RUNNERS APPROACH FINAL HURDLE IN BOYLESPORTS DERBY

Ian Fortune

By its very nature greyhound racing is about winning but, for the twelve sets of connections still involved in the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby, it’s all about qualification with the eyes of the greyhound world on Shelbourne Park this evening.

Tonight’s exceptional card at the famous venue includes the semi-finals of the Derby, which can be viewed live on Virgin Media, and both heats are amongst the best races run at Shelbourne Park this century, such is the quality on show.

Throw in the semi-finals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Plate and the final of the Gourmet Island Puppy Oakas, featuring the incredible Droopys Kathleen, and it’s the best night of racing imaginable.

DIAMOND TO SPARKLE ONCE AGAIN

The Derby is the main course, however, and hot favourite for outright glory is Bockos Diamond.

The stunningly fast son of Dorotas Wildcat takes his place in the opening heat and will be a short price to continue his march through the classic and claim a fourteenth straight win.

This is without doubt his toughest test. The market suggests his kennel companion Bombay Pat and Carrick Aldo are the main dangers but Callaway Knegare, Seven Beach and A Lucky Julie complete an incredible line-up.

Th mere fact that Oaks champion A Lucky Julie is the rank outsider at 25-1 goes to highlight just how strong this field is. But there is no doubt Bockos Diamond is the deserving favourite. Amongst the fastest early paced greyhounds to ever grace the tracks of Ireland, he is again likely to set a searing gallop.

He may be a wide seed drawn in three but doesn’t have the racing line of a true wide runner. In fact, he tends to run the opening turns close to the fence, while steering a middle path for much of the remainder.

The presence of Seven Beach on his immediate inside is a slight concern but he too has run from the inside in the past and is perhaps more likely to go up straighter than any of the remaining wide seeds would have been.

Bombay Pat is wedged between Bockos Diamond and Carrick Aldo. He has incredible pace but his trapping is a worry. If he doesn’t find a start, he could potentially give those on his flanks an advantage and that’s not something he can afford to do.

Callaway Knegare and A Lucky Julie will attempt to pick their way through the pack with both potent finishers but neither can afford to sit too far back. That leaves Carrick Aldo. The former Irish Sprint Cup winner has been in tremendous form, setting the standard last week.

He is likely to go up fast from trap five and could offer the most resistance to Bockos Diamond in the early exchanges.

Despite the quality of opposition, Bockos Diamond is impossible to oppose. Expect another masterclass from the sensational son of Dorotas Wildcat, who is chosen to dominate to see off Carrick Aldo and the fast-finishing Callaway Knegare.

DOLLY DRAWN TO CAUSE THE UPSET

The second heat is also stacked with incredible quality.

Cheap Sandwiches is a worthy favourite after a superb series of runs through the classic but a trap three draw could be an issue. In a career spanning twenty starts, he has never been drawn that close to the fence and was noted moving wide from trap four in the past.

For supporters of March On Freddie, the sole UK raider, the draw is a concern. Drawn on the right shoulder of Cheap Sandwiches, he could find himself short of room in the early yards and will have to find a flying start to clear the favourite or somehow avoid an early bump.

Boylesports Bob is as fast as any greyhound in training. He lines out in five and is clearly capable of mounting a bold bid but this is not a contest where he can afford to make any mistakes in the early yards. He has to find a way to turn close to the pace. In such a scenario he would be a huge player.

Ballinabola Jim wears the stripes and will attract plenty of support. He was brilliant in the early rounds of the classic and is capable of going up fast on the outside of the track. Were he to turn in front it would need something special from one of his rivals to deny him.

But the make-up of this contest could really suit the talented inside duo of Singalong Dolly and Da Bold Falcon. Both are immensely strong and will be motoring from the second turn, making the odds available about each look generous.

Da Bold Falcon, who holds the 600yd track record, will certainly finish fast and could prove tempting for punters at around the 6-1 mark but it’s the 10-1 on offer about Singalong Dolly that really stands out.  

The Cesarewitch winner ran with real purpose in her last two starts, flying from halfway on both occasions. She is drawn on the inside of Da Bold Falcon and may have the early speed to get the better of that rival into the bend. With crowding amongst the outside quartet very possible, she could turn closer to the pace. That could allow her emerge a serious player and she is chosen at big odds to cause an upset, perhaps picking up Cheap Sandwiches in the closing yards.

KING TO RULE IN PLATE

Carmac King was simply brilliant in the second round of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate and he looks set to justify favouritism in tonight’s opening semi-final.

A vacant box on his immediate inside, following the withdrawal of Rushy Meadows, should afford the Owen McKenna trained powerhouse extra room in the early yards and he can chase Knockeen Dazzler into the back straight.

If that were to be the case, he would probably be too strong for his rival and, after his latest 29.05 return, simply has to be selected to follow up. His kennel companion Ventry Faith is well-housed on the fence and is respected but he must reproduce his latest slick exit. Ballyhooly Bruno is running with purpose but needs to find a way to turn close, while Scooby The Boss has loads of foot but he too must sharpen up in the early yards.

MIAMI TO COME OUT ON TOP

The second semi-final could provide plenty of action, both on the track and in the ring.

Tribal Syd has been favourite all week but it would be no surprise to see Miami King join and head him at the top of the market.

The latter also looks a big player in the contest itself. A winner of his last two starts in an identical 29.50, he is set to turn close to the pace. Tribal Syd is the most likely pace-setter but will be vulnerable from the third turn to the line.

Faypoint Harvey flew in the opening round but failed to match that form last week. He would need to hit the ground running from five to come home in front, while Hawkfield Abbie and Benalmadena Puma need to be at their very sharpest in the early yards.

At a big price Elite Josh could run a big race. He ran on strongly behind Miami King last week and could get involved. Tribal Syd can set the pace but Miami King and Elite Josh are chosen to come at him at the business end. Miami King just gets the nod.  

KATHLEEN TO CONTINUE HER UNBEATEN WAYS

Droopys Kathleen has the entire greyhound racing world talking.

The incredible daughter of Droopys Sydney smashed the track record for the 525yd trip last week and will be a red-hot favourite to capture the Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks.

The layers certainly believe the newest sensation in Irish greyhound racing will bring her career tally to five wins from five starts for owner Dylan Browne McMonagle and she is expected to dominate from an ideal draw on the fence.

She was simply otherworldly last week, posting an incredible 27.58, and odds of 1-7 and shorter seem an accurate guide to her chances. The Robert Gleeson trained superstar can produce another flawless to see off her nearest market rival Unanimous Roxy.