Graham Holland captured a fifth Laurels success last weekend with High Trend coming out on top after a tremendous contest which saw him contain the big finish of Easy Razzle. Ireland may have been facing the All-Blacks in the Rugby World Cup on the same night but a good crowd still turned up at Curraheen Park and were greatly rewarded with a wonderful night of action.
This weekend is considerably quieter with no classics underway but that will change next Saturday as the St Leger commences at Limerick. There will no doubt be a top-class entry and Monday’s opening round draw should attract huge interest.
No sooner than the completion of the Leger, attention will then switch to the Winter Racing Festival at Shelbourne Park. It goes to highlight just how busy the Irish greyhound racing calendar.
This weekend it is the turn of the sprinters and the youngsters to take centre stage. The two major competitions of the year at Mullingar are the Cesarewitch and the Fair Warrior Sprint. The latter is currently on-going at the midlands venue and this year’s stake is sponsored by RPGTV.
As a result, the action will be televised live on RPGTV on Sunday afternoon. So Its Rapid and Scarborough Fair set the standard in the opening round with both posting a fast 21.29. Just behind the pair was Pavilion Fire as he went just one sport slower.
The undoubted clash of the second round is that of the aforementioned duo of Pavilion Fire and Scarborough Fair. The pair are joined by the useful Zippy Canning, Clonuff Colm and Ballygraigue Ten in Heat 3 which is comfortably the strongest of the four heats.
So Its Rapid will be hard to beat in Heat 2 where he is favourably drawn in four. Stefans Charmer could emerge as a serious threat of starting on terms from a rails pitch.
Boylesports Coco and Hawkfield Ava make most appeal in the final heat. Neither managed to win their opening round assignment but did run well in defeat. Hawkfield Ava is a noted fast starter and that could make the difference. Glenfircal and Steeple Rd Bob can battle it out in the opening heat.
Shelbourne Park’s Saturday night action features the second round of the valuable Paddy Merriman Memorial and the opening round of the RPGTV Puppy Oaks. Impressive opening round scorers, Whyaye Bonnylad and Ballynew King appeal in the Merriman Memorial, while the Puppy Oaks is particularly hot.
There are some really exciting youngsters on show and it’s safe to assume many of those in action will be amongst the best in training in 2024. While there is real quality on show in each, the final heat is incredibly hot.
Lincoln Legacy, Fashion Model, Azurite, Ballymac Marcia and Epic Chick are all potential future classic winners and they could serve up a tremendous contest.
There is also Irish representation across the water this weekend with the Robert Gleeson trained duo of Droopy Mandolin and Droopys Ailsa contesting the semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing British Oaks.
The former actually went fastest of the second round qualifiers and is now favourite to win the classic. She has a favourable draw at Perry Barr on Saturday and is selected to come home in front to claim her place in next weekend’s decider. Droopys Ailsa faces a tougher test but is also capable of progressing.
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