On what is a big weekend for greyhound sport, the highlight of the action is, without question, the final of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick this evening. Worth a whopping €80,000 to the winner, the stake has become one of the jewels in Irish greyhound racing’s crown since the inaugural running in 2013.
Ten years on, it is second only to the Derby in terms of monetary value and never fails to attract the very best young greyhounds in training. Tonight’s final is one of the most intriguing races of the past year.
The presence of Clonbrien Treaty on the inside of the track is a headache for many of those on his immediate outside with the hugely talented son of Pestana certain to move off the fence in the opening exchanges.
It could potentially cause congestion on the inside of the track unless he can get to the front early, which is also a strong possibility. He also happens to be one of the three runners for Graham Holland, who is bidding to win the classic for the second year running after a success of Swords Rex twelve months ago.
His team is completed by Hovex Tommy and Gaytime Hawk. In fact, the latter was a hugely impressive semi-final winner, posting a rapid 28.09 from the front. A similar return this evening would see him go close but much will depend on whether he can repeat last week’s flying exit and contain Clonbrien Treaty into the bend.
Scaglietti, Ryhope Beach and Bogger Lucky complete a top-class line-up. The first named is bidding to hand Pat Guilfoyle a First Kirby Memorial success. He has no shortage of pace but needs to make a flying start from three to have any chance.
Ryhope Beach represents the legendary Michael O’Donovan. He is an incredibly fast greyhound with a big future but must show a little more urgency in the early stages. If he were to find a fast start, he could easily come home in front and see his price slashed for Derby glory, such is his potential.
Bogger Lucky is drawn in the stripes and has fine early speed. He may not be as strong as some of his rivals but must be respected as he is a potential pace-setter and any traffic problems could work in his favour.
It’s an intriguing contest and one that be viewed live on RPGTV on Sky channel 427. In terms of picking a likely winner with any real confidence, it’s pretty much an impossibility but the vote just goes to Clonbrien Treaty.
Tomorrow night’s action at Shelbourne Park features more classic action with the RPGTV Open 600 getting underway. Ballinabola Ed has been one of the fastest greyhounds of recent years and but has yet to taste big race glory
Luck hasn’t always been his ally but he is made to succeed over the 600yd trip at Shelbourne Park. the long run to the turn should really play to his strength and it is no surprise to see him dominate the outright betting with the Pat Buckley trained runner a considerably shorter price than his nearest rival in the market.
Ballinabola Ed is blessed with stunning pace and an abundance of power and can dominate to come home clear in the final heat, which also happens to be the strongest in terms of depth of the four. Allforthebest, Storys Cashout and Toolmaker Wilde are selected to win the remaining heats.
The final of the Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks is also part of Saturday’s Shelbourne card and the exciting Easy Razzle can follow up two near-perfect runs in the prelims. Trained by Johnny Linehan, Easy Razzle has superb early speed and a perfect draw in the stripes.
She will again need to be at her sharpest as both Lets Go Bubbles and Boylesports Coco are very talented but Easy Razzle is chosen to lead early before coming home in front.
