WINTER RACING FESTIVAL: The eagerly awaited end-of-year showpiece, the Winter Racing Festival, kicks off at Shelbourne Park this Friday night, with the best of the action set to follow 24 hours later. There are twelve races on each night, and all the action will be live on SIS. Let’s take a look at both nights with BARRY CAUL ….
FRIDAY
Race 1 WRF Regulars A4/5 Final
Retirement was briefly considered for Chelsea Pat after her October 9th outing at Shelbourne Park, but as connections await her season, she was attractively graded down into A4 company. A consolation Oaks finalist last year, she has been a wonderful servant for Larry Kelly and the Manor Racing Syndicate. Despite her advancing years, she retains plenty of ability and should improve on last week’s effort.
Donalds Trumpet, impeccably bred, looks the main danger. He ran better than the bare result suggests last time and can give Chelsea Pat most to think about.
Selections: 3-5-1
Race 2 WRF A3 (NB) 525 Final
Miami Hans looks the one to beat. A winner on debut in a hot contest, he had little luck on his second outing but returned to form last week when leading late to make it two wins from three. He will need to sharpen up at lids-rise because Mutts Maximus, Thurlesbeg Pablo, and Notawordsaid can all go up well and a couple will be looking for the same racing line.
There is still more to come from Miami Hans and Gary Dempsey’s charge can score at the expense of Notawordsaid, with Kilcolgan Norman doing his best work late.
Selections: 1-4-6
Race 3 WRF A2 525 Final
Droichead Nua and Jerrivee De Meg look a grade above their rivals, with preference for the Shaun Conway-trained Nua. He impressed from the same draw last week when getting the better of Jerrivee De Meg and is positioned to confirm the form.
He’s lightly raced but has already taken on decent company including Cheque For Cash, Left Corner Back and Carrick Scholsey, making this a shade easier.
Mind Your Mind is a fast starter and not without a chance. Gallant Prince looks promising, but the draw doesn’t help him here.
Selections: 1-5-2
Race 4 WRF Stayers Dual Distance D1/D2 750/850
A couple of these just failed to get home over 750 yards last week and the step up to 850 will demand serious stamina, though an early lead remains a major asset.
Ashmar Una impressed when leading past halfway last time and should see out the extended trip. Lets Go Marty, now a winner of his last three, must also be respected.
Droopys Gill led for much of the semi before being picked up by Marty and shouldn’t be ignored; she has a real chance of leading again and any trouble behind would aid her cause.
At a price, Droopys Gill is worth chancing to hold on from Ashmar Una and Lets Go Marty.
Selections: 4-6-3
Race 5 WRF A1 (NB) 525 Final
The well-bred Button It remains unbeaten in four starts and has landed a plum draw. It’s hard to oppose Rob Gleeson’s exciting youngster, who will be a short-priced favourite to make it five in a row.
Slippery Brian rates the main danger. He did plenty wrong last week yet still managed to get his head in front. Pirate Polly can go up well and has claims if breaking fast, but Button It looks a cracking prospect.
Selections: 1-2-3
Race 6 –WRF Novice 750
Kilcolgan Witney is no winning machine but has kept decent company and is likely to start favourite. She has winning form over 600 yards from off the pace and should stay the 750.
Goodnitekathleen has also been keeping good company over four bends and will try to make all. She starts well and may offer Witney a nice tow into the race.
Beaming Bronco impressed in a recent trial and posted decent efforts during the summer at Limerick.
Witney is taken to get the better of Goodnitekathleen late, with Beaming Bronco close behind.
Selections: 1-2-6
Race 7 WRF A1 550 Final
Bockos Frankel runs for new owner Beverley Lochead this weekend after being purchased from Eugene Price, though Rosemary Price will continue to handle him here. He was strongly supported last week and made it three from three, scorching clear to the third bend. With a good draw in two, a repeat makes him very hard to beat.
