A NIGHT TO SAVOUR AS FESTIVAL ENDS
Ian Fortune
The very best greyhounds in training will descend on Shelbourne Park this evening as the RCÉ Winter Racing Festival comes to a wonderful conclusion.
One of the greatest cards of all time will see a total of €97,500 dished out in win prizemoney, while it’s safe to expect some outstanding performances over a number of different distances in different disciplines.
There are six €10,000 championship races, five races worth €5,000 to the winner and the final of the IGOBF National Puppy Stake, which is worth a whopping €12,500 and it’s with the latter we start our preview.
JOEY THE NATIONAL PUPPY CHOICE
After two intriguing qualifying rounds, we are left with a tremendous decider in the IGOBF National Puppy Stake.
Certainly, the betting suggests it’s a very open affair with Untold Rufiyaa marginal favourite ahead of Lemon Joey with Ballymac Eli and Droopys Deploy just behind the pair.
To highlight the strength on show, the two outsiders, Shebetheone and Hopes Kitty are both capable of going fast. The draw has added further intrigue to the contest.
Ballymac Eli is drawn on the fence and there is a strong chance he will aim to move to the middle in the early yards. In such a scenario, Untold Rufiyaa will ned a little luck to avoid a bump. The favourite is capable of a flying start, however, and his many supporters will be hoping he can get the jump on his rival.
On the outside of the track, Lemon Joey and Droopys Deploy need to be on their toes in the early yards. Both impressed in defeat last week, although one suspects Lemon Joe will prove popular in the ring. In fact, it would be no surprise if he were to unship Untold Rufiyaa at the top of the market.
Droopys Deploy displayed huge pace down the back straight in both rounds to date but needs to brush up on his trapping. As for the two flying females in the middle of the track, both will need to be at their very sharpest in the early yards if they are to turn in front. That may need to be the case to worry the judge.
In a contest which has numerous potential outcomes, Lemon Joey just gets the nod to lad home Untold Rufiyaa. If trapping on terms, he could find himself in front by the corner before going on to make every yard thereafter.
SANDWICHES TO SATISFY
There will be plenty of eyes on Cheap Sandwiches in the Winter Racing Festival Open 550.
The Derby runner-up was brilliant through the blue riband and has quickly become one of the star names in the sport.
From a kind draw in four, he is drawn on the right side of the early paced duo of Knockeen Dazzler and Seven Beach. Both will go up fast but, if failing to clear Cheap Sandwiches, will find themselves playing catch up.
Instead, English Derby champion De Lahdedah can emerge as the main danger to Cheap Sandwiches. He was last seen leading on the line to win the Consolation Derby and seems to be returning to his very best form.
From a kind draw on the fence, he is likely to make a bold bid but the vote remains firmly with Cheap Sandwiches. A good starter with tremendous early speed and massive pace throughout, he is chosen to come home alone.
CRAZE TO SHOW HIS CLASS
Paul Hennessy will be hopeful of a good night.
Jaytee Craze is set to start a hot favourite to continue his unbeaten ways over six bends in the Winter Racing Festival Championship 750, while Boylesports Bob will be fancied to come home in front in the Winter Racing Festival Championship 600.
Jaytee Craze was absolutely dominant on Derby final night, opening a lad of a dozen lengths or more in the first half of the race before coasting home four lengths clear in 41.63. that run came in the worst of the weather conditions and he seems good for far faster.
If clearing Hukum in the early yards, he can again set a blistering gallop. Of his rivals, 2023 Stayer of the Year Kinturk Road is greatly respected and can certainly finish far closer than last time. Coolavanny Otto is a very interesting newcomer to the trip and will have some support from trap three, while it would be no surprise if Crescent Emily ran well at a big price.
BRILLIANT BOB TO DELIVER
Boylesports Bob faces a tough test with some hugely talented rivals in opposition.
600yd track record holder Da Bold Falcon is always hugely popular with punters and he is capable of playing a big part from three but the main threat to Boylesports Bob may come in the form of Untold Dollar.
An impressive winner over 575yds on Derby final night, he relishes the long run to the turn and is set to dictate for much of the way. Derby finalist and Cesarewitch champion Singalong Dolly is also worthy of a mention, although she needs to be at her sharpest from an inside draw. Boylesports Bob has long been screaming out for a step up in trip, however, and he is selected to prove too strong for Untold Dollar.
KOBE FOR THE SLAM DUNK
The presence of 2023 Derby champion The Other Kobe in the Winter Racing Festival Championship 525 adds real intrigue to the contest.
A recent 27.99 trial suggests the brilliant son of Ballymac Best is as good as ever and he has a near perfect draw on the fence.
