The Winter Racing Festival dominated the greyhound racing landscape last weekend, providing some of the most incredible racing imaginable. It was a fitting way to welcome in the festive season with crowds starting to pour through the stiles.
The second night of the festival was particularly good and special mention must go to the likes of Droopys Mandolin, Ballymac Walt, Ballinakill Alf, High Tend, Bens Teddy and Music Glideaway who were so impressive in their respective victories.
From start to finish, however, the racing was of the best quality possible and it left those present wanting more. Thankfully, they won’t have to wait long with some superb racing in the coming days.
The Kingdom Derby gets underway at Tralee this evening and Liam Dowling is clearly targeting the event. Based locally in Ballymcelligott, Dowling won last year’s renewal with Ballymac Whispa and he sends out his big guns in an attempt to follow up.
De Lahdedah is amongst the fastest greyhounds on the planet and is forgiven for his latest defeat at the Winter Racing Festival in what was his first start in some time. He will strip fitter and sharper and looks likely to come home in front in his opening round assignment.
Dowling also has strong claims in the three remaining heats. Ballymac Walt was back to his brilliant best at Shelbourne Park last weekend and is selected to lead home some talented rivals in the opening heat, while 2022 Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn and Juvenile Classic winner around Tralee Ballymac Marino can also make a bold bid.
Outside of the Dowling runners, the hugely talented Daleroad Duke is likely to give them most to think about in the coming weeks, while Road Exile is an interesting runner as one of the best sprinters in the land.
Shelbourne Park’s Saturday night action includes the opening round of the Christmas Oaks and the Shelbourne Marathon over the gruelling 1025yd trip. Ballymac Katie was a very costly loser of her latest outing at the Winter Racing Festival, finding early traffic before running a little flat.
If she avoids bad luck, expect the star stayer to take some stopping in the Shelbourne Marathon. She can come home alone in her semi-final. Others of note in the marathon include the festival 850 winner Highjay Muzzy, Chestnut King and Neon Blue.
Rathdown Molly may have suffered defeat at the Winter Racing Festival when failing to contain the rampant Droopys Mandolin but she ran well enough to be introduced as favourite to win the Shelbourne Christmas Oaks.
She captured the consolation Laurels earlier in the year as well as reaching the final of the Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park. If the Marie Gilbert trained star is to claim her first big race success, she will needs to account for some very talented rivals which include Boylesports Coco, Annual Coco, Ballymac Vida, Lets Go Bubbles and Droopys Nice One to name but a few.
