runner from trap three.
Heat 14 – Five dogs went to traps in this race with Forest Ralph a non runner. Boundforthestars came out first and headed to the first bend with Slippery Robert and the two dogs bumped off each other a few times. Boundforthestars carried on his lead but Slippery Robert was running extremely well in second and took the lead at the 3rd bend. Coming off the last bend it was starting to get exciting as Slippery Robert, Boundforthestars, Kilgraney Bolt and Drumurrer Vixen all came off the last bend together and battled home but it was Slippery Robert who won in 30.45 by just a short head with Kilgraney Bolt making second and Drumurrer Vixen third a further one and a half lengths back.
Heat 15 – Nothing Simple (my Dad’s each way prediction) showed a lot of class winning this heat. There was an awful bust up at the bend however which was not very pleasant to endure. Nothing Simple, Highview Man and Killbarry Rover were heading into the first bend and Nothing Simple hit off Highview Man who then hit off Killbarry Rover which resulted in an awful outcome for Highview Man and Killbarry Rover as the two of them hit the deck and tumbled over leaving the rest of the field to run on. At this point Fridays Carroll shot into the lead with Nothing Simple galloping well behind and passed by Fridays Carroll with very little effort. At the third bend it was obvious Nothing Simple had the race in the bag and won by three quarter of a length in 30.44 with Fridays Carroll in second and Melodys Diamond in third who made up enormous ground.
Heat 16 – The Sugar Daddy of the Derby won this heat and didn’t have an easy task either. Tyrur Sugar Ray didn’t break from trap five and didn’t look to have a chance after that. Clydal Jack came out the traps running, what an exit this dog made and he lead around the first bend with Isabels Boy and Skywalker Puma chasing for second. BUT THEN, just as we thought Puma was going to take off, he slowed down rapidly off the second bend and we all knew it was over for the Derby champ. However, the race went on and after Skywalker Puma’s dramatic ending, it allowed Isabels Boy and Tyrur Sugar Ray to take off up the back straight to chase after Clydal Jack. The Longford track record holder for the 550 surely couldn’t be bet as he was flying but wait….. Here comes Tyrur Sugar Ray with an almighty run, he goes by Isabels Boy at the third bend, he gives it his all and BOOM he goes by Clydal Jack and romps home to win by three quarter of a length in 29.83. Clydal Jack was second and Isabels Boy was third four and a half lengths back. I would love to see Tyrur Sugar Ray bomb from traps, he is a serious hound. Could he repeat his 29.29 run he done back in Aug 2012? We will have to wait and see…
Ok, so my predictions for this Saturday are not easy ones to make but I think Kereight King will win from trap one and Tyrur Sugar Ray will qualify in the same heat and I anticipate a savage race between them.
Cabra Buck, Sidaz Eagle and Kilgraney Bolt to battle it out in heat 2. Nothing Simple, Holycross Gerry and Tyrur Amelia in heat 3. Bold Three, Carrowgarriff and Clydal Jack in heat 4. Paradise Madison, Ringtown Snowy and Tynwald Galaxy in heat 5 but this is a very hot race I think. Droopya Margo, Fairhill Paddy and Tyrur Pirlo in heat 6, I think Droopys Jet is too far out and Hot Pursuit will want to go in, could get messy. Ballyana Foxtrot, Borna Gem and Rockview Turbo in heat 7 but I will definitely not punt in this race and Melodys Diamond and Melodys Sonic also have a chance, tough race to call. One of most liked hounds in the Derby so far, Mall Brandy, Ballymac Vic and Oneco Impact should all qualify.
With no heats on this Thursday we will all have to wait until Saturday for the excitement and heart in mouth action that never fails to disappoint us. There is only one place to be folks, Shelbourne Park. See you all then.
Sarah
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