THE KING LOSES HIS CROWN
OMG… As the semi finals unfolded on Saturday night a huge burst of excitement was unleashed in Shelbourne Park and there was some shocking news revealed after racing as Kereight King will not be running in the Derby final due to a broken toe. Just an ordinary night at the Park eh!
What is it about the greyhound racing in Shelbourne Park that keeps us coming back for more? Is it the punting, meeting up with friends, the booze, the food, the exhilarating feeling you get when you back a winner? Whatever the reasons the atmosphere in the Park on any given night is great but when the Derby is on, it’s a pretty special buzz. From a trainer and owner perspective though it’s a little different, especially if you have reached the final and accomplished what most people in greyhound racing think is the ‘impossible’. As far as I am concerned, everyone is a winner in the Derby Final, to get that far with a greyhound and keep him sound is a tough task and credit must be given to the trainers, Conor Fahy, Graham Holland, Robert Gleeson, Liam Dowling, Pat Curtin, Ollie Curtin and connections. A fantastic achievement.
The Final of the ETS Irish Greyhound Derby is upon us folks, with a few days to go and I have to admit that I never would have predicted the final. This Saturday, connections of the one of the Derby Finalists will be singing and celebrating and drinking from the trophy no doubt! I have the weekend booked off as the celebrations start early in my house with my Dad becoming an OAP (no bus pass though ha). Yup 65, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!
I had a bad feeling watching Kereight King run Saturday night as I thought he was a bit flat in himself as I have followed him for the last six weeks and have become a massive fan, it all made sense when it was revealed that the Derby Favourite, unbeaten so far in the Derby had broken his toe and unfortunately will not be running in the Derby Final, this was NOT music to my ears let me tell you. It’s terrible news. Judging by Tyrur Sugar Ray’s run on Saturday night he should be favourite, coming from fifth to first was exceptional and a joy to watch but he is not the jolly and Ballymac Vic is the favourite, even with an injury. This is why we love greyhound racing, the standard has been magnificent and the results have been dramatic to say the least. It leaves you on the edge of your seat and leaves you wanting more, can you imagine what the final is going to be like?? I better lay off this coffee before I get carried away, I am getting goose bumps already and it isn’t from the cold!!
THE SEMI FINAL HEATS
Ray has a sugar rush
Heat 1 – The crowd on the stand was bursting so I got my place early to watch the first heat. I predicted Slippery Robert, Tyrur Sugar Ray and Droopys Adler. At 33/1 Carrowgarriff made an absolute flyer from traps, she is a cracking bitch and her early speed has secured her a place in the final. Tyrur Sugar Ray moved to the inside from trap four as he made his exit from traps which caused Droopys Adler, Tyrur Sugar Ray and Isabels Boy to bump approaching the first bend. At this point Carrowgarriff had taken the lead around the first bend with Slippery Robert, Hawaii Kinsale and Isabels Boy battling it out for second position, Tyrur Sugar Ray was back in fifth position and Droopys Adler was last. Off the second bend Carrowgarriff was still leading and Isabels Boy was chasing in second after getting a lovely run around the first bend with Slippery Robert in third. THEN with almighty pace Tyrur Sugar Ray eats up the ground down the back straight and passes Isabels Boy and Slippery Robert and was catching up with Carrowcarriff but Slippery Robert got a dream run on the outside as Tyrur Sugar Ray stuck to the rails and tried to pass Carrowcarriff. Off the last bend Tyrur Sugar Ray took the lead with Slippery Robert cruising on the outside in second and Carrowcarriff got hemmed in-between and went back to in third. It was all over one Sugar Ray hit the front and he belted home to win by three lengths in 29.87 at a decent price of 5/2 from Slippery Robert in second and Carrowcarriff in third a further one a half lengths back. Hawaii Kinsale was robbed of third place as he an unlucky fourth a half a length behind Carrowcarriff. An EPIC first semi final.
Cabra a dashing buck
Heat 2 – I predicted Kereight King, Ballymac Vic and Cabra Buck to make it through and they all qualified. Running from trap six didn’t seem to bother Cabra Buck as he got a perfect run to the first bend. Kereight King ran from trap four and he moved in when he broke and squeezed together with Borna Gem which pushed her back a little and forced Melodys Diamond to check. Ballymac Vic was back to himself and fought well with Kereight King heading into the first bend. As Cabra Buck lead off the second bend, Ballymac Vic was chasing hard in second and Kereight King was disputing third but checked a little off the second bend and allowed Borna Gem to take third position. Down the back straight they went with Cabra Buck still leading, Ballymac Vic trying hard in second and Kereight King passed Borna Gem to take third position but he wasn’t pulling away from Borna Gem and there was panic on the stand as to whether he was going to qualify or not. Off the last bend Cabra Buck was still leading and went on to win by two lengths in 29.83 from Ballymac Vic in second and Kereight King just got up on the line by a short head for third place from an unlucky Borna Gem. A great semi final but a disappointing run from the King and I hope he makes a speedy recovery from his broken toe.