Despite his advancing years – he is over four and a half – the Graham Holland trained star is seen as the one to beat. Carrick Aldo was brilliant through the Derby and has a kind draw in the stripes but he would perhaps prefer the longer run to the turn over 550yds. Of the remainder, the in-form Tarsna Maasai is certainly entitled to plenty of respect. A professional starter with the all-round speed to challenge the best, he is more than capable of going close.
GRIP IT AND RIP IT
Short Grip is nominated as one of the better bets on the card in the Winter Racing Festival Championship Bitch 525.
A flying starter with a weight of top class form behind her, she can dominate from the outset to see off a talented field that includes Glengar Martha, Mustang Fever and Deelish Nora.
TEJAY TO POWER HIS WAY TO VICTORY
Another that makes plenty of appeal is Ballyhooly Tejay in the Winter Racing Festival 850.
A noted big finisher over 750yds, the step up to 850yds will really play to his strengths. The same can be said for Droopys Comrade, while Magical Sapphire is set to give the pair a target to aim at.
Defending champion Highjay Muzzy is running better than her bare form suggests and is far from a no-hoper. It is difficult to make a case for Roanna Bonnie and Lilac Tree. If this contest goes to script, Magical Sapphire is likely to set a strong gallop before being picked up from the penultimate turn by Ballyhooly Tejay.
BOMBAY FACING HIS TOUGHTEST EXAMINATION
The night ends with a brilliant 575yd contest.
The Winter Racing Festival Championship 575 features the red-hot Bombay Pat. Blessed with incredible early speed once he gets into full stride, the Derby semi-finalist looks certain to turn in front but his stamina will be stretched by the extra twenty-five yards.
There is no room for error, however, with Ower Cracker, Derby Plate champion Elite Josh, Carmac King and Dynamic Force amongst his rivals. Throw in the powerful Robbies Galaxy and it’s quite a contest.
Conventional wisdom will tell you that Bombay Pat will emerge as the one to beat with the brilliant son of Pestana expected to drive into a clear advantage at halfway but he will be vulnerable from the final turn. Ower Cracker has some outstanding form over the trip and is nominated as the main danger although there would be no surprise result in this contest.
MORE TREASURE FOR SECOND
The Winter Racing Festival Sprint is also hugely competitive with so many of the field capable of mounting a bold bid.
Second Treasure is a real professional as highlighted by his Derby final night success.
He renews rivalry with top sprinter Road Exile, while Irish Sprint Cup runner-up Elite Kursk will have support on the outside of the track. Evolution is an interesting newcomer to the sprinting game but may need a run or two over the trip to get up to full speed. Born Racer impressed in the Fair Warrior Sprint but needs to be electric at traps to get involved.
Second Treasure is chosen to make every yard from an inside draw. Road Exile and Elite Kursk can both emerge as serious dangers.
CAN BRUNO DELIVER A KNOCKOUT?
The action gets underway with the Winter Racing Festival Juvenile 525 and the presence of six inside seeds makes it quite the conundrum.
Crafty Alejandro laned some hefty wagers on Derby final night and has the best of the draw on the fence. He is a likely favourite but he needs to be at his very sharpest.
Ballyhooly Bruno flew in his latest victory on Derby final night. It was by some margin a career best display but, if repeating that form, is a big player again. Cheque For Cash and Ballymac Briar are both respected, although the draw hasn’t been kind to either.
They would far prefer a rails pitch and need to be at their very sharpest in the opening yards. Unanimous Roxy and Boylesports Blue complete a talented field. It’s a cracking contest and one that can set the tone for the night ahead. A tentative vote goes the way of Ballyhooly Bruno.
MOLLY TO MOW DOWN LADY
The Winter Racing Festival Open Bitch 550 is another fascinating contest.
Grangeclare Lady is the most likely pace-setter in four, while Singalong Molly has been in exceptional form in recent weeks and looks a serious player.
In terms of form and ability, there isn’t much between the remainder, Ardera Freya, Hawkfield Abbie, Silverhill Freya and Now Were Talkin. Singalong Molly is on an upward curve and she can add to her tally by picking up Grangeclare Lady in the second half of the contest.
PRINCE TO REIGN
The last remaining contest is the supporting Winter Racing Festival open 550.
And yet again, it should provide a hugely competitive contest. Maireads Prince has the best of the draw in the stripes and that could make the difference.
Things could get tight on the inside of the track with Kapuka Warrior, Miami King and Phoenix Memphis all vying for the same ground. That could play into the hands of Faypoint Harvey and Innfield Destiny but slight preference is for Maireads Prince.