GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Big weekend of action ahead at Monmore as they stage the opening rounds of the Winter Derby and also the Golden Jacket. Both events are extensively covered with a couple of recommended antepost selections too.
Weekend Preview: Monmore
A huge weekend of top-class action lies ahead, with both Monmore and Shelbourne Park serving up high-quality racing. On Saturday evening, Monmore hosts the opening rounds of the Winter Derby and the Golden Jacket, while over at Shelbourne Park the early-season showpiece, the Tote Gold Cup, also gets underway.
Winter Derby
Last year’s renewal was won by the superstar Proper Heiress, and this year’s Winter Derby has once again attracted a stellar line-up. Early ante-post betting suggests an extremely open contest, with Headford Dane and Santas Amigo heading the market at around 7/1. However, the presence of the likes of Bossman Buddy (formerly Lemon Joey), Brindle Bully, and Droopys Deploy at tempting double-figure odds underlines the depth of quality on show.
Heat one sees Santas Amigo in action, almost a year to the day since he made a winning debut when coming from off the pace to score. He has since established himself as one of the fastest performers around, landing both the Sunderland Classic and the All England Cup at Newcastle. While he has winning form here, he is far from a certainty in what is one of the stronger heats of the night. Ballymac Lake and Newinn Deejay will be flying from halfway, while Brindle Bully will be looking to lay down an early marker. Kilara Berb has also shown solid form around here in the past and impressed on a recent visit to Dunstall Park. A tricky opener, but Santas Amigo just gets the nod.
The quality doesn’t let up in heat two. The ever-consistent Gary The Arb drops back in trip to take on recent scorer Rackethall Brute, with former Irish duo Zenith Tanju (formerly Sole Mio), runner-up in last year’s Kirby, and former Irish Derby finalist Droopys Deploy also in opposition. Deploy was a shade unlucky last time out after suffering a couple of small bumps at key stages, but he may just lack a yard of early pace against some of these. The same could be said of Rackethall Brute, who may struggle from his draw. Gary The Arb is a real handful when getting his start right but will need to be at his sharpest. Zenith Tanju is sure to be popular, with his last two trial efforts looking top class and a repeat should suffice. Toddys Wolf ran better than the bare form last time and can fly to the corner on his day. He could go off at a big price and looks capable of outrunning his odds.
Heat three could see Droopys Aladdin attempt to make all and fend off some strong finishers in behind. Texas Jack and Armagh Daithi finished behind Aladdin last time out, both with excuses. Jack is once again well drawn as the sole wide seed and may just get the better of Aladdin late on. Elusivenomore looks capable of picking up a medal.
There is no doubting the ability of Headford Dane, and he will be fancied by many to get back to winning ways. However, it was noticeable how he moved off on the run-up from trap two last week, and that remains a concern again from trap one. Aero Pepinillo in two isn’t the quickest to the turn, but from his Shelbourne Park days he is known to trap on occasions. The outside pair look the ones to focus on. Bockos Buster was electric last week when starting fast and beating a useful field, and he gets the vote once again. Turnthemagicon is greatly respected from six; the son of Ballymac Cashout is lightly raced over four bends but impressed over the distance last time.
Crossfield Enzo is the selection in the final heat. He ran well behind Bockos Buster last time and should race prominently throughout. Bossman Buddy, formerly Lemon Joey in Ireland, makes his UK debut. A former classic winner when trained here, he is likely to improve for the run and is one to keep onside going forward.
Golden Jacket
There will also be six opening-round heats of the Golden Jacket, where Mongys Wild currently heads the ante-post betting at around 5/4.
Deadly Disco was the last dog to beat Mongys Wild, and for the first time in five outings he won’t have to face his old rival. Disco is a classy performer when things fall right and should prove too good for Burrows Charm and Buddys Bullet. Ballymac Madgie has shown flashes of smart form and gets the nod in heat two to see off Bombay Nutty.
Vhagar flew in a recent trial over the trip and, if repeating that effort, would be very hard to beat. She has landed in one of the softer heats and it would be a surprise if she were beaten. Jet Stream Jane looks best of the rest.
Last year’s champion Mongys Wild lines up in heat four. He boasts four wins from five starts around here and broke the track record in the event twelve months ago. He should have too much firepower for his rivals, but at likely cramped odds he is difficult to support from a betting perspective. A watching brief may be the sensible approach.
Heat five looks a cracker. Romeo Empire ran well at Central Park recently and moved nicely in a trial last weekend. Powerhouse Duke looks an exciting recruit to six bends and could really excel over this sort of trip. The early lead may prove crucial, but a narrow vote goes to Romeo Empire.
It’s hard to oppose Droopys Flare in the finale. She has a perfect draw and should prove too strong for Jacktavern Lab. Eagles Respect will have his supporters and will be looking to secure first run on Droopys Flare.
Recommended Bets
Winter Derby:
Toddys Wolf 0.5pt each-way 66/1
Texas Jack 1pt each-way 16/1 (1/4 odds, 1st 4 places)
All the best,
Barry.