So, here we have it, the 2013 ETS Irish Greyhound Derby Final, first a word from connections:
FINAL TRAP DRAW
1 BALLYMAC VIC – if he gets a dream run around the first bend it will take a lot to beat him, getting stronger with every run but his cut foot and no gallop this week will lessen his chances
2 TYRUR SUGAR RAY – has the pace to make up ground and is a strong finisher, which compensates for his lack of early, made it to the final last year and has been exciting to watch
3 CARROWGARRIFF – consistent, doesn’t stay all that well but if she leads like last week she might have enough fuel to take her home, great bet for 33/1
4 KEREIGHT KING (N.R) – sadly, a non runner due to a broken toe
5 CABRA BUCK (M) – starts well, stays, consistent split times, trainer is in top form at the moment, I think he will have to lead to win though?
6 SLIPPPERY ROBERT (W) – not the fastest away but has savage pace and comes home strong, could the youngest trainer in the Derby win if he makes the bend in front?
FACTS:
• It has been sixteen years since a dog from trap six has won the Derby
• It has been eight years since a dog from trap one has won the Derby
• Today I attended the Pre Derby lunch in Shelbourne Park and it was very enjoyable. I sat beside Dawn from IGB and Sean O’Brian from RTE and listened to Michael Fortune and Phil Meaney say a few words and comment on how impressive the standard of this year’s Derby has been and they thanked the grounds men and staff at Shelbourne for all their hard work. Michael then interviewed all connections for the Derby Final. It was a lovely afternoon and I met lots of new people. It is a great idea to get all owners and trainers together before the BIG EVENT.
Ballymac Vic
Michael started off with Ballymac Vic’s connections. Liam was unable to attend so his son Shane was there to represent the dog and spoke highly of Ballymac Vic after all the dog has been through in this Derby. Unfortunately Ballymac Vic’s cut on his foot opened back up again and Liam applied a poultice to the foot and is hoping it won’t interfere with his chance on Saturday night and no infection will set in. He hasn’t been galloped since his injury and is missing out on the work in preparation for the Derby Final but as Liam said himself, you never know!
Tyrur Sugar Ray
First of all a big happy birthday was announced at the lunch to Conor Fahy who turned 25 and has a fine record already with a Derby win back in 2010 and now a Derby finalist for the second year running, Tyrur Sugar Ray. When they took Sugar Ray out of the pen this morning he was bouncing and Conor reported that the dog is in great form.
Carrowcarriff
Ollie Curtin spoke to Michael and you could just see the magic in his eyes, this means the world to him and Ollie said that being in the Derby is like winning the lotto, it’s a dream and he is hoping Carrowcarriff will lead like she did on Saturday night as she done a savage 3.41 split time. I spoke to Ollie afterwards and he said that reaching the final is like a fairytale for him and he is over the moon.
Kereight King
As we all know Kereight King is not running on Saturday but Pat Curtin still attended the Pre Derby lunch today and we all acknowledged Pat for his great sportsmanship. I spoke to Pat after the lunch and the emotion on his face said it all, it’s devastating for him but he will be there Saturday night to enjoy the racing and wished everyone the best.
Cabra Buck
Nikki Holland represented Cabra Buck for Graham Holland and Nikki said that they never dreamed of being of being in the Derby Final but it was Graham’s most targeted classic! Michael asked her how do they find life and racing in Ireland and Nikki said it took them a while to settle in but they love it now and the whole family are into greyhound racing. Nikki hopes Cabra Buck comes away like he did last week.
Slippery Robert
Robert Gleeson’s Dad has been in dogs since he was 16 and he mentioned to Michael that this means everything to him. Robert could not attend today as he brought Slippery Robert to Galway to the famous Mr Collins to get him checked over and everything is great with the dog, he has the all clear for Saturday night. Michael Gleeson said that is very frustrating that dog has no early and they are hoping for him to hit the lids on Saturday as you never know he said. Robert received a phone call from Larry Dunne one day and asked Robert to take Slippery Robert and he was only delighted to accept. He was only 13 months old and he got him ready and trailed him in Newbridge one day and then won an A5 stake in 29.30!! He then went on to win the Joe Dunne Memorial and got to the final of the Joe Kirby but received a bad injury and they left the dog off until the Derby. He was not fit for the Derby but he has gotten a lot fitter now and has improved with every run. I know Robert since I was 13 and he has always been mad about greyhounds and it has paid off as he has his first Derby finalist, good luck Rob. Kildare is renowned for producing top trainers at this stage, must be something in the water!!
The general consensus from the general greyhound enthusiasts on the track and my friends on Face book and Twitter is Tyrur Sugar Ray. My Dad also predicts Tyrur Sugar Ray but if Kereight King was running this Saturday he would of had a great chance.
It’s great to see the excitement and passion with the connections in this year’s Derby Final. It’s a wonderful occasion and I hope all dogs come home safe and everyone enjoys the night. Don’t forget to get their early for a bit of Mike Denver before racing!! My bet is on Michael Fortune to be on the dance floor first!!
Best of luck to everyone involved and may the best greyhound win!!
See you all Saturday for the FINAL…!
Thanks,
Sarah
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