GREYHOUND PREVIEW: Busy weekend upcoming and Racing Post Greyhound TV will focus on Ireland this weekend. Tralee on Friday, Shelbourne Park and Limerick on Saturday night, with Mullingar live on Sunday afternoon.
Irish Bonanza This Weekend on RPGTV
Tralee Friday, Mullingar Sunday, with Shelbourne Park and Limerick set to highlight the RPGTV coverage on Saturday night, it really is an outstanding weekend of Irish racing to look forward to.
Mullingar on Sunday sees the final of the Fair Warrior at the midlands track. Run over two bends it is unique in that the finish line is located on the far side of the track near the third bend in standard race terms. Pavilion Fire is an obvious starting point. The son of Good News is unbeaten in the competition thus far and has improved on the clock in every round. His 20:96 in last weekends semifinal is the fastest run at the track this year and he will take some stopping if repeating it. On the clock it’s the closely related Hawkfield duo of Hawkfield Ava and Hawkfield Scar that may pose the biggest threat to the favorite. Hawkfield Ava was only run down late on by Pavilion Fire last weekend, and she will look to make all. Her half brother Hawkfield Scar is well drawn out in six for Pat Doran and posted a PB last week when stopping the clock in 21:07. He will need at least a repeat to get involved. Boylesports Coco was a star over four bends early on in her career. She was a Puppy Oaks finalist and made it to the semifinal of the all age Oaks at Shelbourne Park. She’s new to sprinting and this will be only her forth start over two bends. She is well housed and could be one for value seekers. Zippy Canning and So Its Rapid are both top sprinters on their day. The pair were well supported last weekend before meeting defeat. It’s a wide open final but a tentative vote just goes to Pavilion Fire.
The second round of the St Leger will take place at Limerick on Saturday, we lost a few big names in round one with Bens Teddy and Ballymac Finn among them. Eight second round heats will see three qualify from each into the quarter finals. Swords Rex made it into round two as one of the fastest losers and he will need to step up on that effort in the opening heat. Rex has a bit of a habit of needing a run or two when switching tracks and it will be no surprise to see him bounce back to his very best from his beloved red jacket. Another Holiday is the obvious danger after his stunning 29:59 win in round one, while the ever-consistent Disco Pants must also be feared after he too clocked 29:59 in round one. A host of strong running trackers line up in heat two were Bobsleigh Syd looks likely to lead. He made all to win his opening round and will look for a repeat performance. You’d imagine one of the strong runners will turn handy and I just give Boylesports Gift the nod to run down Bobsleigh Syd close home. In the third heat Trinity Junior should improve for his latest run but he will need to lead Clonroosk Sydney by a couple of lengths down the far side if he is to see him off. Clonroosk Sydney ran so well in this years Irish Derby and can score again at the expense of Trinity Junior and Romeo Hanzo. In the fourth heat Miss Mini Holly, Sober Glory and Ryhope Beach clash for the second week running. Miss Mini Holly made all after a flying start on that occasion and will attempt to repeat the tactics. Ryhope Beach is an incredibly fast greyhound, but his trapping often lets him down, he made up massive ground after a slow start and first bend trouble last time and will be hard to keep out of the frame. My vote will go to Sober Glory in here. A classy sort when on song he will improve for last weeks run and can score for popular trainer Karol Ramsbottom. Mr. Chelm finished behind Sober Glory in a red-hot contest on Derby final night and I fancy him to score in heat five, he is another who should come on for last weeks run for trainer Peter Cronin. Derby Finalists Bockos Crystal and Music Glideaway clash in heat six where they are joined by Annagh Bailey Ballymac Run Cloonturk Bruno and the puppy Glengar Elvis. In a race to savor, and a tentative vote goes to Music Glideaway. Two of the fastest first round winners clash in heat seven Ballinabola Una and Clonbrien Treaty. Clonbrien Treaty is almost unbeatable around here and is selected to see off Droopys Bro and the fast finisher Blackstone Lacey could battle out for third with youngster Ballinabola Una. The defending champion goes in the final heat, the excellent Bobsleigh Dream. She came from last to first last weekend to get the better of Da Bold Freddie and will look to employ similar tactics. Beepers Lariat looks to be her main danger.
Shelbourne Park
Shelbourne Park is the feature meeting on RPGTV this Saturday night with the final of the Racing Post Greyhound TV Puppy Oaks topping the bill alongside the final of the valuable Paddy Merriman Memorial 525. Short Grip will be fancied by many to score in the Puppy Oaks. She went oh so close to winning the recent Juvenile Derby and compensation awaits. Beaten at odds on last weekend Short Grip can break much quicker and if doing so will take all the beating. Scooby Countess has the best of the draw for her trainer Jennifer O Donnell. A 28:20 winner of her semifinal she too will have a big say with a repeat. I’ll just side with Short Grip to make all from trap four. Earlier on the card the final of the €10,000 Paddy Merriman Memorial 525 will take place at 20:49. The early lead looks up for grabs with only Mastang Fever expected to struggle slightly to the turn. Fever came home with a real rattle last weekend to get up and nab early pace setter Whyaye Bonnylad close home and it will be interesting to see how close Mustang Fever can turn on Saturday, none will be finishing faster. The early battle looks to be between Uncle Tom and Whyaye BonnyLad with the pair showing serious early speed last weekend. My Man Sam and Point of Rescue have some smart sectionals and Hot Rod can’t be dismissed having previously displayed fine early pace around Dundalk. I’ll just side with Whyaye Bonnylad from three. He has good early pace and just had the wrong one turn behind him last week. If he can lead up its only Mustang Fever who can come from behind him and she is likely to find traffic at vital stages.
