The Boylesports Derby is set to commence on Friday August 14th, and in any other year it would mark the start of the busiest six week period of the year. Of course, 2020 is very different to any previous year with much of the twelve month calendar condensed into the final six months of the year.
It means that the Derby remains in our focus but it isn’t dominating the landscape as there is so much going on ahead of the blue riband event. Last weekend saw Pestana race to a brilliant victory in the Boylesports Champion Stakes.
So often through the years the event has been described as a great trial for the Derby but that does it a great disservice. The very make up of the competition means that only the best greyhounds available make the final eighteen and Pestana proved himself a worthy champion, displaying great determination, acceleration and track craft.
Yes, it was further proof that he is a leading Derby contender, but it also proved that he is amongst Ireland’s fastest. Years from now, we won’t be saying Pestana was a leading contender for the 2020 Derby but, rather, we will refer to him as the 2020 Champion Stakes winner.
A week on, Shelbourne Park is again in focus with the final of the €10,050 Corn Cuchulainn headlining this weekend’s racing in the capital. The top six bend event on the calendar, it gives the marathon performers their chance to shine on the biggest stage.
Fittingly, the final is a real conundrum with a number of possible outcomes. There seems little doubt that Redzer Ardfert, the track record holder, can go faster than his rivals but he needs to come away racing from trap two as he is flanked by his two greatest rivals Lenson Blinder and Ballymac Kingdom.
The latter named pair are blessed with early speed and will make Redzer Ardfert fight for the lead. Deadly Do Lago and Ballydoyle Bee can’t be dismissed either but they will need plenty to go their way if they are to triumph.
Clonmel hosts their biggest night of the year on Sunday with the final of the Larry O’Rourke National Produce Stakes offering the brilliant Newinn Taylor a further chance to enhance his already lofty reputation.
The Graham Holland trained star has begun his career with eleven straight wins and will bid to complete the dozen with a typically professional display of front-running. Standing in his way are some hugely talented rivals including his kennel companions Doolin Duke, Rathcoole Fox and Romeo Speedy.
Add to these the Tommy O’Donovan trained Epic Hero and the Peter Cronin Jacks Solution and it’s a really wonderful line-up.
All six finalists are capable of going on to achieve great things in the future, but Newinn Taylor really does look a bit special. Blessed with incredible early speed, huge pace down the back straight and a remarkable knack for winning races, Newinn Taylor is a worthy favourite and I fully expect him to dominate. Doolin Duke is the big danger, which says plenty about his level of ability, but the favourite simply can’t be opposed.
While we have highlighted the two feature finals on offer this weekend, there is an abundance of top class racing throughout the country. Tonight the youngsters will strut their stuff at Shelbourne in the semi finals of both the Oran Kennels Puppy Oaks and the Salute To Our Industry Open Unraced, while at Tralee the valuable John & Mary Killeacle Dowling Memorial comes to a conclusion.
Saturday’s action at Dundalk will see the speedsters in action in the quarter finals of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup, while the semi finals of the Tipperary Cup dominate the action at Thurles.
