DIAMOND AND FREDDIE TO SHINE AS BOYLESPORTS DERBY CONTINUES
Ian Fortune
There’s a greater sense of jeopardy about tonight and tomorrow night’s action in the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby with less room for error.
With only three to progress from each of the sixteen second round heats, any mistakes could prove the end of a Derby challenge.
Tonight’s card at Shelbourne Park is dominated by the first session of second round heats. Litter brothers Bockos Diamond and March On Freddie sit at the head of the market for outright glory and they are both in action this evening. Below we give a full run through of the eight heats.
A heat-by-heat guide to tonight’s Boylesports Derby action:
Heat 1 – SAPPHIRE TO SHINE
Kapuka Warrior will start favourite in the opening heat and is expected to make a bold bid for his many backers but, at the respective prices, Magical Sapphire makes more appeal.
Both won their opening round assignments with the latter digging deep to see off some notable rivals.
She may have only recorded 29.91 but is capable of going far faster. With the rails-seeking Syd Zafiro, who can’t be dismissed, drawn in four, Magical Sapphire will have room to race in the early yards and she can turn close to the pace.
Kapuka Warrior is certain to up fast on the inside and is a likely pace-setter but he could be vulnerable from the third turn. Magical Sapphire is chosen to power her way to the front in the latter stages. Kapuka Warrior is the main threat, while Syd Zafiro and the strong running Thats It Jack are also capable of making the frame.
Heat 2 – FORCE TO FOLLOW UP
Dynamic Force made a successful return to Shelbourne Park last week, running a tremendous corner to hit the front by the time they entered the back straight.
From a kinder draw in the stripes, the Paul Hennessy trained star is expected to come forward for last week’s run and is a deserving hot favourite.
If he does come away on terms, he can assert before the second turn. That’s not to say he faces a straight-forward task. Ballymac Finn, Randolph Scotts and Dark Dilemma will each have their supporters, while Glitzy Magic ran very well in defeat last week. But in terms of a value alternative, Fairy Footsteps is nominated as the main threat. She ran well in defeat last week and is capable of a flying start. If she does find her trapping boots, the 16-1 on offer in places would love overly generous.
Heat 3 – FANTASTIC FREDDIE CAN SHOW HIS CLASS
UK raider March On Freddie made a real splash in the opening round, dominating to post a sensational fastest of the round 29.19.
While he went up fast in that success, the most impressive element of his victory was the pace and power he displayed from the second turn.
The David Mullins trained star looks ideally housed in the stripes but a closer inspection would highlight the fact that Tivoli Milo, in five, is expected to take a step right at trap rise. March On Freddie isn’t exactly small, however. He tips the scales at 80lbs and can handle himself. Even if h does take a bump, he has the speed to turn close to the pace, which could potentially be set by Droopys Metaphor.
If avoiding bad traffic, March On Freddie can make his superior pace could from halfway and he is chosen to emerge a comfortable winner yet again. Droopys Metaphor and the well-housed House Martin are chosen to follow him home.
Heat 4 – DOLLAR TO CASH IN ON GOOD DRAW
Untold Dollar overcame traffic to win his opening round heat in 29.55.
It doesn’t seem too unreasonable to think he could go at least three lengths faster. If doing so, he would be very difficult to stop in Heat 4 where he should have the measure of those on his flanks into the turn.
Da Bold Falcon and Miami King are both strong but are unlikely to threaten Untold Dollar into the turn. Instead, Cheque For Cash, drawn on the fence, looks the main danger in the opening exchanges. He can race prominently but Untold Dollar is selected to make all.
Both the aforementioned Da Bold Falcon and the wide drawn Deadly Disco will finish at speed but Untold Dollar may be too far clear to worry.
Heat 5 – NO ROOM FOR ERROR
Clona Duke is a deserving favourite for Heat 5 but fear of a slight bounce, allied with a tight draw on the fence and the fact that he faces some very talented rivals means we won’t be recommending him at a relatively short price.
Hawkfield Blue, Grangeclare Lady and Glengar Martha can all motor into the turn and space could be at a premium. Maireads Prince is certain to finish well and could potentially capitalise if there is any traffic amongst the early paced contingent.
In what looks a wide-open affair, Hawkfield Blue is nominated at the prices available but this is more of contest to watch than get involved in.
Heat 6 – BEACH FACES TOUGH TEST
Short Grip, Seven Beach and Tarsna Maasai could have quite a battle to the turn in Heat 6.
Throw in Produce Stakes champion Unanimouspanther, the talented Rushy Meadows and exciting Daleroad Devon and it’s quite a contest.
So much will depend on the opening exchanges. Tarsna Maasai and Seven Beach posted the two fastest sectionals of the opening round and are likely to go up fast again. So too is Short Grip, who is consistent at boxes.
She ran a fine race in defeat last week and is expected to come on for the run. Seven Beach is a deserving favourite, however. He is drawn inside Tarsna Maasai and could have the early speed to clear Short Grip. If taking the corner in front, he could be hard to stop. It’s also worth pointing out that Seven Beach has the fastest time of the year with a 29.18 return for the 550yd trip back in August.
Heat 7 – DIAMOND TO CUT LOOSE
Bockos Diamond was a stunning opening round scorer, justifying his position as the favourite for outright glory.
Posting a rapid 29.23, he displayed all the qualities needed to become a Derby champion but he will be tested this evening.
Carrick Aldo is drawn on his immediate inside and he too impressed last week, shooting clear to win in 29.42. The pair will race side by side from the outside boxes. If Carrick Aldo does come away racing, Bockos Diamond will have quite a battle into the turn.
Bockos Diamond is truly special, however. He is chosen to take charge around the opening two bends to further enhance his Derby claims. Carrick Aldo is a very obvious threat, while Tuono Charlie and Ballymac Gizmo will both be running on strongly in hope of picking up the pieces.
Heat 8 – SYD NEEDS TO BE AT HIS SHARPEST
Tribal Syd will be hoping to make every inch to justify favouritism in Heat 7 but his supporters will be conscious that any errors in the early yards could be costly.
Both Undulation and A Lucky Julie have a big engine and ran well in defeat seven days ago.
They won’t be short of support and are greatly respected. Either would be a big danger if turning close. turn close. Both flying females will finish fast, while Jaytee Craze is expected to improve on his recent winning form and is also a big player.
Droopys Carbine has a kind draw on the fence but must repeat his very best southern form, while Denos Bay will be a big price despite running well last week. An early lead could make a difference for Tribal Syd but he really does need to be at his very sharpest in this hot contest.