A JUVENILE DERBY DECIDER TO SAVOUR
Ian Fortune
Ireland’s latest classic winner will be crowned at Shelbourne Park this evening as the TIME Juvenile Derby comes to a conclusion.
As you would expect from this wonderful competition, there is a final line-up bursting with quality and there are many possible outcomes.
PEST WILL AIM TO SWAT AWAY RIVALS
Favourite for glory and the €25,000 prize is Rural pest after two paw-perfect displays in the past fortnight.
Owned by Emily and Helen O’Dwyer, the son of Pestana has really comes into his own in recent weeks, showing real drive and power to post some stunning times.
It has long been evident he had a huge engine and seemed set to be a star over 575 and 600yds but his ability to launch himself from traps and get to the turn in front has opened up all doors for the brilliant brindle and he must now be seen as one of the very best in training.
Of course, his handler Graham Holland has won the Juvenile Derby in the past with Clona Duke in 2022 and he will be hoping Rural Pest can produce one more flying exit to dictate the pace into the turn. If doing so, he would prove nearly impossible to catch.
TIBET AIMING TO REACH THE SUMMIT
But this is far from a one-dog affair.
Liam Dowling is also hunting a second Juvenile Derby title with his Champion Plate winner Ballymac Tibet. It is ten years since Dowling landed the classic in 2015 with Anopheles and he will feel he is due another after going close on more than one occasion in the intervening years.
Ballymac Tibet, like the favourite, also seemed destined to be a star over further but he has certainly matured and is showing far more dash in the early yards than at the beginning of his career. Indeed, twice in the classic he has set the pace around the corner and those staying loyal to the exceptionally fast son of Ballymac Best will pray he can do so again. Given his immense strength and power, he too would be almost impossible to pick up if getting his own way up front.
STAY FAITHFUL TO DROOPYS
Droopys Faithful is the least experienced runner in the field with just four starts under her belt but yet she has shown enough to suggest she will be a superstar in the future.
Despite her inexperience, she has shown a wonderful racing brain, massive pace and the right attitude.
As we speak the only thing missing is her ability to put herself right into the mix with a fast start. That does seem likely to come, however. The question is, will it come this evening? Daniel O’Rahilly’s star is drawn in four and continues to catch the eye.
But if she is to win this evening and double her career tally after a mighty impressive debut success early last month, she needs to hit the ground running. If doing so, the odds available about the incredibly promising daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Curio would prove too great. Don’t be surprised if this lady shows the boys how it is done.
KING SEARCHING FOR A FAST START TO RULE
After winning the 2023 renewal with the brilliant Droopys Flytline, Robert Gleeson will bid to double up with Toolmaker King.
A tremendous winner of the Denis Linehan Solicitors open Unraced at Cork, he has yet to win in Dublin but has shown enough to suggest he could play a big part.
He seemed to tire from the third turn last week and may need to set the pace to triumph but that is a possibility. He wears the white jacket tonight and his many supporters will hope he can catapult from boxes. While he remains a maiden in Dublin, we could see a very different dog if he were to find himself on the bunny.
LEO AIMS TO HAND BUCKLEY WIN NUMBER FOUR
Unanimous Leo represents the successful pairing of Ciaran O’Sullivan and Pat Buckley.
The latter is no stranger to Juvenile Derby success with three wins in the past. Whether Unanimous Leo can follow in the footsteps of Droopys Noel, Tullymurry Act or Droopys Wilbury has to be seen but in his previous appearance in a major final, he emerged a superb winner of the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny.
On that occasion, he was too sharp for his rivals in the opening yards and went on to dominate from start to finish. He has yet to win a round of the competition but produced his best run in last week’s semi-finals, finishing just three and a half lengths behind Rural Pest.
There is certainly hope for those involved in the son of Glengar Bale. Indeed, if he repeat’s last week’s 2.02 sectional, there is a strong chance he will finally manage to turn in front. That would pave the way for a serious challenge from a greyhound who won’t turn two until October.
THE BOY NO BACK MARKER
That leaves just Getup The Boy and it seems plenty are sleeping on this won of Ballymac Cashout.
He is the sole maiden in the contest but it’s worth pointing out he has never finished out of the first three. Under the care oft Derby wining handler Mark Robinson, Getup The Boy has caught the eye on more than one occasion. There is certainly an avenue to success for the youngest runner in the final. In fact, he is the sole 2024 whelp and is of course open to much more improvement.
He displayed all sorts of pace in the semi-final. After encountering early crowding, he found himself a mile off the pace but really took off from halfway. Cutting through the pack, he chased home Ballymac Tibet to earn a deserving spot in the final. He may be double figure odds but do not be surprised if he has a big say in the outcome. It’s clear from the evidence that he is only starting to scratch the surface and value hunters could do far worse than have a small interest bet on Getup The Boy.
A VINTAGE FINAL
It's a vintage renewal of the Juvenile Derby and the final should provide a fitting conclusion.
As you would expect in this famous competition, there are greyhounds more advanced than some but there is huge promise in each of the six finalists.
Rural Pest is a worthy favourite and will take some stopping if producing another 2.00 sectional but any mistakes would throw the contest wide open. Ballymac Tibet is a clear danger but none of the remaining quartet can be ruled out. The vote goes to Rural Pest ahead of Ballymac Tibet but, in reality, this is probably a contest to watch and enjoy rather than get too financially involved. The best of luck to all and may they all come home safe.
Undercard action
STUD TO GAIN CONSOLATION
Ballymac Stud may have come up short in his Juvenile Derby challenge but he can gain compensation in the consolation final.
Drawn on the fence, he can make his early speed count to contain the likes of his kennel companion Solo And Go and the rapidly progressive Zenith Mikmacker into the turn.
Another kennel companion Ballymac Lake is respected, despite a tough draw, but if turning in front, it is hard to see Ballymac Stud surrendering his advantage. He is selected to lead home Ballymac Lake and Zenith Mikmacker.
RALLYING MAC TO PROVE TOO STRONG
There’s €2,000 on offer in the final of the All New TIME Greyhound 18 A1 525 and Rallying Mac is chosen to come home in front after a power-packed semi-final display.
The Neilus O’Connell trained pup was off the pace early but really did fly from the third turn to emerge a good winner. He will again be hard to contain if turning any way close. Harry Houdini is a danger from an ideal draw on the fence, while Coretime Tom can also get involved if repeating his fine semi-final form.
TOM TO CUT A DASH IN DUAL DISTANCE
Dashing Tom can follow up his impressive semi-final victory in the final of the €2,000 TIME Greyhound 28 A2 Dual Distance over 600yds.
A fine winner last week over the 575yd trip in 31.21, he seems likely to race prominently from the outset and will be difficult to contain if getting a clear passage. Boyne Road is nominated as the main danger, although none can be ruled out.