With just days left in 2023, the greyhound racing year will draw to a conclusion this weekend. It’s been a most memorable twelve months and the signs are 2024 will be every bit as good with so many hugely promising youngsters currently on the ground.
The calendar for ’24 has changed somewhat with refurbishment work expected to start on the ground floor of Shelbourne Park in the near future. It means that the Derby has been pushed right back to next November, allowing the Leger at Limerick and Laurels at Curraheen Park to be brought forward.
Before then, there will be one last night at Shelbourne Park. The famous Dublin venue features some exceptional racing this evening with the final of the Shelbourne Christmas Oaks the undoubted highlight.
A winner’s purse of €7,000 awaits one of Ireland’s most talented females. The layers believe Rathdown Molly is the one to beat and it’s difficult to disagree. Blessed with tremendous early speed and an ideal draw on the fence, the Marie Gilbert trained star looks the post likely pace-setter.
Boylesports Coco is also a real speed merchant and looks certain to challenge for early supremacy but getting around Rathdown Molly will be no easy task. Her backers will be aware of that fact and, should she fail to dictate, will likely be vulnerable to the stronger types in behind.
These include Droopys Nice One, a finalist in the 2022 Derby, and Arent We All. Both will look to turn close to the pace and would be aided by traffic on the inside of the track. Delightful Izzy and Highview Honour can be backed at far bigger prices than the remainder. Neither have the early speed necessary to challenge into the turn but they will finish at speed.
It’s a wonderful final to end a great year and Rathdown Molly can oblige for favourite backers with Droopys Nice One expected to finish closest of the remainder.
The entire Shelbourne Park card is packed with quality, however. The final of the RCETS Open 525 is particularly hot with Ballymac Finn, Daleroad Duke and Another Holiday certainly amongst the very fastest in the land.
The trio race side-by-side on the inside of the track and, as with the Christmas Oaks, an early advantage could make all the difference. Another Holiday needs to avoid the rails seeking Ballymun Boy in the opening yards but could have a big say if doing so. He just gets the nod ahead of Ballymac Finn.
Of course, after tonight’s action at Shelbourne Park, there will be no racing in Dublin until the new year. Once racing does resume, much of the attention will go on the unraced greyhounds with Clonmel hosting their Open Unraced in late January, while the first big competition of the year for the all-aged stars will be the Gold Cup which commences at Shelbourne in early February. Happy New Year to all.
