While there is no shortage of top class racing through to the end of the year, the final classic of the Irish calendar will come to a conclusion at Limerick on Saturday night with six brilliant trackers set to battle it out in the final of the willwego.com Irish St Leger.
Not for the first time in recent years, Graham Holland has a particularly strong hand in the decider with the top two in the market representing his all-conquering Golden based Riverside Kennels operation. Remarkably, despite having numerous finalists and, providing the favourite in three of the last five years, he hasn’t actually won the classic since Clonbrien Hero came home in front in 2017.
As it happens, Saturday’s favourite Clonbrien Treaty represents the same connections as Clonbrien Hero. The Murphy family, who bred and own Clonbrien Treaty, are local to Limerick track and would be popular winners of the classic.
Of course, the son of Pestana has already tasted classic glory around Limerick, winning the Kirby Memorial earlier in the year in tremendous fashion. Twelve months earlier, his kennel companion Swords Rex won the 2022 Kirby Memorial and he stands in the way of Clonbrien Hero on Saturday.
Both greyhounds are very special and their clash is one to savour. But this is far from a two-dog affair. Sober Glory actually set the standard in the semis, getting loose early to clock 29.40, some three hundredths of a second faster than Clonbrien Treaty.
Former English Derby runner-up Mr Chelm also takes his place in the decider, while Beepers Lariat and the rapidly progressive Ballinabola Una complete a brilliant line up.
The important bit of form is the clash of Clonbrien Treaty and Swords Rex last weekend. Swords Rex seemed certain to score when flying into the turn but Clonbrien Treaty outpointed his elder kennelmate to the third turn before emerging a superb winner.
The worrying thing for followers of Swords Rex was that he couldn’t even hold on for second with Ballinabola Una running on well to take that spot. There were certainly signs of fatigue from Swords Rex and, if you take that form at face value, he can be opposed on Saturday.
Sober Glory will certainly have support in the final but he needs to hit the ground running to clear Ballinabola Una and turn close enough to the pace-setters. That brings us back to Clonbrien Treaty, who is clearly at his best around Limerick, is in tremendous form and has a near ideal draw. The exciting tracker is chosen to come home in front of Swords Rex and Sober Glory. The action from Limerick can be viewed live on RPGTV, sky channel 427, from 7pm.
Meanwhile, in Dublin, preparations continue for the Winter Racing Festival with the semi-finals of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake the feature of Saturday’s action at Shelbourne Park. The final will be part of next weekend’s Festival.
The stars of the opening round were the flying females Scooby Countess and Mustang Fever and, a week on, they clash in the second semi-final. Both are clearly very talented and look destined for great things in the future.
The start will have a big say in the outcome but Scooby Countess has the inside line on her rival and that could make the difference.
Clona Curly overcame plenty of early traffic to confirm his standing as one of Ireland’s most exciting youngsters in the opening round and he is selected to follow up in the opening heat. He will need to avoid traffic but has the engine to run down the likes of Whyaye Bonnylad and Faypoint Sydney.
Dunnanelly Fred is also respected after catching the eye last week but Clona Curly can mow down his rivals to lead in the latter stages.
There will be Irish representation in the final of the PGR Eclipse Stakes at Nottingham on Monday evening. Graham Holland was dual handed at the start of the competition and both Bockos Crystal and Clona Duke have reached the final.
The latter is seeking his second big race success at Nottingham after landing the Select Stakes earlier in the year. He is a deserving favourite but slight preference is for his kennel companion Bocko Crystal, who ran up the Irish Derby earlier in the year. She is drawn in three and will be hard to beat if containing Clona Duke into the bend.
