With the days getting shorter and the air getting cooler, there is no let up to the Irish greyhound racing schedule. In fact, it continues at a real pace this weekend with the semi-finals of the Bar One Racing Irish Laurels the focus of attention.
One of the true classics on the calendar, the competition which was first run in 1944 at the old Western Road venue. Now run at the wonderful Curraheen Park, the crowds will flock to the state-of-the-art stadium over the next two weekends.
And the competition itself is fulfilling it’s brief by providing exceptional racing. Expect more of the same on Saturday night with both semi-finals packed with quality.
The sponsors have Jacktavern Bolt their 3-1 favourite to land the valuable prize next weekend and he will be hard to stop in the opening heat from a potentially very favourable draw in four. Ballymun Boy is set to cut for the fence from trap three, while Burgess Supreme might move off the fence.
That could lead to traffic on the inside of the track, which should allow Jacktavern Bolt take charge into the corner. If doing so, he is very likely to make it nine wins on the bounce. Given the potential traffic on his inside, Easy Razzle, from trap five can emerge the greatest threat.
The second heat is a peach. Rathdown Molly dug deep to contain Carrick Aldo in the quarter finals and the pair clash again. They will be joined this time, however, by the in-form High Trend, Glengar Martha and Role Moel amongst others.
It should be a tremendous contest but, one suspects, Carrick Aldo, who is already a classic winner, is ready to take off. Drawn in trap four, he is expected to start a little faster than in recent outings. If doing so, his stunning early speed could carry him to the front before the turn.
In such a scenario, the Irish Sprint Cup champion would likely post a lightning-fast time. Rathdown Molly, Glengar Martha and High Trend can battle it out for the remaining qualifying spots.
A week after Droopys Flytline emerged a sensational winner of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby at Shelbourne Park, the main attraction at Shelbourne Park is the semi-finals of the Yvonne Barry Bookmaker Open 600.
Derby third Bens Teddy is the clear favourite to land the €5,000 prize and he will be a hot favourite for the second semi-final where he is drawn in the blue of two. Should he clear Barefoot Supremo on the fence, as expected, in the early yards, it could leave him in the perfect position to strike.
The exciting Jetstream Breeze went over two lengths faster than Bens Teddy last week and is an obvious danger. Bens Teddy will come on for his latest outing, however. In what was his first run since the Derby final he would have blown away some cobwebs and that could prove crucial. Optic Chico is also respected, although h does tend to find one too good in many of his starts.
The opening heat features the fastest opening round scorer, Glengar Elvis. In what was his first start over the testing 600yd trip, the hugely promising youngster made light work of his task, dominating to win in 32.22
He is again likely to make a bold bid but faces a tougher test with the brilliant Droopys Nice One certain to push him hard.
There’s also a very notable benefit meeting at Limerick on Saturday evening in aid of Millford Care Centre. Run by Tom Ahern in memory of his mother, it is hoped there will be a substantial amount of money raised for this very worthwhile cause and tickets can be purchased here. Even if you are not going to make it, those wishing to contribute are urged to buy a ticket.
On the night there will be exceptional racing as well as plenty to entertain both children and adults alike. The Ireland/ Scotland rugby game will be broadcast through the stadium, there will be face-painting for the kids, while there will also be live music after racing.
