NO ROOM FOR ERROR IN DERBY QUARTER FINALS
Ian Fortune
With just seven races remaining in the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby, progression is the order of the day as the final twenty-four line up in the quarter finals of the classic at Shelbourne Park this evening.
A place in the final twelve is the goal, although nothing will come easy with tonight’s heats packed with quality. Coolavanny Hoffa and Bobsleigh Dream will be warm favourites for their respective heats, while De Lahdedah and Scaglietti dominate the market in the opening heat. In contrast, Heat 2 looks a wide-open affair with three or four potential favourites.
A heat by heat guide to tonight’s session:
LAHDEDAH AND SCAGLIETTI CLASH
The clash of De Lahdedah and Scaglietti is the perfect way to start tonight’s Derby action.
De Lahdedah is the nearest rival to Coolavanny Hoffa in the outright market but he faces a tough test with Scaglietti bidding to maintain his unbeaten record in the classic.
Both have been so impressive through the early rounds. De Lahdedah posted the fastest time of the competition last week, showing wonderful pace and track craft to lead into the back straight before going on to stop the clock in 29.15.
A slight concern for his backers is a trap three draw. He missed the start in the second round from trap four before edging across to the fence. If he were to miss the kick again, he could potentially find Seven Beach in his way.
The latter has yet to break from the inside of the track but he does have fine early speed and tends to move of the fence.
Liam Dowling’s De Lahdedah star is improving with each outing, however, and it’s probably safe to expect a faster start this evening. Scaglietti remains a huge threat. He has been ultra consistent through the stake, winning in 29.26 twice before posting 29.27 on a slightly slower surface last weekend.
He is likely to go up fast and would be near-impossible to pick up if turning in front.
It is far from a two-dog affair, however. Bitch of the Year Raha Mofo will certainly be finishing fast but needs to find a way to turn a little closer. Tommys Hewick has been in the form of his career and looks certain o race prominently. Garfiney Blaze will finish fast but needs to comes away on terms.
De Lahdedah gets the nod but his chance is dependent on getting first run on Scaglietti, who is seen as the main threat.
A REMARKABLY OPEN CONTEST
Heat 2 is the most open of the four each of the six runners holding strong claims.
Bens Teddy has been installed a marginal favourite with the off-course layers during the week but there is a chance he will be third or fourth choice in the betting this evening with Droopys Bro, Bockos Crystal, Droopys Nice One and Clonbrien Treaty all likely to attract support.
Threesixfive completes a top-class line-up and she too could potentially have a say as a noted big finisher. Droopys Bro is still a puppy but his progression in recent weeks has seen him become a serious Derby challenger.
Tonight’s assignment is his toughest test yet but he can have a huge say, especially if making a slick exit. If he were to get the better of Bens Teddy into the turn, he could find himself in a perfect position to strike.
Bens Teddy has massive pace throughout but is vulnerable to the turn. If he were to come away on terms, he too could make a bold bid.
Bockos Crystal lowered the colours of Coolavanny Hoffa last week and is coming forward in leaps and bounds after seasonal rest. Her dates are now far more favourable and she can improve further on recent efforts and is seen as a big player.
A noted fast starter, expect the Graham Holland trained star to race prominently and emerge as a leading player. Droopys Nice One and Clonbrien Treaty met last week with the former picking up her more fancied rival.
Droopys Nice One continues to run with real purpose and is more than capable of coming out on top, while Clonbrien Treaty needs to find his very best form. The Kirby Memorial champion has exceptional pace but must trap on terms.
It’s a truly exceptional contest and one that provide a great spectacle. The nod just goes to Droopys Bro. If finding room to maneouvre in the early yards, the Murt Leahy trained star can make the most of his inside draw to see off Bockos Crystal to the bend. No matter the result, three big names will make their exit in this red-hot contest.
