While greyhound racing continues behind closed doors, thousands will be tuning in from the comfort of their homes to view Saturday’s action from Shelbourne Park as the quarter finals of the Boylesports Irish Derby take centre stage.
This year’s competition, which boasts a winner’s purse of €115,000, has provided some of the greatest racing imaginable and all evidence would suggest we can expect more of the same this weekend.
Most column inches to date have been dedicated to Pestana and justifiably so. Not only did he post the fastest time of the opening round but he followed it up in sensational fashion, smashing the national record for 550yds in the second round.
He also emerged a brilliant winner of his third round assignment last week although he wasn’t fastest. Instead, that honour went to Newinn Taylor as he sent out a reminder that this is far from a one-dog competition, posting a fastest of the round 29.11 with a sensational front running display.
As a result of their heroics, the pair head the betting for outright glory with Pestana fractionally shorter than Newinn Taylor. The draw has kept the duo apart for another week and both greyhounds seem certain to start odds-on for their respective quarter finals.
Pestana lines out in the third heat of the round and, while the draw is far from ideal, he will be very difficult to stop, especially if he can make a similar start to his last two wins. Ballymac Cooper is certainly a worthy adversary and has an ideal draw in the stripes but needs to hit the ground running to worry Pestana.
Deerjet Sydney is another possible threat to the pair, although he too faces a tricky draw in four and seems certain to cut for the fence in the early yards. If doing so, he could give Pestana the room needed to get into full stride and that could make all the difference.
Newinn Taylor is in action in the final heat where he will be the shortest priced favourite of the round. It is far from a straightforward task for the Graham Holland trained star, however. There is no doubt he has more raw early speed than his rivals and looks the most likely pace-setter, but were he to miss a step at boxes it could leave the door open for Boylesports Xtra.
The latter is a lightning fast starter and has been running at the peak of his powers in recent weeks. Were he to turn in front, or just behind Newinn Taylor, he could be hard to stop.
The two remaining heats feature two potential superstars. Ballymac Wild is unbeaten in the competition and has the draw to continue his winning ways in the opening heat. Liam Dowling’s powerful performer has already captured the Juvenile classic at Tralee and run up the Champion Stakes and has improved in recent weeks. Blessed with great all-round speed, the brindle is hard to oppose.
That leads us to Glengar Bale in Heat 2. The Pat Buckley trained star is another boasting an unbeaten record in the Derby and, worryingly for his rivals, it’s possible there is still better to come. Of course, it’s all about qualification tonight and next Saturday, although it would be a surprise if he didn’t maintain his unbeaten record in the classic.
Standing in his way are the likes of Newinn Sheedy, Mustang Firmino and the Robert Gleeson trained pair of Kilara Icon and Toolmaker Sydney. All four have superb pace, but whether they can match Glengar Bale into the corner is doubtful.
It should be a memorable night of racing and for some the Derby dream will continue. Unfortunately, only twelve greyhounds can progress and those that don’t make it will suffer severe disappointment.
Remember you can view the action live on RPGTV on channel 175 on the Sky platform or you can also view it on the Racing Post greyhound bet website at https://greyhoundbet.racingpost.com/
