As we face into Christmas, tonight’s action is the last before a brief break in the greyhound racing calendar with no racing until Wednesday, December 27th, while most tracks will return for just one night of action next Friday before another couple of days off for New Year.
Tonight’s action is certainly high class with Tralee, Shelbourne Park and Cork hosting particularly good cards. The feature at Tralee is the final of the Eric Brown Memorial Kingdom Derby and many of the very fastest in training will be bidding to land the €5,000 prize.
Few would disagree that De Lahdedah is perhaps the fastest dog in the land but h goes into tonight’s decider on the back of three straight losses. The 525yd trip allied with the sharp nature of Tralee probably don’t best suit his running style and a trap five draw is also unlikely to suit the brilliant son of Lenson Bocko.
For those reasons he can be opposed this evening, although it isn’t done lightly. Such is his ability, it would be no surprise if he were to blitz his rivals although may need a lighting fast start to do so.
Instead, Superfast Gorden, who is improving at a rapid rate, stands out as the one to beat from a near-ideal draw on the fence. After posting two fast times in the last two rounds, the Pat Buckley trained youngster is expected to start favourite and, should he start on terms, can assert into the turn.
Remarkably only two trainers are represented in the decider with Pat Buckley and Liam Dowling each responsible for three runners. Bobsleigh Syd and Road Exile complete Buckley’s team, which is headed by Superfast Gorden, while De Lahdedah is joined by his kennel companions Ballymac Marino and Ballymac Walt for Dowling. It really is a quality packed affair and could provide a thrilling contest.
Dublin’s action is headlined by the semi-finals of the valuable Christmas Oaks. A huge crowd is likely to pour through the stiles at Shelbourne Park for the final meeting ahead of Christmas and the action on the track should provide a fittingly festive atmosphere to what should be a wonderful night.
Early speed could be the key to success in both heats. Boylesports Coco has the best of the draw in the opening semi and looks the most likely pace-setter. Last weekend’s impressive winner Quivers Magic is drawn on her right shoulder and can emerge as the main threat but Boylesports Coco is chosen to make all.
The second heat is packed with real quality. The big three in the betting are likely to be Rathdown Molly, Lets Go Bubbles and Droopy Nice One, although Ballymac Run, Delightful Izzy and Sawdust Storm would be more than able to get involved should the favourites fluff their lines.
Lets Go Bubbles and Rathdown Molly actually met last week with the verdict going the way of Lets Go Bubbles. Making the sort of start that made her half-sister Susie Sapphire world famous, Lets Go Bubbles emerged a comfortable four and a half length winner over her rival.
Rathdown Molly failed to hit the ground running on that occasion and ran well to almost join the fast starting lets Go Bubbles into the third turn. With a better start this evening, from a draw on the immediate inside of Lets Go Bubbles, Rathdown Molly could set the pace. That can make all the difference and she is selected to lead home her conqueror of six days ago.
Cork also features top class racing this evening including the final of the Elite Contracting Open 575. Easy Razzle has been in tremendous form through the stake with the Laurels runner-up going unbeaten through the prelims and she should again make a bold bid.
She should lead up those on her immediate inside and can race prominently. That would certainly see her emerge as one of the leading fancies, while Orchid Legacy and Gaytime Hugo are also likely to have a say from a kind draw on the inside of the track but slight preference is or the frustrating Nomadic Nova.
A hugely fast tracker, he often leaves his race at the start but a wide draw this evening could see him produce one of his best runs. If trapping on terms, he is likely to have too much early dash for his rivals and is selected to take charge into the bend before going on to make every yard thereafter.
