Greyhound racing is no different to any other sport in the fact that extreme weather conditions can play havoc. That was certainly the case last weekend with numerous meetings postponed due to the heavy rain encountered over a three-day period.
The most significant postponement came at Shelbourne Park on Saturday where the final of the Bresbet Easter Cup was due to take centre-stage. It means that Susie Sapphire had to wait a week for her potential date with destiny.
The daughter of Droopy Jet is the best around and, if she were to secure another classic success on Saturday, she would cement her position as one of, if not the, greatest bitch to grace these shores.
After a couple of rusty efforts on her comeback start, and in the opening round, she bounced back to her brilliant best in her two subsequent starts. Displaying her trademark trapping ability and searing early speed, she put her rivals to the sword in both the second round and semi-finals.
As a reward for her efforts, she has been handed the red jacket of one. Of course, in 2021, she captured the Puppy Oaks, the Sporting Press Irish Oaks and the Boylesports Irish Derby, wearing the red of one on each occasion.
In each of her competition successes, she produced her best run in the decider, dominating throughout in all three. The vast majority of those Journeying to Shelbourne Park, or watching on RPGTV, tomorrow evening will be expecting a very similar scenario.
Sponsors Bresbet have introduced Susie Sapphire at a very restrictive 2-5 and that looks an accurate guide to her claims. Romeo Magico and his kennel companion Knight Tornado are closest to Susie Sapphire in the betting, while Priceless Jet, Beach Avenue and Darbys Delight are available at big prices.
We could talk about the claims of each of the remaining five runners but it would include the proviso that Susie Sapphire makes a mistake of some sort. That is not something Susie Sapphire does very often. Yes, Romeo Magico has beaten her twice in the past but excuses can be made for both defeats.
He is nominated as the biggest threat but anything short of another trap to line success for Susie Sapphire would be seen as a major shock. So, if you are in a position to get to Shelbourne Park to see Susie Sapphire in action, it comes highly recommended. She’s a bit special and is selected to lead home Romeo Magico and Beach Avenue.
The action can be viewed live on RPGTV from 6pm on channel 437 on the Sky platform. For those that can’t watch it on television, it is also live streamed at https://www.sportystuff.tv/#about or watched via the Racing Post’s own site https://greyhoundbet.racingpost.com/
Elsewhere, there’s plenty to look forward to in the coming days. Tonight’s action at Newbridge and Kilkenny features two the semi-finals of two big competitions. At Newbridge, all eyes will again be on Tullymurry Faith and Forest Diamond in the Brownstown Tango & NTSC Open Unraced Bitch 525, while the semi finals of the Ballymac @ Stud McCalmont Cup are the highlight.
Tomorrow evening, the ladies will star in the semi-finals of the Cork Oaks at Curraheen Park. Illnotbeback is a rapid improver and seems to be in great form ahead of the second heat. From an ideal draw on the fence, she gets the nod ahead of the brilliant Billys Diva, Pennylane Sheba and Good Diva.
The opening heat features the defending champ Clona Skye. She suffered defeat last week and faces a less than ideal draw in the stripes but is still chosen to overcome her rivals. Benalmadena Roxy can emerge as the main threat.
