GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Barry Caul previews the final of the English Puppy Derby from Towcester on Sunday PLUS: the final of the Gold Collar at Crayford on Saturday and the final of the Irish St Leger from Limerick.
Three Kings Set to Battle it Out for Puppy Derby Crown
The 2023 English Puppy Derby decider will be run at Towcester this Sunday afternoon where three brothers will line up side by side in their bid to be crowned 2023 Puppy Derby Champion. The other trio in the field will undoubtedly try and spoil the Kings party. King Memphis set a new track record when winning his semi in style, and he is the one they all must beat. The RPGTV cameras will also be at Limerick on Saturday night as the final of the St Leger will take place with a star-studded line up.
2023 English Puppy Derby Final
- King Capaldi
- King Combs
- King Memphis
- Coolavanny Mercy
- Droopys Eddie
- Queen Dusty
Verdict: Well first off, we must tip our hat to Rab and Liz McNair. To get four runners through to the final is a remarkable achievement and hopefully they can go on to land the prize with one of the quartet. The inside trio are all from the same litter, Droopys Sydney-Queen Beyonce. This is Queen Beyonce’s first litter, and her next litter won’t be cheap to buy! She was a bit of a star herself winning twenty times in all including open race victories around seven different tracks. So, to the race itself and King Memphis is the obvious starting point. He flew from traps to make all last weekend setting a new track record in the process. Memphis is simply unbeatable if he repeats that sort of run. His main danger will be his brother King Capaldi in one. Capaldi has some scorching early pace and could just hold up Memphis in the early part of the contest. Drawn between the pair is the last of the remaining brothers King Combs. He looks to have a poor draw and has a few lengths to find on the other two. Of the other runners. Coolavanny Mercy was quickest on the clock in the semis but its hard to see how they can get involved looking at the draw. Droopys Eddie and Queen Dusty are smart performers, but this looks a step to far. It’s a tricky contest from a betting point of view, Memphis is an obvious favorite, but he’ll be mighty short, and King Capaldi could cause a few problems in the early yards. For me it’s a race to savor and hopefully we will see all the finalists go on to bigger things in 2024.
Golden Collar at Crayford
Kicking off the weekends action will be the final of the Gold Collar at Crayford. It’s a wide-open final as the betting suggests and the run to the opening turn will be crucial.
- Aayamza Sydney
- Moaning Rossi
- Laughil Jess
- Minnie Bullet
- King Ezra
- Gutsy Jet
Verdict: Laughil Jess made it sixteen straight victories on the spin around Crayford last weekend when seeing off Aayamza Sydney in a protracted battle. The daughter of Out Of Range has really improved since her switch to the UK from Ireland where she was last seen contesting the final of an A3 bitch stake at Shelbourne Park. Its hard to get away from her given her record at the track but the draw could have been kinder. She had the inside line when just holding off Aayamza Sydney last week but now finds herself drawn on the outside of Sydney and that looks key. Sydney just led at bends one, three and five last time but just couldn’t get clear of Jess. With the inside line this weekend Sydney can make all and land the final. Minnie Bullet has the pace to go close but has been done no favours by the draw. I’ll side with Aayamza Sydney to make all in the decider from red.
St Leger Final at Limerick
- Ballinabola Una
- Sober Glory
- Swords Rex
- Beepers Lariat
- Mr Chelm
- Clonbrien Treaty
Verdict: We’ve seen worse finals!! What a terrific line up. Recent Kirby Memorial winners Swords Rex (2022) and Clonbrien Treaty-2023 head the field with the hugely fast duo of Mr Chelm and Sober Glory meeting yet again. Beepers Lariat has always promised to be a star and Ballinabola Una representing the ladies must have a say from an ace draw in red. Clonbrien Treaty will go off favorite to land another big race around his beloved Limerick. Ultra impressive last weekend when coming from behind his kennel mate Swords Rex, he has been handed a plum draw in six as the sole wide seed and will be tough to beat. Swords Rex was perhaps a shade disappointing when leading last time but he’s one of Irelands best when on song and could easily lead once again if starting in similar fashion. Sober Glory has a decent draw to work with for trainer Karol Ramsbottom. He broke fast and made all in his semifinal and I doubt any runner in the final can come from behind him. He was the fastest of the two semifinal winners and no body would begrudge his trainer Karol Ramsbottom a big race success. Ballinabola Una is the youngster in the line up and has improved her starting in recent weeks. She moves well from halfway and has a chance if she can turn close to the pace. On the draw it’s hard to oppose Clonbrien Treaty. Not always the most consistent at boxes but will be tough to beat with a slick start. Swords Rex will need to lead, as will Mr Chelm and Sober Glory will have a big ay if starting in similar fashion to last weekend.
Winter Racing Festival
The end of year showpiece will take place at Shelbourne Park next weekend when the 2023 Winter Racing Festival gets underway. Two days of thrilling top-quality action from the worlds greatest greyhound track, it’s not to be missed. For those who can’t make it to the track the action will be live on RPGTV on Saturday evening Dec 2nd.
