GREYHOUND PREVIEW: In this week’s preview Barry’s focus is mainly on Romford on Friday where they host one of their biggest nights of the year featuring the Romford Puppy Cup. That, and the best of the supporting card are previewed. We also have mentions for racing at Central Park, Hove, and the semi-finals of the Irish Laurels from Cork on Saturday.
It is one of the biggest nights of the year at Romford this Friday with numerous open races including an intriguing match race between Links Maverick and Not So Slow playing support to the big one, the 2024 Romford Puppy Cup. March On Freddie will be in action at Hove on Thursday. King Memphis will run at Central Park on Saturday, and we also have the final of the British Bred St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday evening. In Ireland, the “New” Shelbourne Park will open its doors on Thursday before hosting the finals of the Paddy Merriman Memorial 525 and Yvonne Barry Open 600 on Saturday evening, and finally it’s the semi-finals of the Irish Laurels from Cork on Saturday night. Let’s take a look at the best of the action.
Romford Puppy Cup Final
Ante post favourite Fire And Ice remains at the top of the market despite suffering defeat last weekend at the paws of Untold Rufiyaa. Fire And Ice has the best of the draw this weekend and will surely try to make every yard. The break will be crucial, and just a tenth of a second separates the entire field on last weekend’s sectionals with Roanna Mamba the quickest. The 3.66 split recorded by Mamba was the competitions fastest, but he will need something similar if he is to play a part. Despite being drawn in six Mamba is a middle seed and has middle comments in his last four outings. He will need to clear Newinn Souly on the run to the bend.
I think Newinn Souly could be the one to side with. He is capable of breaking better than recent weeks and will break twenty-four seconds if able to dictate. Untold Rufiyaa done well to win last week but just lacks a yard of early pace against some of these. Gunner Prince has done little wrong in recent weeks but needs to be on his toes early if he is to clear Fire And Ice to the corner while the only lady in the field Ritz To Rumble would prefer a rails draw. I will side with Newinn Souly, I think the draw could work in his favour if he breaks well, and hopefully, he can make every yard a winning one. Good luck to all connections.
Supporting Card
As mentioned earlier it’s a cracking supporting card that includes a match race between Links Maverick and Not So Slow. There is little to separate the pair in the betting and it’s the outsider Not So Slow who has the better of the recent form. He was impressive when winning a sprint at Towcester on Sunday and with a level break you would expect him to lead. Its hard to pull dogs back over this sort of trip and I would just side with Not So Slow to get the better of Links Maverick.
Racing gets underway at 18:37 and it will be interesting to see how recent Oxford Track record holder El Tornillo gets on in a hot race to kick off proceedings. If he were to lead, he would be impossible to catch and he does have form over much further. Cunnigar Yousir has winning form around here and will have his supporters on the night. Yousir has been running well at Perry Barr of late and a return to this trip should suit. He just gets the nod.
On The Banks was a little unlucky not to be in the Romford Puppy Cup final but he can make the most of a good draw in the consolation at 19:27. Again, the start here will be crucial but if he can hold his position to the corner, he should prove too strong for his rivals. Silverhill Adam should be hard to beat in the 19:44 and hopefully Swift Giddy can turn the form around with Alright Gordy in the marathon.
March On Freddie-Hove
The news broke earlier in the week that March On Freddie will be Shelbourne Park bound for a crack at the Irish Greyhound Derby starting on October 18th. Before that Freddie will be in action at Hove on Thursday evening (19:49) when he lines up in the semi-finals of two run event over 500m. All going to plan we should hopefully see Freddie back over this side of the Irish sea later next month.
Central Park-Saturday
King Memphis returned to action with a pleasing display when winning well in his first race since this years English Derby final. He will line up again this Saturday night when contesting another Kent Derby trial stake at Central Park. Uncle Freddie and Cinderella Tell will give him something to think about but King Memphis should step up on last weeks return and prove hard to beat.
Irish Laurels at Cork
The semi-finals of the Irish Laurels take place a Curaheen Park this Saturday night and Irelands Champion trainer Graham Holland has five of the remaining twelve. Crafty Shivoo and The Other Kobe are the big two in the first semi-final. Despite his advancing years Kobe is running as well as ever and running with great track craft too. Again, he has a less-than-ideal draw on the outside of Crafty Shivoo, Faypoint Harvey has the best of the trap draw and he impressed when making all last week. Lat years winner High Trend looks to have the worst of the draw in five and will need a lighting start if he is to get to the front. It is a tough race for punters but if forced I would side with Faypoint Harvey in red.
Road Exile looks the most likely winner of the second semi-final. Pat Buckleys charge is usually dependable at trap rise and if reproducing last weeks sectional he should lead this field. Droopys Polish ran well when behind Road Exile last week and can get closer with a better start while the Romeo pair of Falco and Taylor have pace in spades but need to bring some consistency to their starting. I will just side with Road Exile to get the better of Droopys Polish.
All the best
Barry
