GREYHOUND PREVIEW: It’s the final of the Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby on Saturday at Monmore whilst Central Park stage the final of the Kent Plate featuring current Derby Favourite King Memphis. BARRY CAUL previews the action.
Kings and Queens to Rule at Central Park
Liz and Rab McNair are enjoying a fine recent run of late, and they have a real stranglehold at Central Park this Saturday where they are responsible for four of the six runners in the final of the Kent Plate. It would come as a major surprise if they were to leave empty handed. The Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby will be run at Monmore on Saturday afternoon. In Ireland the Kirby Memorial is at the second-round stage at Limerick where all eyes will be on Ballymac Danica after her track record breaking run in the opening round. Its semifinal time in the Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park and Sunday will see the final broadcast from RPGTV/Greyhound TV on the Sportystuff platform.
Kent Plate at Central Park
With four of the six finalists under their care, it would come as a major surprise is Rab and Liz McNair were to come up short in the Kent Plate Final from Central Park on Saturday evening. They are responsible for the top four in the betting with Droopys Reserve (16s) and Whyaye Man (20s) completing the field. Current English Derby favorite King Memphis looks to be the kennels main hope here. Unbeaten in his last nine outings Memphis seems to be much more professional at boxes than was the case earlier in his career and if he can repeat last week’s run, he is the one they all must beat. The major issue for King Memphis is the presence of his litter brother and kennel mate King Capaldi on his outside. Capaldi has electric early pace but will surely head for the rails on the run to the all-important first bend. Much will hinge on the break and for supporters of Capaldi and its imperative he gets to the fence unscathed.
The two inside runners Queen Shakira (1) and Queen Joni drawn in two will also be looking to make all. Joni showed fine early pace and determination to get to the front last weekend despite missing the kick and she could well be the one to be with. She should have the better her kennel mate in one and there is a major possibility the Memphis and Capaldi could come together in the early yards. Joni herself has some fine form and doesn’t have too much to find on the clock on last weeks running despite things not going according to plan. It’s a tricky decider for punters but a small bet on Queen Joni could prove profitable.
Puppy Derby at Monmore
With only one runner available at double figure odds for this Saturdays final it suggests the final is wide open. Clona Curly caught the eye of many in the semifinal when he came from last to secure a qualifying place behind heat winner Barntick Bear. Curly tends to struggle in the early yards, and I find it hard to fancy him in this despite him currently topping the market. He will have more in front than behind at halfway and it won’t be easy to peg back this quality of opposition. His fast starts are few and far between and he’s certainly worth taking on in this.
I will side with another ex-Graham Holland trained runner Untold Dollar. Dollar showed real promise in his brief Irish career and beat a good field when winning the consolation final of the Rural Kennels unraced stake at Clonmel. He seems to be improving with each start since his switch to the UK and looks to have a good chance to lead. Omuircheartaigh and Clona Curly are exceptionally fast when things go right but for me Untold Dollar may be gone beyond recall. The final is due off at 12:47 on Saturday afternoon.
Easter Cup at Shelbourne
We are down to the last dozen at Shelbourne Park in this years Easter Cup semifinals. The first semi is by far the stronger of the two and I wouldn’t be surprised if it were to be 3/1 the field. Last weeks fastest heat winner Highview Splash has been drawn in trap two with Clona Duke in red. Duke will move off slightly on the run to the corner while Highview Splash will be seeking the rails on the run up. Early pacers Ballymac Walt (5) and Clonbrien Treaty (6) look sure to race prominent, but both have been struggling to see out the trip in recent weeks and need to see it out better. Undulation (4) is unbeaten since she returned to action but looks to be facing a tricky draw. That leaves us with Deadly Jet. He caused a mild surprise last weekend when leading early before coming again to power past Clonbrien Treaty on the run in. Jet has some good form around here last year in the juvenile derby and can’t be discounted. It’s a real mine field for punters and I will gladly recommend a watching brief.
Boylesports Bob will be the selection in the second semi. He has yet to really hit the lids in the competition but has been running on well from off the pace. There is a lack of early pace on his inner this weekend and with a level start Bob should be able to race to the lead. Hukum, advised here last week at 50s will hopefully qualify for next weekend’s final.
Last Broadcast of Greyhound TV on Sunday
This Sunday will mark the unfortunate end of live greyhound racing as Sportystuff will cease to operate. I have been lucky enough to contribute to the show over the last year are so and will be the remote guest for the final time this Sunday where Mullingar will be my focus. At the time of writing Sunday’s card has yet to be published but I will do my upmost to go out with a couple of winners on Sunday afternoon. Hopefully the show will be back in the near future. BARRY.
