MORE DRAMA LIKELY AS DERBY FIELD HALVED FOR FINAL TIME
Ian Fortune
Tonight, more than at any other stage of the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby, it is simply about survival.
Twelve of the fastest greyhounds on the planet remain, but only six will earn their place on the biggest stage of all in world greyhound racing.
Anyone connected to those twelve contenders would take third spot now. A place in the Derby final at the famous Shelbourne Park is all that matters, with everything else secondary.
Bouncing Monarch is, of course, the hot favourite for Derby glory and an even hotter favourite to emerge on top in tonight’s second semi-final. But greyhound racing by its very nature is unpredictable and nothing is guaranteed.
And that sense of uncertainty is particularly strong in tonight’s opening semi-final. Waitingforastar is the favourite but a real case can be made for each of his five competitors. Indeed, the more you study the form, the more difficult it is to decipher.
AVENGER DRAWN TO MOUNT A BOLD BID
There’s no doubt that each of the six greyhounds in the opening heat are capable of producing the goods on any given night.
Such is the quality on show, Bockos Gold, who has gone faster than any greyhound this year over the 550yd trip, is the outsider of the party.
He posted 29.07 in a contest ahead of the Derby and were he to do so again, the 10-1 on offer would look criminally big. But there is no getting away from the fact that he has drawn trap five, has been easing slightly into the turn, and will need more than a bit of luck on the corner.
But reasons can also be found to oppose the favourite, Waitingforastar. There is no doubt he is amongst the fastest greyhounds on the planet but if he is to win, he will probably have to do so the hard way.
The Pat Guilfoyle trained star has stunning pace and power but his weakness is there for all to see. He simply isn’t sharp enough into the bend. Should he fail to turn close, he could find himself with a lot of fast greyhounds to pass to qualify, let alone win.
Coloursaregreen is running his heart out at present for Paul Hennessy and is respected from two, as is Puppy Derby champion Im Here from a wide draw. If either are to come out on top, they may need to force their way to the front before the third turn. That is possible but there is zero room for error.
Hackney Dancer has been second favourite for the race all week, but one suspects he may start a bigger price tonight from a tough draw in four. He certainly has the early speed to race prominently but can he clear those on his inner. If failing to do so, he could find himself with a mountain to climb.
That leaves us with Croydon Avenger. A superb winner from the insider draw last week, his followers will be delighted to see him handed the red jacket again. A single swallow doesn’t make a summer, although his latest effort is obviously hugely encouraging.
Of the six greyhounds, he has least to worry about. From one, he need only concentrate on getting to the turn as quickly as possible. There will be no greyhound on his inner and should he secure the inside pitch on the corner, he could find himself in front by the time they straighten up into the back straight.
It’s for that reason he is chosen to come out on top but nothing can be taken for granted in a race of this nature. Of all the many possible outcomes, we have sided with Croydon Avenger to see off Waitingforastar and Coloursaregreen, although it would be no shock to see the remaining trio finish first, second and third, such is the open nature of this contest.
ANOTHER MASTERFUL DISPLAY LIKELY FROM MONARCH
Bouncing Monarch is understandably a hot favourite to land the second semi for Dave Fradgley and Michael O’Donovan.
His progress to this point has been without friction. Electric at traps and into the turn, he hasn’t seen a rival and many will feel it will be a similar scenario this evening.
But rarely do things some easy in a Derby semi-final and the Kirby Memorial champ may need to be at his very best yet again. Of his five talented rivals this evening, Wi Can James is the clear and obvious threat.
Blessed with incredible pace and power, he has been handed an ideal draw on the fence and is more than capable of going close. He overcame plenty of traffic in his quarter final defeat, highlighting his willing attitude and his many followers will be hoping a switch to the inside of the track can make the difference. If starting on terms, have no doubt, he is fast enough to go close.
Drawn between Wi Can James and Bouncing Monarch are the talented duo of Sleight Of Hand and Low Profile. Both won their quarter finals in fine style. Sleight Of Hand charged through a narrow gap at the third turn before containing a rallying Hackney Dancer. Low Profile was even more impressive, flashing from traps to make all.
Both greyhounds will need to be at their very sharpest this evening. For Sleight Of Hand to emerge on top, he must clear Wi Can James, while also containing Bouncing Monarch. Neither of those two things are easy.
Low Profile has the added pressure of also needing to clear Sleight Of Hand before even thinking about getting the better of the big two in the market. That will require the fastest start of his career.
Glengar Phantom and Priceless Romeo complete the line-up. Both are available at huge prices but there is a realistic opportunity for one of the pair to progress.
Glengar Phantom has shown already that he has the early speed to contend with the best. He must be at his very sharpest but will have room to race from five. Meanwhile, after a massive run behind Bouncing Monarch in the quarter finals, Priceless Romeo will again hope to pick up the pieces.
It really is a wonderful contest but there is no denying that Bouncing Monarch is the one to beat. It has all looked so very easy for the brilliant son of Deerjet Sydney to this point. His price reflects his chance. With another of his trademark fast starts, he can secure pole position into the bend. That could be enough to secure yet another impressive success. But Wi Can James is a serious threat. Expect the powerful tracker to make a bold bid. As for the battle for third, if things go as planned for the big two, room could be at a premium for Sleight Of Hand and Low Profile. That could leave the door open for the Glengar Phantom or Priceless Romeo. The best of luck to all involved in the semi-finals.
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Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate
ALL EYES ON BALLYMAC DUO IN PLATE
Ballymac Deniro and Ballymac Setanta are likely to start hot favourite to win their respective semi-finals in the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate.
Ballymac Deniro has been simmering along in recent weeks but one suspects he has another gear.
DENIRO CAN PLAY A STARRING ROLE
From trap five, he will need to come away on terms but if doing so, may just have too much ammunition for his rivals.
Swords Style is a real pro and has returned to his best in the past fortnight. He is certain to go up fast from four but he would find himself under severe pressure if Ballymac Deniro turns close.
Aulton Cash and Droichead Nua are also capable of going up well but if either are to cause a surprise, they must dictate the pace into the back straight. Coolemount Fame is sure to finish at speed and Ballyhooly Cliff has the all-round pace to make the frame but it’s hard to get away from Ballymac Deniro and Swords Style.
Ballymac Deniro can turn right on the speed to assert before halfway. Swords Style and Ballyhooly Cliff can follow him home.
SETANTA LOOKS THE PART
Ballymac Setanta has been rewarded for two faultless displays in the early rounds with an ideal draw on the fence in the second semi-final.
Blessed with the most wonderful pace throughout, he will be difficult to stop if coming away on terms.
Obviously, the rapidly improving Roaming Shelby is entitled to plenty of respect after a superb second round success. He is set for a big career and will no doubt challenge for major honours in the future but this is a tough test.
Should he fail to get to the front early, it’s unlikely he will worry Ballymac Setanta but remains the main danger. Oriental King is certain to finish at speed and is more than capable of making the frame, while Grouchos Frank, Ballyhooly Bruno and Mydras Opinion are all very strong and will be waiting to pounce should any of the big three make any mistakes.
Ballymac Setanta remains the one to beat, however. From an ideal draw on the fence, he is chosen to assert into the bend before going on to see off Roaming Shelby and Oriental King.
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