Pestana created history at Shelbourne Park last weekend, becoming the first greyhound in Irish greyhound racing history to break the 29 second barrier for 550yds. Producing one of the most near-perfect displays ever witnessed by a racing greyhound, the Owen McKenna trained star confirmed his standing as the one to beat in the Boylesports Derby.
As a greyhound fanatic, enthusiast and nerd, it was a special night and it was a great honour to provide the soundtrack to such an historic display. When you step into the commentary box you can only dream of having the chance to call such a run and the memory will live with me for my remaining years.
As a reward for his incredible performance, Pestana has been handed a tough assignment in Saturday’s third round and will, again, need to be at his very sharpest. It would be inconceivable were the Champion Stakes winner to make his exit from the Derby so soon after setting a new national record for the Derby distance.
That is only a small possibility, however, with the odds suggesting he is far more likely to continue his winning ways despite the presence of some hugely talented rivals.
Of course, the third round of the Derby, much like in a golf major, is when things really start to take shape. It’s also the first time in the competition that the remaining 48 competitors will be in action on the same night.
The fact that the greyhounds will be racing in front of a virtually empty stand is truly disappointing but it should make little difference to the dogs themselves. In fact, it may suit a couple of the more-jumpy types.
Outside of Pestana, there are a number of greyhounds with serious Derby claims and most of these will be hot favourites for their respective heats. Glengar Bale is currently the second choice in the ante-post betting and is set to start the shortest priced favourite of the round in Heat 5.
Trained by Pat Buckley, who captured the Derby with the sensational College Causeway in 2009, Glengar Bale seems to get better every time he steps on a track. He was the star of proceedings on Friday last, as the second round of the Derby got underway, and was actually promoted to favouritism for outright glory until Pestana produced the goods the following night.
Just behind Pestana and Glengar Bale in the betting are the Liam Dowling owned duo, Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Wild, and both are expected to starts odds-on to follow up their brilliant second round victories.
In particular, Ballymac Cooper looks bombproof in Heat 6. From an ideal draw in the stripes the son of former Derby champion Ballymac Matt should have too much ammunition for his rivals which include the talented Feudal Spirit.
His kennel companion Ballymac Wild lines out in the red jacket of trap one in Heat 4. He too looks the part, although he will need to come away on terms to avoid getting squeezed up in the early yards.
The only greyhound left in the competition that can boast a Derby victory is the defending champion Lenson Bocko and, while he has yet to produce anything like his best since returning to action after a long layoff, he can account for his kennel companion Newinn Sheedy in the opening heat.
It could be a big night for his handler, Graham Holland, as he is also chosen to win Heats 2 and 3 with Ballydoyle Valor and Newinn Taylor.
Certainly, the betting would suggest there are a number of greyhounds that should win on Saturday but the very nature of the greyhound racing means that shocks can, and often do, occur. One thing’s for certain, there will be more wonderful brilliant performances as the final 48 greyhounds become 24 in the third round of the Boylesports Derby.
For those wanting to view the third round action live, Racing Post Television will be televising the racing on the Sky platform on channel 175 or you can also view it on the Racing Post greyhound bet website at https://greyhoundbet.racingpost.com/
