Ireland’s crucial Rugby World Cup clash with New Zealand on Saturday evening will likely affect the crowds passing through the stiles at Shelbourne Park and Curraheen Park but it will certainly won’t take away from the racing itself.
The Bar One Racing Irish Laurels comes to a conclusion at Cork and a top-class line-up will do battle for the €30,000 winner’s purse. It’s always a special night and even Andy Farrell’s men won’t stop that. While the crowd will no doubt be down on previous years, there will still be plenty on hand to cheer home some of Ireland’s best in the ‘Derby of the South’.
One man that is no stranger to success in the classic is Graham Holland. The most dominant trainer in Irish greyhound racing for over a decade, his first Irish Classic success actually came in the 2009 Laurels when Sevenheads Bay raced to a famous victory.
He has since added three more titles to his tally and will be looking to make it win number five on Saturday. Not for the first time in his training career, he is responsible for half of the field, although his team captain is most certainly the likely favourite Jacktavern Bolt.
A greyhound with superb early speed and tremendous pace, he is bidding to win a tenth race on the bounce, a sequence that included victory in the Kasco A1 Derby at Cork last month. Holland’s team is completed by High Trend and Glor Baz.
All three are made for Curraheen Park and are capable of playing a huge part in proceedings but the draw could have been somewhat kinder.
The market suggests that Carrick Aldo is the main rival to Jacktavern Bolt. The David Murray trained star is already the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup champion and he has really taken to the Cork circuit. Should he put his best foot forward, there are very few that could live with him.
Certainly, if he starts like he did in the final of the Irish Sprint Cup, they won’t see which way he went. Flying females, Role Model and Easy Razzle, complete a top-class line-up.
There is certainly little room for error and the opening yards will be key. The presence of the rails-seeking High Trend in trap two is a concern for Jacktavern Bolt, while Carrick Aldo has been a little flat footed at boxes in each of his previous starts in the classic.
Should High Trend take a step left at traps, there is a possibility the inside duo will clash. That would leave Glory Baz and Easy Razzle with a better chance of turning close but Carrick Aldo would be best position to take advantage.
The brilliant tracker can race up the outside of the track to take advantage before coming home in front. Jacktavern Bolt is a huge threat, especially if avoiding High Trend at traps but he would almost certainly have to lead Carrick Aldo into the turn.
Should you wish to see the final, it will be part of RPGTV’s live programme on sky channel 427. And for those planning on going to the dogs, have no doubt, the rugby will be on tens of televisions throughout the stadium.
Meanwhile, the feature of Dublin’s action is the final of the Yvonne Barry Bookmaker Open 600. Bens Teddy was so good in the semi-finals and will be a warm favourite to se off his rapidly improving kennel companion Glengar Elvis and the talented duo of Jetstream Breeze and Droopys Nice One. With a clear passage, the Irish Derby third, Bens Teddy will be very difficult to contain.
