GREYHOUND PREVIEW: This week Barry’s focus is on a good quality card from Romford on Friday, the opening round heats of the Winter Derby at Monmore on Saturday and at Shelbourne Park on Saturday, it’s round two of the Gold Cup.
Some cracking action ahead this week on both sides of the Irish Sea with Newcastle hosting the opening round of the Northern Puppy Derby on Thursday evening. Hove have some real superstars in action on the same evening with the likes of Romeo Command, Garfiney Blaze and Barntick Bear on show. We will touch on the later rounds of those events early in next weeks piece. At Monmore the winter Derby commences on Saturday while Towcester have the opening round of the Northamptonshire Sprint on Sunday. At Shelbourne Park, its round two of the Gold Cup and Romford have scheduled another fine Friday night programme.
Friday Night at Romford.
We had a good week at Romford last Friday evening with three winners from four selections and hopefully we can continue the good run. Racing kicks off at 18:37 where the well-bred Ballymac Mist is of interest, she has scope to improve further and is one to watch with the future in mind. On this occasion is could pay to stick with Cashen Eliza. Eliza was luckless when behind a couple of these last time out but can get back on the winning trail in the opener at the expense of Ballymac Mist.
Stonepark Champ has not won for a while but has been running well in defeat of late. This looks a slightly easier assignment than he has faced in recent weeks, and he can get back to winning ways in the 18:53. He should go up well out wide and I expect him to improve on recent performances if he were to lead in the early part of the contest. Miltons Dream is a very consistent sort and can make the frame.
The marathon performers are in action at 20:01. Elite Albert done us a favour when winning at 7/1 last week and he’s in fine form at the moment. Swift Giddy was behind Albert last Friday but I fancy her to get her revenge this time around. She has a good chance to race prominent in the early part of the contest and can hold of the strong ate challenge of Elite Albert. Bubbly Athena will be looking for the early lead but if Giddy can hold her place early she can prove too good.
The best is saved until last at Romford when some classy performers line up in the 21:46. Lively Lauren finally get the red jacket and the excellent daughter of Ballymac Anton will be looking to make all. She faces some strong opposition with All Along, the inform Untold Paanga and Scammer all in opposition. Scammer caught the eye around here recently when getting the better of New Destiny and he can get back on the winning trail. He is still quite lightly raced and can get the better of the evergreen Lively Lauren.
Winter Derby at Monmore
A wide-open Winter Derby kicks off at Monmore on Saturday evening with bookmakers currently calling 8/1 the field. Churchfield Syd, Proper Heiress and Links Maverick currently top the betting but there is an abundance of quality further down the list.
The first of the six heats get underway at 18:31 where Gary The Arb and Links Maverick clash. Gary the Arb is a tough nut to crack when getting to the front around here and can fly to the corner on occasions. Links Maverick displayed his well being with a slick trial over the trip recently and should lead up his neighbour in red off a level start. It’s not a two-dog affair as former Irish tracker Toolmaker Note and Eclipse finalist Romeo Steel have chances. Droopys Extragud is no back number too. It’s a cracking opener but my vote will just go to Links Maverick.
The wonderfully consistent Aayamza Sydney goes in heat two and he will always give you a run for your money. Scooby The Boss won on his UK debut recently. He was highly tried in his Irish starts and can play a part in this. He will do his best work in the second half of the contest but could prove hard to hold if the gaps appear. Gingers Prince can go well in heat three. The lightly raced son of Ballymac Cashout has a good opportunity to get to the front here and can get the better of Kilmore Dancer who ran well at Towcester.
Recent Essex Vase Champion Droopys Eunice steps back in trip in heat four. She is running at the top of here game and I’m sure connections will be thrilled to grab a qualifying place here given the quality of the opposition. Proper Heiress is one of the fastest greyhounds in training and is a major player if he can find one of his better starts. The draw could have been worse, and he has obvious chances. Derby Finalist Churchtown Syd won the Gold Cup around here in August of last year and has a cracking record at the track. He won this event last year and will be looking to retain his title. He moved well in a recent trial and will surely be on the premises. I will just side with Proper Heiress on this occasion. The draw could have been worse, and I think he can break well from three and show all his pace and power to get the better of Churchfield Syd and Droopys Eunice.
The inform Ballinabola Bill can take heat five at the expense of fast finisher Droopys Pivotel. The last heat looks quite open, but Untold Ruble can make all for trainer Tom Helibron.
Gold Cup Shelbourne Park
The first major Irish event of the year got underway at Shelbourne on Saturday, and it certainly did not disappoint. Carrick Aldo, Seven Beach, Cheque for Cash and 600-yard track record holder Da Bold Falcon all impressed. The draw has pitched three of those four in together in heat four this Saturday night.
National Puppy Stake Winner Untold Rufiyaa made a pleasing return to action last week when luck was against him. The David Byrne trained star has an ideal draw to work with this weekend and you will be lucky to see odds against. He should make all but don’t ignore Ballyhooly Bruno in four.
Cheque For Cash made a fine return to action last weekend and he can make it two from two this year. He has the ability to fly from traps and showed stunning early pace last time out. He just needs to avoid Phoenix Memphis in the early yards but if doing so he should race clear for Karol Ramsbottom.
Grangeclare Lady ran a cracker behind Carrick Aldo last weekend and will go close with a repeat. Lemon Joey is expected to step forward from his seasonal reappearance but has a far from ideal draw on the outside of Grangeclare Lady. Robbie Be Slick is improving for Barry Clancy and cannot be ignored while the fast-finishing Youandmebabe will be impossible to keep out of the frame. Hawkfield Blue has not been firing on all cylinders of late, but he has his box and may just prove the answer in a tricky looking heat for John McGee.
We may only be six weeks into the new year but heat four is undoubtedly the race of the year so far. Carrick Aldo and Seven Beach were both excellent last weekend. Connections of the pair will be pleased with the drawn and the early yards will be crucial. I can’t see either coming from behind the other, so the early lead is key. Cheque For Sir can go up well and I can see him holding up Da Bold Falcon at key stages of the race. Falcon was impressive last week but will surely have a minimum of three ahead of him at halfway. Dynamic Force has a tough draw between the two speedsters and needs luck. It’s a cracking contest to end the second round and I will gladly take a seat on the fence and enjoy this one.
Good luck to all connections with a runner over the weekend.
All the best,
Barry.