Ello Ello got the better of Maireads Prince last week, but Prince has the better draw here as the sole wide seed, while Ello Ello needs luck from a tricky berth.
Maireads Prince has been well supported since returning to Ireland and can give Bockos Frankel most to think about if improving his starting for new trainer Barry Clancy.
Selections: 2-6-3
Race 8 The WRF Old Stagers 525
“Old Stagers” in name only — most of these would hold their own in open class.
Kapuka Warrior has been a superb servant for Matt Dunne and Karol Ransbottom, winning 28 times and earning over €22,000. He beat a useful field last time and returns to his ideal draw.
Prince Naseem, a Laurels semi-finalist, gets a slight ease in grade here. The same applies to Faypoint Harvey, though he needs to be sharp early to lead Kapuka Warrior.
Six-bend star Jaytee Craze may need this return run over a trip short of his best.
Prince Naseem gets the nod, he deserves a decent prize and has a good chance to make all.
Selections: 5-1-3
Race 9 WRF A0 Bitch 525 Final
Malabar Misty is the selection. Pat Buckley’s bitch ran a big race on her comeback last week when caught late by Droopys Bundle. Both should improve, but the draw swings it towards Misty, who has stunning early pace and looks the likely leader.
Bundle faces a tricky berth in four.
Daleroad Mya was a huge eyecatcher last week when finishing from an impossible position behind Drveen Lass and should be hitting the frame again.
Misty is fancied to make all and fend off Daleroad Mya’s late surge.
Selections: 5-3-4
Race 10 WRF A0 525 Final
Elite Kursk, not long back in action, produced a big display when making all in his semi. Blessed with exceptional early pace, he should lead if breaking level.
Uncle Keith is well regarded but lacks experience. Cushie Flytplan is a dog going places and may want further in time.
The battle into the opening bend between Jacktavern Storm and Crossfield Dean will also be crucial.
Elite Kursk is preferred; he looks a highly likely leader and will take pegging back.
Selections: 6-5-3
Race 11 WRF A0/A1 600 Final
Magical Sapphire will be many people’s banker after her impressive semi-final win. Pat Guilfoyle’s kennel is in superb form, and she has a fine draw in six.
Wreck It Willow came from off the pace to score last week but needs more to follow up.
Bartlemy Mainoo, second to Sapphire in the semi, may be the main danger if breaking better.
Selections: 6-3-1
Race 12 – WRF AA0 Regulars 525
A cracking finale.
Crossfield Roman has won his last three in A3 but takes a major step up in class.
Surprise Reunion is a handful when he gets it right and was nailed late last time. He can go well again from a good draw.
Exclusion Order is running very well and can improve on his comeback run.
Droopys Orator and Dear Sir can both fly to the corner, and whoever leads will be long odds-on in running.
Narrow preference is for Exclusion Order to make all in a trappy closer.
Selections: 6-2-3
SATURDAY
The second night of the Winter Racing Festival will unquestionably see the best of the action, with six one-off Championship races carrying €10,000 apiece. Five other races on the night will have a winner’s prize of €5,000, while the Final of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake is worth €12,500. It’s one of the best nights’ racing of the year. Let’s take a look at all twelve races.
Race 1 Winter Racing Festival Juvenile A00 Juvenile 525
A cracking contest to kick off the night. Newinn Hoffa is a greyhound with a big reputation and I’m sure we will see him develop into a real star next year, but he faces some vastly experienced rivals, not least Juvenile Derby Champion GetUp The Boy. It hasn’t all been plain sailing since his return to action, but he has displayed real promise in recent runs, suggesting he is about to get back to winning ways. He can go up strongly and really flies from halfway; if he can turn in a handy position, he is the one they all have to beat.
Hackney Mati has won two of his last three and has a perfect draw on the fence, he must get the better of GetUp The Boy on the run to the all-important first bend. Of the remainder, Advantage Rule has a good draw and could outrun his odds.
