EXPECT A BRIGHT START TO THE BOYLE SPORTS DERBY
Ian Fortune
The journey to September 27th and potential Derby glory gets underway at Shelbourne Park this evening.
144 of Ireland and the UK’s fastest will journey to the famous Ringsend venue with their owners, breeders, trainers dreaming of landing the greatest prize in world greyhound racing.
With four to qualify from each of the 24 opening round heats, there is a little comfort for those taking their chance but it safe to expect a few big names to make their exit.
Of course, the greyhound that will attract most attention is Bockos Diamond, who bids to become just the second greyhound in history to defend his Derby crown after the legendary Spanish Battleship achieved the feat twice back in the 1950s.
Bockos Diamond is a deserving favourite and were he to defend his crown, he would hand his trainer Graham Holland a fifth Irish Derby title making his the most successful trainer in the history of the classic. Now that would be very special.
The best of luck to all with a runner in the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby. May they all come off the track safe and sound and here’s to the most incredible five weeks of canine action at the home of greyhound racing.
SANDWICHES TO SHOW HIS CLASS
Cheap Sandwiches has been one of the undoubted stars of the past year, finishing runner-up in the Derby last year and reaching the final of the English Derby.
He suffered a shock reversal in his latest outing but will be a very short price to get his Derby campiagn off to a winning start in Heat 1.
Standing in his way this evening is the Leger runner-up Flight Club and the talented duo of Darraghs Sydney and Ballyhimikin Rio. There could be quite a battle for the minor places but Cheap Sabdwiches is chosen to give Graham Holland a perfect start to the Derby by dominating from the early yards.
SNAZZY TO BOSS AFFAIRS
The second heat is a far more competitive affair with little chance of an odds-on favourite.
In fact, there could be a battle for favouritism with Toolmaker Josepe, Lennies Madge and Snazzy Boss expected to atttract support.
Of the trio, Snazzy Boss has the best early speed and that could make the difference. Have no doubt, both Toolmaker Josepe and Lennies Madge will finish fast but Snazzy Boss is no slouch and he is another chosen to emerge on top for Graham Holland. Drawn in the stripes, he will habve room to race in the early yards and is selected to make all before containing the late charge of Lennies Madge and Toolmaker Josepe.
PATRIOT TO FIRE
Heat 3 is a stacked affair with most of the field proven at the highest level.
Produce Stakes champion Lemon Joey will have support, as will the consistent Faypoint Harvey and Westway Rossa but Droopys Patriot has come for strong support in the ante-post market after finishing second in the Irish Sprint Cup and the support can prove inspired.
Blessed with awesome speed to the third turn, he can make full use of the long run to the turn to go to the front. While he has been taking a stride for himself at the turn in Dundalk, the switch to Shelbourne could make all the difference and he can make all to lead home Faypoint Harvey and Lemon Joey.
THE OTHER TO RUN WILD
The bookends will dominate the betting in Heat 4.
Cheque For Cash races in the red jacket with The Other Wild drawn in the stripes. Both are sharp at traps, both have fine early speed and both would be hard to reel in if getting loose.
Th remaining runners aren’t short on talent either but one suspects it could come down to a straight shootout between Cheque For Cash and The Other Wild. The latter recently returned from a layoff to win in fine style before finding traffic in his most recent outing but he has shown enough to suggest he is going to return to his very best in the near future.
He looked a potential star earlier in the year, winning in the Rural Kennels Open Unraced at Clonmel and is selected to begin his Derby challenge with a success. Cheque For Cash and In Good Time can chase him home.
DIAMOND TO SHINE BRIGHT
The reigning Derby champion Bockos Diamond returns to action for the first time since finishing runner-up in the English Derby in June.
One of the most sensational Derby champions of all time late last year, he will understandably start a short-priced favourite although its possible he will be available at a bigger price than some expect with his recent trials under scrutiny.
Don’t be fooled by a couple of slightly below par efforts from the brilliant son of Dorotas Wildcat. There is every chance Bocko Diamond will return to his very best and blow his rivals away.
These rivals include the recent Maiden Derby winner Shanahee Boomer, the hugely talented Epic Ace and the promising Ballymac Lake. All three have the ability to go deep in the Derby but don’t be fooled into thinking they can match Bockos Diamond if he puts his best foot forward.
In short, keep faith in Bockos Diamond. He can show his astounding early speed to get loose into the turn before burning off his rivals into the third turn. Shanahee Boomer and Epic Ace can chase him home.
BOMPAY PAT TO SHOW HIS CLASS
If all had gone to plan in the opening five heats, Bombay Pat could potentially be seeking to provide Graham Holland with a fourth winner in the opening six heats when he lines out in the orange jacket of five in Heat 6.
