TALKING DOGS 600 DECIDER HEADS A FANTASTIC CARD AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

After some hotly competitive action over the past number of weeks, the final of the Talking Dogs A3/A4 600 goes down for decision at Limerick Greyhound Stadium later tonight several have strong chances of landing the €1,550 first prize.

The likes of Millrose Brandy, Hyde Park and Beaming Becca have all landed the headlines at some stage throughout the stake and given the make-up of the decider, connections of all will be hopeful heading into the event. Indeed, the aforementioned Beaming Becca represents local owner Corona Ryan, and she holds the mantle of clocking the fastest time in the stake thus far. The daughter of Droopys Sydney has a little bit of everything; she has early pace while stays a stiff 700 yards and that alone suggests she will be bang in contention come 9.40pm tonight. Running from trap four, Beaming Becca has a lot of early pace on her inside but should she get first run, she will prove difficult to peg back. The evergreen Millrose Brandy is very well drawn in trap one and Ger Cremin will hope his 84th start will see his return to winning ways. The exceptional fawn and white rarely runs a bad race and he still maintains plenty of ability, as shown when winning rounds one and two when clocking 33.26 and 33.07 respectively. That said, he will have to lead on the fence, which is easier said than done. Hyde Park is on his immediate outside in trap two and the son of Laughil Blake is another who has produced excellent performances to date. Jointly owned by Marie McDonnell and Mark Geraghty, Hyde Park was collared late by Four Bullets last time out but his sectionals suggest he is the likely leader on the inside and if turning in front, he could build up ahead of steam with the likelihood of some of the big finishers getting held up in behind. The aforementioned Four Bullets sprung a 6/1 shock in the semis when reeling in Hyde Park and Gerald O’Connell’s runner is another who can have a big say. The most inexperienced runner has just five starts under his belt so has the most scope for improvement and anything that resembles his 32.87 clock from last weekend will likely be enough this time around. Drawn in six, the son of Bull Run Bolt will be finishing fast and he could be the best drawn dog in the race given the early pace on his inner. The remaining two finalists are Ballygur Bale and Coolavanny Bliss, both of which are very useful types. The former in particular only went down by one and a half lengths behind Beaming Becca last weekend and will be hopeful of making the frame, while Coolavanny Bliss is another who will be finishing at a rate of knots and will look to benefit on any possible traffic early doors.

STRONG SUPPORT CARD

As the norm, Limerick have put on another strong card for a Saturday night and race five in particular, an Open Novice 525, will have plenty of eyes on it.

This contest has no shortage of hugely talented youngsters taking part and none more so than the Dolores Ruth-trained, Boylesports Dazl, in trap two. Owned of course by John Boyle, this July pup has clocked 28.43 and 28.54 in qualifying which suggests he is more than capable of kick-starting an illustrious career in style later tonight. However, he may not get things all his own way with the likes of Ballymac Seanie in trap one. Liam Dowling’s son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Natalie clocked an slick 17.57 in his latest trial at Tralee and he is another to keep an eye on in this contest.

Elsewhere on the card, race seven is an AA0 525 and Salmic Fitz makes his return after impressive in his latest starts at Clonmel. Trained by Patrick Guilfoyle, the son of Slippy Cian was flawless throughout a recent A2 stake at the Suirside venue and although this is much tougher, he showed more than enough to suggest he can make the step up. The likes of Singalong Eimear and Raining Glory are likely to have a say however. The former won just her second start in a red hot 28.22 around Drumbo Park and her recent trial around Thurles Park, when clocking an estimate of 28.87, is more than encouraging.

The final race on the card will see the return of Juvenile Classic winner and last year’s Leger finalist, Wi Can Dream. The explosive brindle will hope to bounce back from a couple of defeats around Tralee in his latest starts and he looks well-drawn in trap three to do so if trapping on terms. Of his main dangers, Ballymac Johnjoe fits the bill. Liam Dowling’s son of Ballymac Anton is an absolute flying machine from halfway and he looks certain to go close with a clear passage. Of the others, Glengar Bridie won her novice contest in 28.41 but she will take a monstrous step up in class when donning the black jacket later tonight and it will be interesting to see how she fairs against this class of opposition.