Selections: 2-1-6
Race 2 Winter Racing Festival Sprint
The speedsters take centre stage. Stonepark Browne will go off favourite for Michael O’Donovan. A real handful when he gets his start right, and much will depend on the break. If he hits it, he will prove difficult to beat, but with the likes of Stefans Galaxy and Gem Friendly in opposition, he will need to be alert at lid rise.
Songa Ancora has some smart form around Dundalk and got the better of Stonepark Browne here back in May.
Valderama and Ballymac Brandan are both very capable but will need to be on their A-game. A tricky contest, but at the prices I’ll just side with Stefans Galaxy to get the better of Stonepark Browne and Gem Friendly.
Selections: 2-1-6
Race 3 Winter Racing Festival Open Bitch 525
Some in-form ladies line up. Ballydoyle Tina was a most impressive winner of the Puppy Oaks last time out, while Magical Mag was another to shine when landing the Lifford Oaks earlier this month.
Brockagh Justine deserves a mention; she is a model of consistency and a very likely leader. She could go off at a big price and if there is any trouble in behind, she could be away and gone. She made the Oaks semi-final around here earlier in the year and should be approaching peak fitness following a short break. She will need some luck, but she could find herself clear to the third bend. One of the races of the night.
Selections: 1-2-5
Race 4 Winter Racing Festival Open 550
It’s great to see Oreo Ollie back. He was unfortunate not to make the Derby final this year and it will be fascinating to see how he fares on his return. He’ll obviously improve for the run, but Jack Kennelly will have him close to peak fitness.
Shanahee Boomer will be popular. This year’s Maiden Derby winner has an ace draw on the fence and will look to make all. Crossfield Matt remains a greyhound of huge potential; he impressed in an early round of an A3 competition recently and has had excuses in his last couple of starts. He must improve his starting, but he has a big engine.
Bushpark Rodney and Bubbly Charger were both last-time-out winners but need to come away racing. Mydras Opinion has impressed in trials but must brush up his starting.
Shanahee Boomer gets the nod to see off Crossfield Matt and Bushpark Rodney.
Selections: 1-3-2
Race 5 Winter Racing Festival 850
The longest race of the festival over the stamina-sapping 850 yards. Priceless On Ice has cracking six-bend form and will be a big player if keeping close early. Her recent form is a shade below her best, but a return to this trip could spark a revival.
I’ve long been a huge fan of Doctor Darcy since his flying Kilkenny debut. There is no doubting his pace and power, but he can throw in the odd below-par performance, as he did last time. On that run he should be double-figure odds, but if he does things right, he could be really special at these marathon distances.
Pat Guilfoyle has won this race before and has a live chance with Daleroad Poppy, who has smart form over four and six bends and looks the safest option in a race full of ifs and buts. I’ll let my heart rule my head and hope Doctor Darcy puts his best foot forward; if he does, he could produce something special.
Selections: 2-6-1
Race 6 IGOBF National Puppy Final
Shotgun Dez has really impressed in his last couple of starts and can play a big part if starting on terms. He was exceptional when beating GetUp The Boy recently and won well from the inside last time.
Sawdust Barry showed huge early gears in the semis and despite being a middle seed, the draw could work in his favour. Droopys Map ran a huge race behind Sawdust Barry last time, starts and stays well, and has a major shout from red. Ballycowen Frank caught the eye from off the pace last week and is one for value seekers.
A cracking final where a case can be made for all six. At the prices I’ll have a small bet on Ballycowen Frank.
Selections: 3-1-6
Race 7 Winter Racing Festival 575 (Championship Race)
Last year’s winner Bombay Pat returns. He was well backed twelve months ago and will be a short-priced favourite to follow up. He got back to winning ways at Cork last time when beating the re-opposing Droopys Faithful and will look to make all.
Droopys Faithful impressed over this trip previously and wasn’t beaten far by Bombay Pat in her latest outing. With not much early pace in the race, she could race prominently.
