SARAH KINSELLA: The 2016 Irish Greyhound Derby has reached the semi-final stage at Shelbourne Park. SARAH KINSELLA is back for BETDAQ TIPS reporting on last week’s quarters and fancies for Saturday’s action.
Tipperary brought the Liam McCarthy Cup back to Munster on Sunday with a brilliant display of skill and determination. They made sure the cats were not going to get the cream and it brought tears to my eyes. There have been some great battles in recent years between the two but the Premier County came out on top for the first time since 2010. It was a fantastic game to watch and my Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat feed was filled with celebrations from all our greyhound friends.
It was another great weekend of sport and the highlight of it was watching Sonic win (which by the way means ‘having a speed equal to that of sound’) he definitely lives up to his name! I couldn’t believe he beat Rural Hawaii so easily but it just goes to show how fast Sonic is improving. I was a little nervous pre-race as there was a hoodoo hanging over the jolly as all the other favourites went out round by round but Sonic did the business and is a 3/1 favourite to win the Derby.
Some of the dogs that went out ran tired, which is understandable but I think the reigning champion Ballymac Matt seems to be getting stronger and fitter as each week goes by. I think he will make it to the final easily and might become the first dog since Spanish Battleship to win back to back Derbys.
Sidarian Pearl and Holycross Leah are running absolutely exceptional and you know what they say, it’s hard to beat a bitch in form. I met Jerry Melia Saturday night for a chat and he is still confident he can win the Derby. Jerry always has a smile on his face and he would brighten up your day, if he wins this year’s Derby with Holycross Leah she will be the first bitch to win since Spring Time back in 1999.
The fact that Liam Dowling and Owen McKenna are there yet again proves their outstanding ability as trainers and it’s great to have them in the sport, they keep producing the goods. Graham Holland has been so close to winning a Derby, Jerry Melia has never won the Irish Derby nor has Peter Cronin and what about that Roxholme Barkely? This Derby is wide open.
It was a wonderful sight to see the stands in Shelbourne Park packed with greyhound enthusiasts. I arrived really early to get into the car park. There was a band playing when I walked in and my spirit was lifted immediately. I offered Jimmy O’Hanlon a dance but he politely declined so I sat down with Mickey and May and ate half a bag of jelly babies so I was super hyper when the sugar rush kicked in! As the first race was approaching I walked outside and the betting ring was hopping. I had a great night despite the rain falling down on us. This Saturday is going to be extra special as it will be live on RTE so racing starts early don’t forget.
The semi-finals are hard to figure out, let’s take a look.
Semi Final 1
It’s hard to look past Sonic to be honest, he has superb pace and stays and is a flying machine. Blink and you will miss him!! Ballymac Matt to finish second. I think Farloe Rumble will battle it out with Escapism for third.
Semi Final 2
Holycross Leah will hopefully win this. I think she will lead up trap 1 and get a nice run. Rural Hawaii to be second as he will get room from the rest of field as all insiders and I will go with College Paradise for third spot.
Also the Derby Plate Final is on this Saturday. I think Keplar Nine for Owen McKenna will win this. Deanridge Wazzo to be second.
Looking forward to seeing you all Saturday night, it’s going to be electrifying.
Sarah
£25 IN FREE BETS
