Another weekend means more brilliant greyhound racing to look forward to including plenty of classic racing from Shelbourne Park and Curraheen Park. The final of the RPGTV Juvenile Derby is certainly the highlight in Dublin and Ian Reilly is seeking to win the classic for the fourth time with the favourite Droopys Got It representing his Phoenix Kennels outfit.
Standing in his way are five exceptionally talented young greyhounds with a big future. They include the razor-sharp duo of Another Holiday and Trinity Junior, while Bogger Hunter and Clona Duke can also motor into the turn. The field is completed by Three Canons, who herself has a big future, be it over further than the 525yd trip.
As with any major final, the race to the corner could be decisive. With that in mind, it’s perhaps best to focus your attention on the big three in the betting, Droopys Got It, Another Holiday and Trinity Junior. All three have been prolific to this point in their career but only one can win tonight.
Another Holiday and Trinity Junior are drawn on the outside of the track. The first named is less hindered by the draw than his rival. A flying starter, he steered a middle to wide lath last week despite being an inside seed and that will encourage his supporters.
In contrast, Trinity Junior would far prefer a rails draw. If he is to score from five, he must come through the bars and get first run on Droopys Got It on the corner. That is easier said than done.
Bogger Hunter is better housed on the fence but needs to hold the favourite Droopys Got It in the opening exchanges. On all known form, that seems a tough task with the market leader blessed with stunning early dash. Bogger Hunter, who is a brother to the beaten Irish Derby favourite Callaway Pro Am, is very quick down the back straight but so too is Droopys Got It.
Three Canons races from the middle and needs to be at her sharpest. Her future seems likely to come over further and it’s difficult to see her landing a telling blow without some luck. Clona Duke, as stated earlier, can go up fast but needs to find more consistency at traps.
In truth, Droopys Got It is a more than deserving favourite. The key to his race will be clearing Bogger Hunter in the opening strides. If doing so, he is likely to find himself in the perfect position on the turn and he can make a decisive move into the back straight to come home clear.
The final of the Yvonne Barry Bookmaker Open 600 is the feature on the undercard and Derby third and Corn Cuchulainn champion Crafty Kokoro stands out as the one to beat. Bobsleigh Dream and Bockos Crystal stand out as very real dangers to the favourite but Crafty Kokoro is special and she can assert in the second half of the contest to claim another big prize.
Incidentally, the action from Shelbourne Park can be viewed live on RPGTV, the sponsors of the big race, from 7.15pm via the Sporty Stuff channel on the sky platform, channel 437.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the country, the Irish Laurels continues at Currahen Park, Cork. The opening and second round provided some exceptional racing and some brilliant performances and it’s safe to expect more of the same in Saturday’s quarter finals.
Droopys Edison took most of the headlines last weekend with a stunning track record breaking display. He faces a far tougher test in the final heat and may have to settle for second spot behind the rapidly progressive and hugely exciting Garryvoe Joe.
Without tempting fate, the track record may be under threat if Swords Rex produces one of his better starts in the opening heat. He was right back to his very best last week, riding a bump on the turn to see off some of the fastest greyhound un training with relative ease. He can lead home Wi Can Dream.
The remaining heats are pretty competitive but the Ballymac Whispa and Good Cody appeal.
Sunday’s action from Mullingar can also be viewed on RPGTV and the semi-finals of the Matchbook Fair Warrior are the highlight on the card. Gizmo Cash is the one to beat in the sprint competition and is likely to lead home Sunshine Tiger in the second semi, while Mustang Joey is chosen to make up for his latest mishap in the opening heat.