Amongst the very best in training over the past year, he recently displayed his well-being when emerging a superb winner over the Derby trip in 29.32. On that level of form he will be very difficult to stop.
Hello Diego is very strong and will finish fast, while Toolmaker King is set to offer the most resistance to Bombay Pat in the early yards. Southwood Stan can also go up fast but will need to be at his very best to land a blow.
Bombay Pat has awesome pace and can use it to great effect, turning close before moving to the front before the third turn. Toolmaker King can emerge as the greatest threat from four.
HEIRESS AND JOE CLASH
Proper Heiress is perhaps the most interesting runner in the Derby.
Representing fifteen-time champion trainer in the UK Mark Wallis, he makes his Irish return in Heat 7 where he will be amongst the favourites alongside Ballinabola Joe.
Throw in Sunshine Sioux, Phoenix Memphis and Fun Inthe Run and it is quite a contest. Much will depend on the opening exchanges. For supporters of Proper Heiress, the presence of Phoenix Memphis in three is a concern.
A fast starter than edges inwards, Phoenix Memphis could possibly leave Proper Heiress short of room. That is why the vote goes to the Champion 550 winner Ballinabola Joe. He has astounding pace to the third turn when on song and is ideally drawn to get loose in the opening exchanges. He can lead home Proper Heiress and the strong running Sunshine Sioux.
LAHDEDAH WITH THE DRAW
De Lahdedah has been nothing short of brilliant throughout his career.
As a raw youngster he was a Derby semi-finalist only to suffer bad luck. He would capture the English Derby the following summer before returning to Towcester this year where he again reached the final. running a huge race in defeat.
Tonight, he returns to racing action and will be a warm favourite to win Heat 8 from an ideal draw on the fence. With a fast start h could quickly emerge as the one to beat but this is no straightforward task with some hugely talented rivals in opposition. These include his fellow English Derby finalist Sole Mio, Shelbourne 600 champion Ballyhooly Bruno, the brilliant Coosane Pickles and Oreo Ollie.
It is a tremendous contest, perhaps the best of the round but De Lahdedah remains a potent force and he can lead home Sole Mio and Ballyhooly Bruno to begin another Derby campaign on the back of a victory.
BEACH READY TO ROCK
In a year when he captured the Champion Stakes, Race of Champions, Select Stakes and Gold Cup, Seven Beach is expected to start one of the hottest favourites of the opening round in Heat 9.
The brilliant tracker has twice reached the semi-finals of the Derby and his legion of supporters will again believe he can go at least that far again. Expect the near veteran to dominate from the outset this evening. He can lead home impressive Puppy Oaks winner Shebetheone.
PUPPIES SET TO SHINE
The pups will dominate the market ahead of Heat 10 with Droopys Slick, Betgoodwin Ben and Lookandlep all expected to play a big part.
Slight preference is for the duo on the outside of the track, Betgoodwin Ben and Droopys Slick.
The first named looked a real prospect around Enniscorthy, posting a sizzling 28.58 on debut. He moved well in recent trials at Shelbourne and is a leading fancy but Droopys Slick has also shown huge promise albeit he remains a maiden.
He is drawn on the inside of Betgoodwin Ben in five and that could make the difference. If starting on terms, he could get first run on his rival and that can prove decisive. The Robert Gleeson trained youngster can come home clear for the first time in his career.
HACKNEY TO TAKE THE CORNER
Heat 11 is another packed with quality.
Bubbly Charger ran with real credit in the English Derby, backing up his Kirby Memorial efforts where he emerged as runner-up. Ballymac Tibet has developed into a star, winning the Champion Plate before going all the way to the final in the Juvenile Derby, while So Cool boasts some superb form in the UK.
Hackney Corner is the one to beat, however. Known formerly as Left Corner Back, he has shown real ability in his relatively short career. A good starter with fine pace throughout, he is chosen to assert into the bend before seeing off Ballymac Tibet and Bubbly Charger.
EXPECT A STYLISH EFFORT FROM SWORDS
Swords Style did so much right in his latest outing, running own Magical Keith to win in 29.59.
In victory, he displayed fine pace and strength. It was just his seventh career outing but it’s clear he is a puppy with a bright future.
He lines out in the red jacket and is perhaps in the perfect position to chase the Leger champion Droopys Banner into the back straight. The latter will have plenty of support and is the most likely pace-setter but he is vulnerable from the third turn.
Swords Style is chosen to take advantage of these vulnerabilities and can come through in the closing stages to score. Others respected include the fast finishing Doctor Darcy and De Bono Lad who ran a big race behind Swords Style last time.