As it was last weekend, the ultra-marathon performers and some of the best bitches in training will have centre stage at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night. A huge crowd will make their way through the stiles ahead of racing as Christmas festivities hit fever pitch and they will be treated to a memorable night.
The atmosphere is almost unique at this time of year with a great mixture of party goers, be it family gatherings or work outings, allied with those on site to watch some top-class sport. Certainly, those present will get to witness some superb racing.
Ballymac Katie is fancied for the final of the Shelbourne Marathon over the two-lap 1025yd trip. She emerged a wide-margin winner of her semi-final but was only a length and a half faster on the clock than Terrific Intent that won the other heat. Despite the pair clocking very similarly, Ballymac Katie is a red-hot favourite and will likely go to traps a very short price to claim the valuable prize. It’s understandable given her history and immense ability, while strange things often happen up the gruelling trip.
Aside from Terrific Intent, Highjay Muzzy who captured the Winter Racing Festival 850, ran with promise last week and could potentially step forward. While the betting suggests Ballymac Katie will run away with it, one suspects it could be closer at the finish than many expect. Also on the Shelbourne card are the second round heats of the Christmas Oaks. The opening round saw the likes of Rathdown Molly, Boylesports Coco, Ballymac Vida and Lets Go Bubbles impress and as a result there was little change at the head of the market.
Rathdown Molly remains the favourite for outright glory and she could be hard to stop in Heat 3 if producing one of her trademark flying starts. Of her rivals. Annual Coco, Ballymac Winx and Lets Go Bubbles will offer most resistance but Rathdown Molly is on a crest of a wave at present and is chosen to dominate.
Boylesports Coco won’t have things all her own way in Heat 3 but remains the selection. The presence of the fast starting Hello Mom on her immediate inner is a concern but Boylesports Coco has tremendous early speed and this can carry her to the front. Ballymac Vida is also likely to push hard in the early yards, while Arent We All has a great draw in the stripes but Boylesports Coco can get the jump on her rivals.
Droopys Nice One and Faypoint Susie can battle t out in the final heat. Much will depend on how Faypoint Susie fares at trap rise. She stumbled last week but ran well to qualify in third. She leaves the impression that is only a matter of time before she reproduces her best English form. If doing so, she could emerge as the one to beat, although Droopys Nice One is a real talent and always a tough nut to crack. The opening heat is perhaps the weakest of the four and, in the absence of Highview Mags, Lilywhite Queen is chosen to lead from early.
Meanwhile, there will be exceptional racing at Tralee this evening as the Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby continues at Tralee. Liam Dowling has no fewer than five of the remaining twelve representing his Ballymac operation but the star of the opening round was the Pat Guilfoyle trained Daleroad Duke as he set new figures for the 525yd trip, posting a sensational 27.92.
He has been handed a tough draw in five for his efforts but remains the one to beat in the second semi-final. The exciting Superfast Gorden is seen as a huge threat, while Bobsleigh Syd and Ballymac Marino are also more than capable of making a bold bid but Daleroad Duke simply has to be the choice after his latest display.
The opening heat features De Lahdedah, who is potentially the fastest greyhound in training. He found traffic last week before chasing home his kennelmate Ballymac Seanie but is likely to reverse that form. Getting the better of his other kennel companion Ballymac Finn is a different proposition, however.
The latter ran up the 2022 Derby and has returned to top form in recent weeks. Ballymac Walt has an ideal draw in the stripes and is another with obvious claims for Liam Dowling. De Lahdedah is seen as the one to beat, however. Despite a tricky draw, he can show his pace and class to return to winning ways.
