GREYHOUND PREVIEW: This weekend we have the semi finals of two major competitions in the UK. On Saturday it’s the semi’s of the Cesarewitch from Central Park, while on Sunday afternoon it’s the semi-finals of the Blue Riband from Towcester live on GTV – (formerly RPGTV).
Romeo Commands Respect in Blue Riband Semis
Romeo Command kept up his recent sparkling form when posting another huge run over the derby distance at Towcester on Sunday Evening in the opening round of the Blue Riband. Ending the year with a Track-Record breaking run last time out, the exceptionally fast son of Dorotas Wildcat once again made all stopping the clock in a competition fastest 28:81. Romeo goes in the second of three semifinals on Sunday afternoon where only the top two from each will make it through to the final a week on Sunday. Elsewhere former Irish track Garfiney Blazey set the standard in the Cesarewitch at Central Park where another Ex Irish runner, Ballymac Taylor also caught the eye in the opening round. Both events are now at the semifinal stages. Let’s have a look at the best of this weekend’s action.
Blue Riband at Towcester
The first of three semis’ gets underway at 15:38 on Sunday afternoon. Newinn Syd looks sure to go off favorite with Ower Mystery certain to have his supporters. Syd posted a quicker sectional then Ower Mystery and looks to have the draw to at least hold him to the corner. You get the impression there is a much slicker start to come from Newinn Syd and this Sunday could be the day to produce it. He has posted sectionals of 4.06 4.07 and 4.08 around here in the past and if he were to replicate a start like that, he would be difficult to beat. Ower Mystery can certainly improve on what he done last week. He has some strong Irish form. A finalist in the Juvenile Classic at Tralee as well as making the final of Produce stakes at Clonmel. He has now won six of his seven starts in the UK and should not be underestimated. I still make Syd the one to beat with Ower Mystery likely to follow him home.
Romeo Command goes in the second semi at 15:58 and on current form is impossible to oppose. Fabulous Sonique in two shouldn’t pose any problems for Patrick Janssens charge in the early yards. The impeccably bred Savana Shay possess some smart early pace and seems to be improving but he is likely to keep a middle path in the early yards although he will edge in as the corner approaches. Burj Khalifa always seems to find a couple too good but should run a solid race without quite troubling the middle pair. I’ll side with Romeo Command to get the better of Savana Shay.
The evergreen Signet Goofy will undoubtedly have his supports in the third semi as he seeks his forty first victory of his career. He has been an exceptional Greyhound for connections, and you can never write him off. Whyaye Man has a good draw in two and should improve on last weeks run following a short break. If he can get the better of Wrighty on the run to the bend, he could put it up to Signet Goofy. He has some good form around here in the summer of last year and held his form well all year. It’s a tricky one for punters but Whyaye Man may represent a little value.
Cesarewitch at Central Park
Former Irish star Garfiney Blaze made no mistake on his UK debut at the weekend when running out an impressive winner of his opening heat of the Cesarewitch. He goes in semi final two this Saturday night with the reopposing Bradys Bullet drawn to get a little bit closer this time round. The fast-finishing brothers, Bubbly Scorcher and Bubbly Inferno lack early pace, but both will be running on late in the day. Jacktavern Magic looks sure to race prominent from trap six and will look to build up a useful advantage. Magic doesn’t have to find too much on the clock to trouble Garfiney Blaze and could go well at a decent price.
The first semi looks set to be dominated by Ela Maestro and Ballymac Taylor. Its safe to say the running styles of the pair differ greatly. Ela Maestro will bid to set the pace while Ballymac Taylor will be thundering home from halfway. If the gaps appear for Taylor, she will be hard to stop. However, the safest bet looks to be Ela Maestro and hopefully for her supporters Taylor is held up in the early part of the race. Both should safely qualify for next weekends final but slight preference is just for Ela Maestro.
