IRELAND’S BEST GO AGAIN IN DERBY
Ian Fortune
After a marathon opening round of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby, packed with tremendous performances and the odd shock, it’s time to do it all again at Shelbourne Park as the second round gets underway with eight heats this evening.
This evening’s opening session is competitive to say the least. Even the warmest favourites on tonight’s card have plenty to think about and it should make for fascinating viewing. Five of the top ten in the ante-post betting lists are in action this evening including Clona Duke, Ballinabola Ed, De Lahdedah, Good Maestro and Scaglietti.
In fact, there is a couple of clashes amongst the five, adding real spice to proceedings. Below we will run through each of the eight heats.
A heat by heat guide to tonight’s session:
TIME FOR NEMO TO FIND HIS FEET
Brendan O’Connell and Graham Holland were forced to wait to see if their English Derby champion Gaytime Nemo would progress as a fastest fourth place finisher in the opening round but he can tonight start proceedings off with a bang.
In what was his first start since capturing the Derby crown on July 1st, the brilliant son of Droopys Sydney was prominent into the corner only to find bad traffic. The fact that he finished close enough to qualify is testament to his determination and ability.
With a similar start this evening, he really should have too much ammunition for his rivals which include the early paced duo of Capitan Garfio and Millridge Levi and the strong running trio of Faypoint Angry, Savana Hero and Newinn Port.
From the make-up of tonight’s contest, Gaytime Nemo is a very possible pace-setter but looks certain to turn close. If doing so, he can emerge a comfortable scorer at the expense of his kennel companion Newinn Port and Faypoint Angry.
NO ROOM FOR ERROR IN RED-HOT SECOND HEAT
Heat 2 would do justice to any classic final with all six capable of performing on the biggest stage.
Of course, Clona Duke and Romeo Magico have already tasted classic success, Mr Chelm ran up an English Derby and reached the final of a Kirby Memorial in his youth, while Deadly Showtime, Annagh Bailey and Clona Rocko have the ability to go deep in the competition.
Given the strength on show, any errors could prove very costly. Clona Duke is set to start a warm favourite from a rails draw. The Juvenile Derby and Select Stakes champ may want a little closer to the middle but, from where he is housed, he can determine his own fate.
If he makes a fast start, he is very likely to get to the corner in front which would also certainly see him come home in front. Things could get tight on the inside, however. Mr Chelm can go up fast from two, while Deadly Destroyer is also certain to go up well from three and may edge inwards.
That could potentially favour Romeo Magico in four, although he needs to find his trapping boots to take advantage. Annagh Bailey has the ability to get involved but needs a fast start, while Clona Rocko is perhaps the best drawn dog in the contest. If the last named were to get loose into the turn, he could represent real value at the prices available.
It’s impossible to predict the outcome of this contest with any real certainty but, until he makes a mistake, it’s impossible to oppose Clona Duke. He gets the nod ahead of Clona Duke and Mr Chelm, who displayed real pace in defeat last week and seems to b returning to his very best.
GET SET FOR ANOTHER TONGUE TWISTER
Bobsleigh Dream and Boylesports Bob renew rivalry in Heat 3 after causing a certain commentator a nightmare in the opening round.
Throw in Beepers Lariat and Bulletfromagun and there’s potential for another tongue twister this evening.
Well Met and Garfiney Blaze complete a high-class field and one that could provide quite a spectacle. The early exchanges will no doubt have a big say in the outcome. Beepers Lariat, Well Met, Boylsports Bob and Bulletfromagun are all capable of going up well, while Bobsleigh Dream does have a fast start in her locker.
Very little separated the five on the clock in the opening round but Well Met and Bulletfromagun managed to win. If either are to follow up, they may need to set the pace again. If not, they will be vulnerable.
Bobsleigh Dream is the one to beat. The dual classic winner flew home to be narrowly beaten last week and will be difficult to contain with a clear passage. Boylesports Bob is hugely exciting. Despite losing ground on a couple of the bends last week, he wasn’t beaten far and seems certain to go considerably faster in the near future. He is seen as the main threat to Bobsleigh Dream, while Beepers Lariat has tremendous pace and might just get the better of Well Met.
WALT TO SEE OFF DUKE
Outside of Ballymac Walt and Daleroad Duke, there seems to be a shortage of 550yd early speed on show in Heat 4 and that will certainly favour the named duo.
