GREYHOUND PREVIEW: This week Barry previews the final of the Irish Laurels from Cork and the best of the action from Shelbourne Park on Saturday which includes many of the ante-post fancies for the Irish Greyhound Derby. Barry also looks at the top UK action including the Champion Stakes at Romford on Friday and the Kent Derby from Central Park on Saturday.
The Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park is the feature of this weekend action. Derby favourite Bockos Diamond is in action at Shelbourne Park where he once again clashes with Seven Beach, the exciting Bombay Pay will also be in action at HQ where March On Freddie is set to trial before racing. In the UK six opening round heats of the Champion Stakes get underway at Romford on Friday and the Kent Derby kicks off at Central Park on Saturday evening.
Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park, Cork
🟥 1. Droopys Polish
🟦 2. Romeo Taylor
⬜ 3. Seek The Kingdom
⬛ 4. Crafty Shivoo
🟧 5. High Trend
🔲 6. Hazelhill Bucko
Former Irish Oaks winner Crafty Shivoo heads the betting to land more classic success and add another €30,000 to her already impressive career prizemoney haul. Recently returned from England Shivoo has run well to make the final under the care of Pat Norris. Trap draws have been against her all through the event and luck has once again deserted her in the final. As an inside seed Shivoo has drawn 4,6,4,2, &,4. She made all to win from trap two last week, but I think she needs to lead again here to win. Shivoo must be at her absolute best early but has a massive chance if starting in her best fashion.
Her main market rival is Romeo Taylor, another who has faced poor draws throughout the competition. This is the closest Taylor has been drawn to the fence and the race to the bend is crucial. Droopys Polish has the best of the draw, the Johnny Linehan trained runner has improved steadily during her career and deserves her place in the final.
Last year’s winner High Trend runs from an unfavorable trap five, High Trend is the second runner in the final for Graham Holland along with Romeo Taylor but does need a flier from five if he is to get to the front. Hazelhill Bucko and Seek The Kingdom are the outsiders in the field, but the pair have shown good form previously and are not without a chance.
The early yards are vital and for me whatever leads around the opening bend will be hard to peg back. I will just side with Romeo Taylor to make all from trap two, but I must say, as a punting race it looks very tricky. Taylor just gets my vote to every yard. The race will be broadcast live on Virgin Media Two this Saturday night. The best of luck to all connections.
Shelbourne Park – Saturday
A wonderful night’s racing awaits at the stunning new Shelbourne Park on Saturday night. Bockos Diamond and Seven Beach once again face off in the final of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Open 550. Just a head separated the pair in the semis, and we are set for another thrilling race. Bombay Pat will be a warm favourite to capture the valuable Maiden Derby where Coosane Pickles looks to be his main danger.
The seventh race on the card looks to be a cracker, Ballymac Gizmo, Boylesports Bob and Clonbrien Treaty are the big names from earlier in the year, add in recent 600-yard track record breaker Da Bold Falcon, Juvenile Derby Runner up Innfield Destiny and the promising Thats It Jack and you have one of the races of the year. Bombay Pat and Bockos Diamond look like they will be hard to beat in their respective finals. March On Freddie is set to trial before racing.
Kent Derby – Central Park – Saturday
Six heats of the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby kick off on Saturday night at Central Park. The opening heat is due off at 19:44, Keylogues Runner and Russmur Roddick look the two to focus on with slight preference for Keylogues Runner.Newinn Benni was impressive in a recent trial and should take heat two at 20:01.
Uncle Freddie ran well behind King Memphis last time out but faces nothing of his caliber in heat three. Tintreach Turbo is two from two at the track and is fancied to make it three from three at the expense of Brynoffa Bambi in the fourth heat.
The main man King Memphis goes in the penultimate heat of the evening from trap one and should make it three wins from three since his return to action. He got the better of the reopposing Cinderella Tell last time out and she may well chase him home once again. In the final heat Cooliogold was another to impress in a recent trial but may have to give way to the in form El Tornillo in the final heat at 21:11.
Champion Stakes – Romford – Friday
The Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes get underway at Romford on Friday night with six heats starting at 20:19 where Ante post favourite New Destiny runs from one. Destiny has some cracking form around here that includes breaking the track record and winning the Coronation Cup earlier this year. She should have no trouble in her opening round assignment.
Drive on Lad should go well in heat four where last weeks winner Swift Giddy must be respected and in the last heat of the night Golden Palace can finally get his head in front around here, he has been running well around Towcester recently, and deserves another shot at this distance.
All the best
Barry