HOFFA OUT TO ATONE FOR LATEST DEFEAT
Despite a long odds-on reversal last week, Coolavanny Hoffa remains a clear favourite for outright honours and his claims will be put to the test in Heat 3 where he faces some of the fast trackers in training.
This is a really special contest with Trinity Junior, Mr Chelm, Ballymac Marino and The Other Kobe all holding claims. Coolavanny Hoffa has again been handed his favoured striped jacket and so much depend on whether he can return to his sensational best.
It would be no surprise to any if the Michael O’Donovan trained star was to rocket to the bend before going on to clock close to 29.10 but, after his latest defeat, it would equally be no surprise if he were to suffer another reversal.
The perfectly housed The Other Kobe will be looking for a favourable early picth on the fence, while Trinity Junior will bid to turn in front again. he failed to contain his kennel mate Mr Chelm to the third turn last week and must again set the pace.
Mr Chelm has returned to his very best but must show a little more early speed or he could find himself tight of room. Ballymac Marino ran a fine race in defeat behind Scaglietti last week and is clearly a big player but he must be at his very sharpest in the opening yards.
The fact that all the main dangers to Coolavanny Hoffa are drawn side by side on the inside of the track may work in his favour. If there is any rubbing of shoulders on the inside, Coolavanny Hoffa can take advantage and he is selected to bounce back. He can assert into the turn before going on to lead his rivals home. The Other Kobe has the draw to qualify, while the battle for third could go right to the wire.
DREAM TO OBLIGE
Bobsleigh Dream will trade at short odds in the final heat and, if repeating her latest performance, will be very difficult to contain.
This is a hot enough contest, however, and any errors could see her be forced to pull out all the stops.
Well Met has been in wonderful form and looks the likely pace-setter from four. He is notoriously hard to pass and was beaten just a head by Bobsleigh Dream in the second round when rallying at the finish. He will certainly have support in the ring and can’t be dismissed.
Clonroosk Sydney is one that is likely to go to traps a shorter price than those available during the week. An immensely strong running tracker. He has the perfect draw on the fence, although he must get the better of Bobsleigh Dream into the turn to come out on top.
The same can be said for Undulation and Music Glideaway. Both are very strong, are running well at present and have strong claims of making the frame but need a little luck into and around the opening turn.
One suspects, Bobsleigh Dream will turn close enough to the pace before picking up Well Met and she can claim her place in the semis on the back of another tremendous victory.
DUKE TO REIGN IN PLATE HEATS
The Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate is no less competitive and should provide some thrilling action.
Daleroad Duke has been installed favourite to win the competition and looks the part in the opening heat.
Thomas O’Keeffe’s puppy is rapidly developing into a top-class tracker and he can get first run on his rivals from a trap three draw before going on to claim another impressive success. Optic Chico is the main threat, although he must negotiate a passage around the wide-running Magical Kuba.
EXPECT A GRANDE RUN FROM SOGNA
Clonbrien Ollie has been withdrawn from Heat 2, leaving the selection Sogna In Grande with even more room to race.
With Da Bold Freddie likely to cut inwards from four, Sogna In Grande will have plenty of racing room in the opening yards from trap five and he can assert before containing Gaytime Hugo.
BEEPERS CHOSEN
The same can be said for his kennel mate Beepers Lariat in Heat 3.
The Jack Kennelly trained tracker wears red and, if holding Deadly Showtime into the turn, can lead throughout. the withdrawal of Ballymac Johnjo is a bonus to the selection.
ROCKO TO SLIP CLEAR
Ballymac Run will be favourite to follow up her wonderful opening round success but needs to be at her sharpest in the opening exchanges as there is plenty of early speed in this contest.
Cheque For Sir, Pape Di Oro and Clona Rocko will all go up fast and whichever gets loose could be hard to pick up.
Annagh Bailey is also running well and is respected but slight preference is for Clona Rocko. He is in buoyant form and might have the early dash to slip around in front. Ballymac Run is nominated as the main threat.