MORE DRAMA AND SHOCKS LIKELY AS DERBY CONTINUES
Ian Fortune
By the end of this evening’s Shelbourne Park card, the BOYE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby will be down to the final 48.
There were some massive runs and a couple of real shocks in Friday’s opening session of second round heats and it’s perhaps safe to assume we will see more of the same this evening.
There no time for breath this evening with 2024 Derby champion Bockos Diamond back in action in the opening heat of the evening, while each of the seven subsequent heats offer so much in terms of drama and quality. Below is a heat-by-heat guide to tonight’s Derby action which can be viewed live on sisracing.tv.
Heat 9 – DIAMOND IS FOREVER
Bockos Diamond’s legacy is assured.
There is no doubt, his performances in the 2024 were as good as anything seen before or since at Shelbourne Park and he will be forever remembered as an all-time great.
That doesn’t mean he can’t continue to shine at almost four years of age. Indeed, the layers believe the same as he is a red-hot favourite for Heat 9 – the first of the evening.
After a most encouraging opening round effort, when coming home in front of subsequent impressive second round winner Getup The Boy, Bockos Diamond has been installed an odds-on chance to follow up this evening.
Drawn in five, he certainly has plenty in his favour and is fancied to assert in the opening yards before coming home clear. In a contest that seems to lack much early speed, Crossfield Matt is the most obvious danger from a kind draw on the fence but Bockos Diamond is likely to be far too sharp for his rivals.
If the early paced duo make any mistakes, Ballymac Charbel and Ballymac Altobel will be ready to pounce but they do need a little luck.
Heat 10 – CLYDE READY TO STRIKE
Gaytime Clyde did everything but win his opening round assignment.
Showing fine pace and determination, he seemed to make a decisive move on two occasions but was denied by Coloursaregreen.
A week later, he has been rewarded for his efforts with a very manageable test in Heat 10. In a contest short of early speed, Gaytime Clyde is the most likely pace-setter and if he were to get loose it would need something special from one of his rivals to pick him up.
Skywalker Bruno and Miami Hans are seen as the main dangers in the market but there is a strong chance that dup could clash in the early yards. Skywalker Bruno is now an inside seed but may edge off an inside line, potentially into Miami Hans in two. Either can challenge if avoiding traffic but Gaytime Clyde is a relatively strong selection.
Heat 11 – BIG GUNS CLASH
Heat 11 is perhaps the hottest of the round.
No fewer than four opening round heat winners will line out here, while the favourite is Ballycowen Frank, who bids to atone for his odds-on, opening round defeat.
The draw is in favour of Ballycowen Frank but such is the quality on show that only his best will suffice. Liam Dowling has a strong hand with his two lying females, Champion Stakes winner Ballymac Kamala and Champion Plate winner Ballymac Gwennie, both greatly respected.
Throw in impressive opening round scorers Hackney Dancer and Oriental King and this should be an unmissable contest. So much will come down to the early yards. Michael O’Donovan will be hoping that his duo, Ballycowen Frank and Hackney Dancer can avoid each other in the early yards.
The latter went up fast last week and stayed tight to the fence around the corner. That’s a potential problem for Ballycowen Frank.
In contrast, it could work in favour of Ballymac Kamala. She was workmanlike in the opening round but is capable of so much better. If producing one of her famed fast starts, she could set a searing gallop and is just chosen to come home in front.
The powerful Oriental King is also respected. He produced a stunning run to win his opening round assignment and would be a big player of finding a way to turn close, while Ballymac Gwennie will also have plenty of support although she needs another fast start to turn close.
Heat 12 – FAR FROM HANDY FOR SLEIGHT
Sleight Of Hand was a revelation in the opening round, landing some hefty wagers as he posted a stunning joint fastest of the round 29.10.
He has again been handed the red jacket and will be a hot favourite to follow up in Heat 12, although he will need to be on his toes in the early yards.
