GREYHOUND PREVIEW: On Friday night at Sunderland its the final of the ARC Classic. Saturday morning sees Crayford host the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Gold Collar live on RPGTV.
ARC Classic at Sunderland Headlines this Weekends Action
The Final of the 2023 ARC Classic at Sunderland will headline the weekends action in the UK and there will be plenty of future clues on offer as the RPGTV English Puppy Derby reaches the semi-final stages at Towcester on Sunday. In Ireland the focus will be on Limerick as the semi-finals of the St Leger take place on Saturday evening while at Shelbourne Park this Saturday the opening round of the 2023 Juvenile Derby will get underway.
ARC Classic-Sunderland
- Swift Iconic
- Links Dasher
- Pape Di Oro
- Keefill George
- March On Larry
- Jonny Whiskers
Verdict: Jonny Whiskers put in a career best effort when making all to see off odds on favorite Swift Iconic last weekend. With three inside seeds and three middle seeds in the final Jonny now finds himself draw out in trap six and it remains to be seen how the stripes will suit the powerful son of Skywalker Logan. This will be his eighteenth start and he has never raced from trap six. He has won twice from five but does have some smart early paced performers drawn on his inside. Swift Iconic in contrast has been handed a plum draw on the fence. No match for Jonny Whiskers last time he can go up much better and if reproducing his 26:70 run from round one he will be hard to beat.
Links Dasher was a smart winner of his semi-final but looks to have a bit to find on the clock while ex Irish tracker Pape Di Oro is another who needs to find a few lengths on the clock. This is only Pape Di Oro’s third start in the UK and he can be expected to improve. He will need to break in his best fashion but is no forlorn hope.
Keefill George was visually very impressive when making all last weekend from trap four and finds himself drawn in four again this Friday night. He’s my idea of the winner. He has won four of his last five starts and seems to be improving with each run around the track. George has some slick form over two bends, and I feel he has the most natural early pace of the finalists. March On Larry ran on well behind Links Dasher last week but for me looks to have a poor draw out in five. The early yards will be crucial but I’m hoping Keefill George can trap on terms and show all is early pace to land the final.
RPGTV English Puppy Derby-Towcester
Two semi-finals of the RPGTV English Puppy Derby will be run at Towcester this Sunday afternoon with the first due off at 14:52. King Capaldi who runs in the opener, once again showed all his early pace when beating the reopposing Skywalker Pele last time out. Capaldi has been drawn between the early paced pair of Queen Shakira (2) and Coolavanny Mercy (4) but should be able to lead that duo if starting on terms. He briefly looked in trouble turning for home last week but railed well off the last bend and stayed on well to win by over two lengths. Queen Dusty deserves a mention after her fine victory last weekend but faces a tough draw outside the early paced trio and will need a little luck early.
The second semi can go to King Memphis and make it a double for trainer Liz McNair. Memphis was forced to check at the opening turn last week and was unlucky not to turn in front. I feel he can break much better from three and can see him making all in the second semi at 15:28. Ballymac Diana looks likely to give him most to think about.
Gold Collar at Crayford
On Saturday morning/afternoon Crayford will host the three semi-finals of the Gold Collar live on RPGTV. The first is due off at 11:59 and can go the way of Minnie Bullet. She got the better of the reopposing King Ezra last time and I expect her to prove too strong once again. Dazl Rolex has pace in spades but will need luck in the opening half of the contest.
Havana Lover is the standout name in semi number two at 12:31. A facile winner last time out she should have to much for the improving Razldazl Amanda.
The semis come to an end at 13:07 where the excellent Laughil Jess will be bidding for her sixteenth straight victory around Crayford. She really does have a remarkable record around here and looks impossible to oppose. Aayamaza Sydney and the ever-popular Warzone Tom can chase her home.
The Irish Scene
Semi-Final time at Limerick this Saturday night where they host the St Leger. The meeting will be live on RPGTV next Saturday night and we will preview the major races in more detail. While at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night they again have another high class card including, the first round of the 2023 Juvenile Derby.
