No sooner had Halloween passed, the Christmas decorations were taken out, dusted down and are now adorning the many shopping centres throughout the land. Thankfully, it’s not the case everywhere but it’s fair to say that silly season has started in greyhound racing.
The decorations may not be up yet but the crowds are certainly coming through the stiles with a number of businesses getting ahead of the rush with their Christmas night out.
Of course, there is no shortage of brilliant racing on offer to those going to the tracks. The feature of this weekend is the action from Limerick and the Willwego.com Irish St Leger continues with the quarter finals.
To say this is a hot Leger is quite the understatement. So many of Ireland’s fastest remain and the battle for a place in the final twelve should provide a superb spectacle at the wonderful Limerick stadium on Saturday night.
Swords Rex has already tasted classic glory, winning the Kirby Memorial in 2022 and this year’ Easter Cup. He was also a hot favourite in this year’s English Derby decider and a beaten red-hot favourite in last year’s Produce Stakes.
He is now favourite to capture another classic victory after a stunning second round display when posting a rapid 29.27. His reward for that display is a kind draw in the second of Saturday’s four quarter finals.
While he will be a warm favourite to add to last week’s success but must come away racing as his kennel companion Nomadic Nova looks a serious threat. The latter is a rapid improver with tremendous pace, although he needs to brush up on his starting.
Ballinabola Una will no doubt finish at speed and could make the frame, while Beepers Lariat and Deadly Style will also be waiting in the wings if their more fancied rivals make any errors.
Sober Glory has been costly to follow in the previous rounds but has been handed a far more favourable draw in the red jacket in the opening heat. If he is to get back to winning ways he needs to start on terms as Glengar Elvis, Mr Chelm and Another Holiday come into the contest in top form. Mr Chelm is a former English Derby runner-up and could have a good battle up the middle of the track with Another Holiday.
One of the pair is likely to set the pace, although they will be looking over their shoulder for both Sober Glory and Glengar Elvis. Ryhope Beach also takes his place in this contest and is certainly fast enough to get involved albeit he is extremely frustrating.
Defending champion Bobsleigh Dream and Champion Stakes winner Trinity Junior meet in Heat 3. Add in Derby finalist Music Glideaway and it’s another tremendous contest to look forward to. One suspects, Trinity Junior will get to the front in the early yards but Bobsleigh Dream will be powering home and can get her nose up in the latter stages.
After brilliant displays in the previous two rounds, Clonbrien Treaty will be a hot favourite to come home in front in the final heat. The Graham Holland trained Kirby Memorial champion has superb early dash and an ideal draw in the stripes and he can get the better of Bobsleigh Syd into the third turn to emerge on top.
Those of you who are thinking of going to the dogs should consider making the journey this weekend. As part of Ag Rásaíocht Le Chéile weekend, there is free admission at a number of the greyhound stadia around Ireland on Friday and Saturday. Tracks offering free admission on Friday include Cork, Galway, Newbridge, Kilkenny and Clonmel, while Saturday’s tracks include Mullingar, Tralee, Waterford, Dundalk and Thurles.