Carrigeen Whit and Amidus Hulk are drawn on his right and both are capable of going up fast, while Harvard Square is also expected to go up fast from five. Ballyhooly Cliff is perhaps the main danger, however. With Harvard Square certain to edge inwards, Ballyhooly Cliff will have the room of Shelbourne Park in the early exchanges and could put himself into a challenging position.
But Sleight Of Hand was so good last week that it’s difficult to oppose him. He is young, progressive and very talented. For that reason, he is chosen to hold his pitch into the bend before moving on down the back straight.
Heat 13 – HERE TO MAKE A SPLASH
Puppy Derby champion Im Here missed the start and suffered an odds-on defeat in the opening round yet he still managed to enhance his Derby claims with an eye-catching run behind subsequent second round winner Low Profile.
Showing massive pace and clever track craft, he recovered to safely qualify in second. A week on, he can go one better if starting on terms. There is no doubt, the 550yd trip is ideal for the Peter Cronin trained star and he can race prominently into the bend before showing his undoubted class from the second turn.
Coloursaregreen is a worthy adversary. He simply wouldn’t be denied in the opening round, twice coming back at Gaytime Clyde to land the spoils. He has really taken to the Derby trip and can race prominently from the start. Glengar Phantom is an accident waiting to happen. He has untold pace and would become a big player of finding a slick exit from five. Razldazl Thelma is best drawn onj the remainder in one and will stay on well.
Heat 14 – STAR TO CHASE DOWN MONK
Waitingforastar and Droopy Monk will dominate the market in Heat 14.
The pair clashed in the weeks ahead of the Derby with the former coming home in front despite being forced to check his stride on more than one occasion.
On the strength of that run and his superb opening round effort, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Waitingforastar is set to start a hot favourite again. Droopys Monk has stunning early speed and is the likely pace-setter but the 550yds certainly stretches his stamina.
In contrast, Waitingforastar relishes the extra yards and would likely stay even further. It’s set up for another catch me if you can scenario but Waitingforastar can prove too strong for his rival. It’s difficult to see past the big two, although Kilwest Major would have to be respected if producing his best Puppy Derby form.
Heat 15 – LOREAL CAN SHINE IN STRIPES
Razldazl Loreal now races as a middle seed and, perhaps unluckily, has been handed the stripes in Heat 15.
However, she is taken to overcome the draw and further enhance her growing reputation. She produced a big effort behind Ballymac Gwennie last weekend and has the pace and power to go one better this evening.
Ballymac Cmax enjoys the best of the draw on the fence and boasts a similar profile to Razldazl Loreal. Both are young, improving types with plenty more to come. With the strong-running Timmys Bucks and Barntick Bucko drawn in two and three, Ballymac Cmaxcan secure a prominent position into the turn and find herself right in the mix.
Croydon Avenger is unlikely to be short of support either. He hasn't been overly fortunate with the draw, but a lively start could give him the chance to cut across the aforementioned strong-running pair and get himself involved.
Cracking Cody is drawn in five and looks certain to go off at a big price. He is a slight concern for Razldazl Loreal, particularly if he gets a clear run into the turn, but the selection is still taken to overcome the wide draw and land the spoils.
Heat 16 – JAMES CAN TAKE OFF
Wi Can James is set to start the hottest favourite of the round in Heat 16 after both the Other Eimear and Miami Hyland were withdrawn from the classic.
It means that Wi Can James will have a vacant box on either side of him in trap two.
If trapping on terms, the Pat Guilfoyle trained star can quickly show his class. A winner in 27.88 in the early rounds of the Puppy Derby, his pace is not in question and after an eye-catching opening round effort behind Sleight Of Hand last week, he is ready to go quick again.
Droopys Winsome, Sawdust Barry and Mill Willow take on the brilliant son of Ballymac Cashout and each are capable of running well but the pure pace of Wi Can James is likely to make the difference.