Glengar Silent should be suited by the step up in trip. A Derby finalist, he moved with real purpose in trials here on November 8th and 15th. Blackeyed Turbo, an Oaks finalist, has strong winning form over the trip.
Ballymac Tibet and Blastoff Heffo will battle for early supremacy up the inside.
I was taken by Glengar Silent’s trial on Nov 8th; he gets the nod over Droopys Faithful and Bombay Pat.
Selections: 5-3-6
Race 8 Winter Racing Festival Championship 550
Derby Champion Cheap Sandwiches returns and has been flying in recent trials, including a 29.34 run for this trip. He has again drawn his beloved trap six. He was exceptional in the Derby and his supporters will be out in force.
Epic Ace in one was the last dog to beat Bockos Diamond in the early Derby rounds and is as fast as any on his day. Callaway Knegare, third in last year’s Derby, has disappointed at times but his recent trials have been exceptional.
Cheque For Cash was runner-up in the Champion Stakes and won a top-class 550 on Derby night. The exciting pup Ballymac Setanta goes from trap four after smashing the track record in the Laurels quarter-finals. Left Corner Back has also trialled well.
The early 8/11 about Cheap Sandwiches looks too short – dangers lie everywhere. For me, this is one to enjoy rather than bet on.
Selections: 6-3-1
Race 9 Winter Racing Festival Open 525
Solo And Go went close to landing the Laurels and has winning form here, including a Derby heat. He is at his best off the front, so the break is crucial.
Lemon Joey was also a Laurels finalist and won the Produce Stakes at Clonmel. His draw looks tricky but he has top-grade winning form here. Lamrock Ace runs this track well and his recent trial can be forgiven. Kirby winner Faypoint Ranger ran well in defeat last time and any improvement puts him right there.
Toolmaker King and Callaway Five return from breaks and must be at their best.
Solo And Go gets the nod to make all from Faypoint Ranger.
Selections: 3-4-6
Race 10 Winter Racing Festival Championship Bitch AA0 525
Magical On Fire was a game winner of the Laurels and now draws red on her return to Shelbourne. Back against her own sex, she has a big chance for the in-form Pat Guilfoyle kennel.
Glengar Martha continues to run at an incredible level for Pat Buckley. She has now won her last three starts and bids for career win number 30. Westway Rossa is capable but needs a fast start. Silverhill Freya returns from a short break and must improve on recent trials. Badly Behaving and Ballymac Gloria are both in form but face a rise in class.
This may rest between the top two in the market, and on the draw, it is hard to oppose Magical On Fire.
Selections: 1-6-2
Race 11 Winter Racing Festival Championship 750
The sole UK raider Droopys Flare will have supporters and trialled well last week despite a less-than-ideal prep. She will come on for that effort.
Born To Perform looks the obvious one. She has cracking four- and six-bend form and is the only runner to have won over six bends around here – a stat that must worry supporters of the others.
Boylesports Blue has run well here in defeat and won a six-bend contest around Cork in style last time out. Dashing Toro is fascinating: exceptional over 600 last month and open to further staying improvement. The break will be key.
Born To Perform just gets the nod, with Dashing Toro greatly respected.
Selections: 3-6-4
Race 12 Winter Racing Festival Championship 600
A thrilling contest to finish. Coosane Pickles and Lookanlep renew their rivalry; it’s currently 4–0 to Pickles, though Lookanlep is surely due one. Add the evergreen De Lahdedah and Ballyhooley Bruno and it promises a fascinating conclusion.
Pickles has been trapping well but gets outpaced by Lookanlep to the third turn before rallying late – that’s the pattern of their last four meetings. However, there may be better class of greyhound between them this weekend. If Lookanlep leads, he could have De Lahdedah and Low Profile chasing. Pickles will have to work hard to pass that calibre of greyhound, and Lookanlep may finally pinch the length he so badly needs.
Durrow Star will finish fast but faces a tough ask. A great way to end two fabulous nights.
Selections: 3-6-1
Best of luck
Barry
