MORE STUNNING EFFORTS LIKELY IN JUVENILE

Ian Fortune

The cream of Ireland’s young talent will again be on show at Shelbourne Park this evening with the semi-finals of the TIME Juvenile Derby set to provide some exceptional racing action.

Both semis are packed with real quality and nothing can be taken for granted with a number of potential outcomes very possible in each heat. Hot favourite for outright glory is the incredibly fast Callaway Knegare and the layers will be running scared in the second heat.

KNEGARE IS SPECIAL BUT FACES TOUGH TEST

Callaway Knegare is very special. Few are disputing that, nor the fact that he deserves to be a hot favourite but those taking shorts odds about the brilliant young son of Droopys Sydney should be aware that he will be better in the future when running over more testing trips.

In fact, there is a strong chance he won’t have many more 525yd contests after tonight, and perhaps next week’s final. His immense pace from the second turn is undoubtedly his greatest quality, although he also has a great racing brain, while his latest victory and the manner in which he burst his way through on the opening corner suggests he has a real desire to win.

A trap two draw should be okay but it’s important he clears Boylesports Blue into the turn. If failing to do so, he might just struggle to get past his rival, who has a 27.98 on his card.

On their outside. Fun In the Run is a rapid improver, as highlighted by his second-round success in 28.23. He is likely to go up strongly from three and is far from a forlorn hope despite the opposition. Cheap Sandwiches will also go up well on the outside of the track. It’s imperative he sets the pace into the back straight or h could struggle to even qualify.

Innfield Destiny and Clonfert Annie complete the line up. The former has loads of pace but needs to sharpen up to land a telling blow, while Clonfert Annie has been running extremely well and could again sneak through if doing things right.

Callaway Knegare remains the one to beat, however. He posted 27.98 last week despite taking a couple of bumps on the bend. Few greyhounds have ever gone as fast from the second bend to the line and should he avoid traffic, he is likely to prove too strong. The battle for second and third is absolutely wide open. Boylesports Blue has a kind draw and could turn closer than in recent outings. Fun In the Run is definitely going the right way and can’t be dismissed.

PICKLES THE CHOICE IN INTRIGUING CONTEST

The opening semi-final is no less intriguing.

The contrasting styles of the various participants should make for fascinating viewing with Ballymac Briar, Evolution and Tivoli Milo looking to get of the front while Coosane Pickles and Hello Diego will both finish at speed.

Ballymac Briar went fastest of the six last week, making every inch from the same inside draw to hold Coosane Pickles in a desperately tight finish. The pair are likely to head the betting a week later and much will depend on whether Coosane Pickles can turn enough to the pace.

She is remarkably fast from the second bend and seems certain to be close at the finish. The presence of Evolution is potentially a problem for Ballymac Briar as he is a possible pace-setter. Tivoli Milo is also likely to go up fast from five and would be a tough nut to crack if dictating the pace into the back straight.

Understandably, those that are with any of the early paced trio will glancing back to see how close Coosane Pickles and Hello Diego have turned. Should Ballymac Briar, Evolution and Tivoli Milo go to the bend together, which is very possible, it could set up the race for one of the big finishers.

Slight preference is with Coosane Pickles but this is a contest where no challenger can be ruled out. Ballymac Briar is seen as the main threat.

BOY TO COLLECT PRIZE

There is an impressive €2,500 on offer to the winner of the This Runs Deep A0 (NB) 525.

Rambling Boy was a mighty impressive semi-final scorer, flying into the turn to dictate from the outset. In victory he clocked a rapid 28.13. A repeat of that form would almost certainly be good enough.

Should he fluff his lines, the other impressive semi-final winner Ballymac Deboss and the strapping Sober Secret will be waiting to pick up the pieces.