With the arrival of December, Christmas is now officially upon us with the big day just over three weeks away. However, for those who follow greyhound racing, the RCÉ Winter Racing Festival is their Christmas.
The two greatest nights of racing throughout the year will dominate proceedings this weekend. It all gets underway at Shelbourne Park this evening, although the main course and dessert comes tomorrow night with the vast majority of Ireland’s very fastest greyhounds in action.
Throw in a couple of UK raiders, races over seven different distances, an incredibly festive atmosphere and it really is an unmissable couple of nights at the home of greyhound racing.
In terms of the racing itself, the eight championship races and the final of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake take centre stage. As stated, there are races over seven different distances on the night meaning there is something for everyone.
The Championship 550 is perhaps the stand out race with a line0-up that would be fitting of any classic decider. Just seven days after meeting in the Leger decider, kennel companions Clonbrien Treaty and Swords Rex meet again but they will be joined by four of the best in training.
De Lahdedah, in particular, is hugely exciting, although it would be brash to ignore the claims of dual classic winner Bobsleigh Dream, Another Holiday and Champions Stakes winner Trinity Junior. It really is a special race but De Lahdedah is just chosen ahead of Bobsleigh Dream and Clonbrien Treaty.
Liam Dowling, who trained De Lahdedah, also has outstanding claims in the Championship 550 and 850. In fact, Ballymac Katie will be hot favourite to land the 850yd contest. She is a special stayer and prove far too strong for her rivals.
Ballymac Finn returned to his very best last weekend and is a likely favourite to win the Championship 525. If he makes one of his better starts, he can get the better of Laurels champion High Trend and the hugely exciting Highview Splash.
The National Puppy Stake decider is another intriguing contest. The winner is most likely to come from the inside of the track with both Scooby Countess and Whyaye Bonnylad coming into the race on the back of impressive semi-final successes.
Much will depend on the start but Whyaye Bonnylad is perhaps a little sharper and that could make the difference with the Robert Gleeson trained speedster chosen to dominate.
The UK will have a live challenger in the Championship 750 in the form of Droopys Clue. A stunning winner of the English St Leger, he should relish the test Shelbourne Park provides and can get the better of two of Ireland’s finest, Kinturk Road and Threesixfive.
Racing ends tomorrow evening with two wonderful races over the 600 and 575yd trips. Bens Teddy, Blackstone Lacey and Gaytime Hugo renew rivalry after meeting at Limerick last Saturday. On that occasion, Blackstone Lacey was seen at her very best, flashing from traps to dominate in a new track record.
She faces a slightly tougher test this time and needs to clear Millridge Bryce in the opening yards. In contrast, Bens Teddy need only concentrate on going as fast as he can into the turn from an ideal draw on the fence. As a result, the Derby third is selected to reverse form with his two rivals.
The final race on the card is over the 575yd trip and St Leger third Sober Glory will be favourite to emerge on top. He flew home in the Leger decider and could be counted as a little unlucky. He is far from a certainty, however. From a tricky draw in four, the Karol Ramsbottom trained powerhouse needs to come away racing or else he could find himself surrounded into the turn.
Rivals such as Ballymac Marino, Beepers Lariat, Derby finalist Music Glideaway and Lotto Six One will ensure a tremendous finish to the festival but Sober Glory is chosen to tiptoe his way around the corner before powering to a fine and most deserving success.
Others that appeal in their respective championship races include Droopy Mandolin in the Bitch 525, Ballinakill Alf in the sprint and East Razzle in the Bitch 550.
Those wishing to view both tonight’s and tomorrow’s action from Shelbourne Park can do so on RPGTV, Channel 427 on the Sky Platform, from 7pm.
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