The sweltering weather conditions last weekend saw the postponement of many greyhound meetings but, thankfully, with temperatures dropping a little in recent days, normal service should return in the coming days.
After their postponement last weekend, the final of the John Whelan Memorial Kennedy Cup and the second round of the Centenary Agri Tipperary Cup will be a run a week later than expected but the undoubted highlight of the action this weekend is the start of the 2022 Boylesports Champion Stakes at Shelbourne Park on Saturday evening.
The aptly named competition is only open to eighteen greyhounds but they are, as always, a very select group. In the forty-three-year history of the competition, many of the greatest greyhounds in the sport have landed the valuable prize.
These include subsequent Derby champions Manorville Magic, Ardfert Mick and Shelbourne Aston, previous Derby winner Razldazl Billy and superstars Clares Rocket, Pestana, Ballymac Vic, Droopys Jet, Paradise Madison, Droopys Maldini and Droopys Kewell amongst others.
Twoinarow has been installed favourite for this year’s renewal with the sponsors, Boylesports, but only his very best will suffice as he takes on many of Ireland’s fastest in the €20,000 to the winner showpiece.
The Pat Kiely trained star is housed in two in the second heat and is likely to make a bold bid but, with only two to progress to the final, any errors, however small, could prove costly.
The presence of Laurels champion One Time Only on his inside in trap one and the brilliant Part Blake drawn in four, the race to the corner will be frenetic. Crafty Bonanza is another capable of going up fast while Jaytee Wexford and 2021 Derby finalist All About Ted complete a stellar field.
If Twoinarow clears One Time Only in the opening yards, he could well go on to record a fine success but that is no easy task. Whatever the result, the winner is likely to be the greyhound that leads the field into the back straight.
Early speed could also have a decisive bearing on the opening heat, although there are a number of powerful trackers in the line-up. Bockos Budsit is expected to start favourite after a series of superb displays in recent weeks but will need to get loose to halfway as Oaks champion Raha Mofo, Produce Stakes winner Gaston Pecas, and recent 575yd track record breaker Sentimental Lad will be going as fast at the finish as they were at the start.
Add in the beaten favourite in last year’s Champion Stakes decider Deadly Destroyer and the hugely exciting Ballymac Leon and it’s another race to savour.
Crokers Spirit has long been a top-class talent and has the chance to show off his strengths in the final heat. A greyhound that is always at his best when allowed to dictate along the fence, he has an ideal draw on the rail and seems certain to make a bold bid if anywhere close to his best.
Kilgraney Sydney and Droopys Nice One are worthy adversaries but both will need to be foot-perfect at traps, while Tullig Raven is perhaps the most interest runner in the entire stake. The Pat Buckley trained youngster equaled the 525yd track record at Tralee on debut and is potentially very special.
The Boylesports Champion Plate also looks a tremendous competition. The two-run event will run alongside the Champion Stakes and is packed with real early speed. It’s worth noting that last year’s Plate winner was Jackslittlething, who went on to finish third in the Derby.
Dundalk will also play host to a wonderful card on Saturday with the second round of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup the feature. Serene Ace was a brilliant opening round scorer, posting a standard setting 20.80. If repeating that sort of form, he could again get the better of the ante-post favourite Flashing Willow in the first of the six heats heat.
Young handler Adam Dunford had an incredible opening round, sending out three winners in the form of Fantasy Reece, Fantasy Jesse and Shancol Johnny. All three were mighty impressive in victory and it would be no shock if each were to win again.
Of course, things are slightly tougher this week. Fantasy Reece needs a flying start to see off the likes of Mustang Joey, Off The Pitch and De Los Santos in Heat 4, while Shancol Johnny has Ross Dame, Gizmo Cash and Westside Frank to contend with.
Fantasy Jesse has strong claims in the final heat. He dipped under 21 seconds last week and will again go close on Saturday if repeating that run. Zoom and Hawkfield Ava stand out as the main dangers.
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