Ballymac Walt was brilliant in the Champion Plate and a repeat of that sort of form would see him emerge as the one to beat.
Daleroad Duke is a rapid improver with a huge future. He is a worthy adversary and can really put it up to Ballymac Walt. The pair look likely to race clear of their rivals in the early yards. Mcneill and Clonrooske Sydney will finish at speed and can emerge as the main dangers but it’s difficult to see past the big two with Ballymac Walt chosen to make every inch for Liam Dowling.
SCAGLIETTI CAN MAKE MOST OF EXTRA ROOM
The withdrawal of Ballymac Finn from Heat 5 is a real blow to the classic and the contest.
In his absence, Scaglietti, Good Maestro, Ballyhimkin Rex and Burj Khalifa are set to battle it out. Scaglietti and Good Maestro were amongst the fastest opening round scorers with the latter going just two spots quicker.
Balyhimkin Rex was just a length slower and must also enter calculations. So much will depend on the opening yards. Scaglietti will have a little bit of extra room with trap four vacant and that could make the difference. He is drawn on the right side of Good Maestro and that could allow him turn in front of his rival.
Ballyhimkin Rex would prefer a middle berth but is also respected as he too can go up fast. Burj Khalifa has fine pace throughout but needs to sharpen up at traps to add to his tally. This one could be hugely competitive throughout but the nod goes to Scaglietti to just get the better of his kennel companion Good Maestro with Ballyhimkin Rex chosen for third.
A CLASH TO SAVOUR
Ballinabola Ed is a true superstar, of that there is no doubt, but he faces a notable and perhaps worthy adversary in Heat 6 where De Lahdedah will take him on. Throw in 2022 finalist Droopys Nice One and it’s quite a contest.
Ballinabola Ed will be a hot favourite but this is one of his greatest tests of the year thus far. He needs to come away on terms. If doing so that would allow him to find a perfect pitch into the corner. His tendency to edge across to the fence approaching the bend is a slight concern but if he were to clear Droopys Nice One on the run un, that may not be a big problem.
Instead, the greatest threat comes from the rapidly improving De Lahdedah. He was a thoroughly professional winner in the opening round and has the pace to challenge any dog left in the classic. He needs to come through the bars, however, as this is the toughest test of his short career to date.
Given his brilliance and favourable draw, Ballinabola Ed is chosen to come home in front but have little doubt, both De Lahdedah and Droopys Nice One could give him plenty to think about.
A COMPETITIVE AFFAIR
Heat 7 is a mighty competitive affair.
The versatile Threesixfive has been introduced as favourite but she needs to be at her sharpest to oblige for her supporters. She had the speed to win a heat of the Oaks and has the stamina to be amongst Ireland’s best stayers.
Those two factors should see her make a bold bid but she needs to negotiate a clear passage around the turn. Hello Mom is certain to go up fast from the inside draw and is a possible pace-seter. She could represent value, while Storys Cashout and Sporty Bigman will both be finishing fast.
Press Unlock is well housed on the outside as a wide runner but needs to be at her sharpest. If forced to pick a winner, Threesixfive seems the most likely scorer but the chances of Hello Mom, Storys Cashout and Sporty Bigman at a big price aren’t dismissed.
CAN JETARA FINALLY TAKE OFF IN DUBLIN?
It doesn’t get any easier to pick a winner with any real confidence in the Heat 8, the last of tonight’s opening session.
Droopys Bro saw off a top-class field in the opening round and seems to be progressing with each start.
He faces a trickier draw this evening in four and needs to again com away racing. Jetara looked a potential superstar in the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced at Cork. He has yet to produce his very best around Shelbourne but it does seem to be coming.
From an ideal draw in the stripes, he is just selected ahead of Droopys Bro. Of the remainder, Seven Beach and Cheque For Sir make most appeal. Seven Beach is drawn tight to the fence for the first time in his career. It will be interesting to see how he handles an inside pitch.
He ran a fine race in defeat last week and can go up considerably faster. He is the value angle. Cheque For Sir is likely to race prominently but may need to set the pace, which won’t be easy with the fast- starting Goldirocks Magic and the aforementioned Seven Beach drawn on his inner. This is a five dog affair as Cryptopunk has been withdrawn from trap five.