GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Classic action returns to Shelbourne Park this weekend with the opening round of the Tote Gold Cup. Betting will be available on the Betdaq Exchange and all six heats are previewed by BARRY CAUL.
Classic Action Returns to Shelbourne Park.
The first Irish Cassic of the season will get underway at Shelbourne Park this Saturday night as the first round of the 2024 Gold Cup kicks off. Meanwhile at Clonmel on Sunday the final of the 2024 Rural Kennels Open Unraced Stakes is the feature of a busy week at Clonmel both on the track and up the field.
Rural Kennels Open Unraced Stake Final-Clonmel
A large crowd is expected at Clonmel on Sunday for the final of the Rural Kennels Open Unraced stake. Six extremely well-bred youngsters will battle it out for a handsome first prize of €8,000. The eye is immediately drawn to Ballymac Danica in trap one. Hugely impressive in her semi when getting the better of Savana Alfredo, Liam Dowling’s home bred has been handed the best of the draw and will look to make all. She posted a career best effort last time out and can only improve.
Carrick Keano looks the main danger on the clock, but Rob Gleesons charge has been handed the worst of the draw outside his kennel companion Toolmaker Bud.Epic Bella was impressive in the second round and has a chance on that run although she does look to have a tricky draw outside the fast-starting Romeo Taylor. Savana Alfredo qualified well and is improving for Barry Clancy but may need a little luck.
It’s hard to oppose Danica from one and she will be the selection. Have no doubt, you will hear much more about these finalists over the coming year or so. The final will be live on GTV this Sunday night.
Tote Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park
Last Saturday night at Shelbourne Park was the last weekends racing before redevelopments get underway. There will be no ground floor access for the foreseeable future, and it will no doubt have a strange feel to the atmosphere this weekend. On the track the action steps up a level with the opening round of the 2024 Tote Gold Cup getting underway.
The first of six opening round heats is due off at 20:27. Hukum has been in fine form of late and steps back in trip for trainer Adam Dunford. He is perfectly drawn in red but faces some real speedsters in this. Arent We All has been running well in hot company of late for David Murray as too has Jetstream Breeze. The returning to action duo of Tommys Hewick and Fire Time along with the interesting Octane Cora make it an intriguing contest. A tentative vote just goes to Arent We All who may just have a sharpness edge over her rivals this weekend.
Some Big names line up in the second heat. Former Irish Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn is joined by star bitch Boylesports Coco. Throw in the lightning quick Road Exile and Jetara and it’s a real headscratcher for punters. Boylesports Coco has been so professional around here in recent weeks and although the caliber of the opposition is immense, she is expected to lead and prove hard to catch. The recent trial efforts of Finn and Road Exile are eye-catching but, on this occasion, it may just pay to side with Coco.
Recent track form can once again prove decisive in the third heat as last week’s winner Droopys Edel can go well from trap one. Ian Reillys charge was the talk of the track last weekend after producing a stunning run from well off the pace to beat a useful field. Superfast Gordon and Deadly Style both moved well in their respective trials last Saturday night but will need to be razor sharp to get the better of Droopys Edel.
Some smart dogs trialed before racing at Shelbourne last Saturday night and fastest of the session was Another Holiday. He goes in trap one in heat four. One of Irelands very best on his day Another Holiday will be the banker of the opening round for many and he’s hard to oppose. Optic Chico and the Buckley pair of De Gander Pen and Unanimous Kai should prove best of the rest.
Local runner Scotty Scheffler caught the eye in defeat last weekend, but he faces a massive task in heat five. Irish Sprint Cup winner Carrick Aldo will be popular, Aldo fluffed his lines when a warm favorite on his previous outing over the trip but was much better last time out. Kingdom Derby finalists Bobsleigh Syd and Ballymac Walt are top class on their day. Both have ideal draws and could play a part. Ballymac Wendy has been in sparking form of late. She won the Kerry Oaks when last seen and arrives here at the top of her game. However she has yet to win around Shelbourne from three starts. The vote goes to Carrick Aldo in this, hopefully he can make it a double on the night for David Murray.
The final heat is due off at 21:42. Local tracker De Foxy Devil has been in fine form around here in recent weeks and steps up to open company for the first time. He has a good draw to work with and will hope that recent workouts will give him a fitness edge over some returning to action rivals. Glengar Martha has some smart form around Shelbourne and will have no fitness woes while Cree Jo Jo has always promised plenty. He appeared tie up slightly in his recent trial and previously had set the pace in a red-hot sprint at the Winter Racing Festival. I get the impression there is more to come from Cree Jo Jo and maybe Saturday night will kick start his season. It’s a cracking card and betting for all races will be available on the Betdaq Exchange.
