DERBY FIELD TO BE HALVED FOR THE FINAL TIME
Ian Fortune
For the last time in this year’s BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby, the field will be halved at Shelbourne Park this evening with a place in the final up for grabs.
The semi-finals of the blue riband are very much the feature and those involved in any of the remaining twelve would take your hand off for a third-place finish right now.
The beauty of greyhound racing is often it’s unpredictabilityand anything is possible in each of the two semis. Cheap Sandwiches remains the one to beat in the classic and his connections will be hoping he can repeat his flawless display in last year’s semi-finals.
He will be a short price to come through his test, despite facing some exceptional rivals in the opening heat. Magical Mag is a warm favourite for the second heat but needs to be at her very sharpest with so many of her rivals capable of going close.
SANDWICHES TO REPEAT HIS 2024 SEMI-FINAL SUCCESS
Of course, Cheap Sandwiches has the benefit of racing in a BOYLE Sports Derby semi-final in the past, producing a career best 29.13 success on the corresponding night in 2024.
He has been drawn in the stripes and will be difficult to contain to the bend with most of his rivals edging left in the opening exchanges.
Should Cheap Sandwiches break on terms, he could quickly assume control on the outside of the track. Certainly, if turning in front he would be near impossible to reel in.
But standing in his way are some serious performers including the pride of the UK, Proper Heiress. The latter remains unbeaten in the classic and will have plenty of support despite a tough draw in the orange of five.
If he is to land a telling blow, he will need to be at his sharpest in the early yards. He does have the habit of overcoming tricky draws but this is arguably his greatest test with the Mark Wallis trained star in need of a his very fastest start.
If he were to turn in the qualifying spots, he would have the speed and strength to maintain his position but so much will come down to the start.
Drawn on his inner are brilliant youngsters Ballymac Stud and Singalong Curly in traps three and four. Both are capable of flying to the corner and have wonderful pace throughout. Singalong Curly, in particular, will need to fly from boxes to put himself in contention from four. A half brother to 2024 finalist Singalong Dolly, he looks a serious prospect for 2026 but his owner Gilbert Anderson and handler Pat Buckley will be hoping he can belie his inexperience by progressing to the final.
Ballymac Stud has really come into his own through this Derby campaign. The joint youngest competitor left in the classic, he has the all the qualities needed to be a Derby champion. Capable of a flying start, he has both the early speed and back straight pace to compete with the best in training and won’t be shy of support. Much like Proper Heiress, he will need to be at his sharpest at boxes but is nominated as the main threat to the favourite.
On the inside of the track are the two outsiders Oreo Ollie and Barefoot On Song. Both are available at big prices but neither can be ignored. Oreo Ollie has tremendous early speed and is more than capable of racing prominently. His mere presence is a concern for those in need of an early advantage.
Barefoot On Song is a very natural starter and she too could race prominently in the early yards. If she is to have a say, she must clear Oreo Ollie in the opening yards.
It’s a wonderful contest but Cheap Sandwiches I a worthy and deserving favourite. With a level start, he would likely assert into the corner and that seems the most likely outcome. He is chosen to come home in front of Ballymac Stud and Proper Heiress although it would be no surprise to see any of the remainder progressing.
GLENGAR TO SILENT RIVALS
The second heat is even more competitive, although Magical Mag has built up a legion of supporters in recent weeks and is likely to start a warm favourite from three.
See drifted off the fence last week and tonight’s draw should be ideal.
A very natural starter, she is likely to hit the front at trap rise. A winner of each of her last three starts, she would be difficult to pick up if getting off the front but this is a Derby semi-final and each of her five rivals would be dangerous if turning close.
Of her rivals, Glengar Silent is the one with the highest ceiling. Blessed with incredible pace, he has been so impressive through the classic establishing himself as one of the most exciting young trackers in training.
If he were to get a clear run around the opening bends, he would quickly become a the one to beat with his pace from the second turn something to behold.
Ballyhooly Bruno is already a classic winner after landing the Shelbourne Open 600 earlier in the year and he returned to winning ways in the quarter finals. He seems to be strengthening up through the competition and is respected from trap two, although he will need to quickly better Happy Jet in the early yards to turn close enough to threaten.
Happy Jet has been much sharper at traps in recent weeks and can’t be dismissed from an ideal draw on the fence although he will need another good start to put himself into contention.
That leaves Callaway Five and Droopy Deploy to complete the field. The former has plenty of ability but has a bit to find on the clock. He will need a career best effort from trap four if he is to progress. Many expect Droopy Deploy to claim a place in the decider.
As the sole wide seed, a stripes draw should aid his cause. He has produced a series of big finishes to get this far and his many followers will be hoping he can again make the frame.
Magical Mag is the most likely pace-setter and is a worthy favourite but one suspects Glengar Silent could turn a little closer in this contest. If doing so, he could potentially unleash a decisive move down the back straight. He is chosen to pick up Magical Mag. The battle for third could go right down to the wire.
HOT FAVOURITES IN PLATE SEMIS
The feature of the undercard at Shelbourne Park are the semi-finals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Plate and there will be hot favourites in both heats.
Magical Major and Carrick Scholsey will be very short in their respective assignments and it would be something of a shock if either were beaten.
SCHOLSEY TO STRIKE
Carrick Scholsey was already seen as the one to beat in the opening heat but his task has become somewhat easier with the withdrawal of Easter Cup champion Hopes Teddy.
With little early speed on his inner, Carrick Scholsey can assert into the opening turn from trap five before coming home clear.
He ran a remarkable race last week, overcoming bad traffic on the turn to finish third and all evidence would suggest he is ready to go fast. Grouchos Hoffa, from an ideal draw in the six, is seen as the main danger to Carrick Scholsey.
MAJOR TO KEEP RIVALS IN LINE
Magical Major is drawn in two in the second heat and could find himself with room to race with Harlequin Gee Up expected to step right from three.
If avoiding a bump from the fast-starting Southwood Stan, Magical Major could soon find himself challenging for the early lead.
Sunshine Sioux is seen as the main threat but avoiding Harlequin Gee Up is imperative. Ballymac Axel impressed in the second round and is entitled to respect but Magical Major has plenty in his favour and is chosen to produce a massive run to further cement his status as one of the fastest and most exciting trackers in training.