EXPECT A WONDERFUL START TO BOYLESPORTS DERBY
Ian Fortune
The journey to November 23rd and a potential place in history begins at the new Shelbourne Park this evening with the start of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby.
156 greyhounds will line out in the opening round, half of which will be in action tonight, and favourite to land the Derby crown is Bockos Diamond.
DIAMOND SET TO SPARKLE
In fact, he is the hottest Derby favourite since Clares Rocket in 2017 and we won’t have to wait long to see him in action.
The brilliant son of Dorotas Wildcat will be an unbackable favourite to win the second heat and he really should be coming home in front if he is to hand Graham Holland a record equalling fourth Irish Derby five weeks from now.
Of his rivals this evening, Ryhope Beach is his only real rival in the betting and it could be a similar scenario on the track itself. Expect Bockos Diamond to fly into a commanding lead before going on to hold Ryhope Beach.
Shelbourne Park and the 550yd Derby trip are both right up the street of Bockos Diamond and in the coming weeks we could potentially see something very special from the young tracker.
PICKLES TO GET PROCEEDINGS OFF IN STYLE
Coosane Pickles is amongst the fastest bitches in training and her power and pace can see her kick off proceedings in real style. A non-runner from the final of the Maiden Derby, she returns from a near-three-week layoff and is likely to be ready to roll.
De Foxy Devil, Breaghmore Dice and Toolmaker Note all boast some fine form but Fairy Footsteps is nominated as the main threat given her ability to fly to the turn. If she does return to her fast-starting ways, the Pat Guilfoyle trained bitch could set a strong gallop.
Coosane Pickles is mighty strong, however, and if turning any way close, she will likely pick up Fairy Footsteps at the business end. De Foxy Devil could emerge best of the remainder from an ideal draw on the fence.
PRINCE SET TO REIGN
Those looking for one that represents value should look no further than the Fraser Black trained Maireads Prince in Heat 3. A talented tracker with superb pace from start to finish, he is best suited by the 550yd trip and has an ideal draw in the stripes.
Available at 5-2 in places during the week, he is nominated as the best value on offer. His latest defeat over 525yds can be ignored given the fact he met the traffic spots but the longer run to the turn will really play to his strengths this evening.
Clona Stand is a narrow favourite with a number of the firms but that might change ahead of the race. He too boasts some fine form, albeit most of it is provincial. If he is to come home in front, he needs to hit the ground running rom three. Of the remainder, Kapuka Warrior is perhaps the main threat to the big two. He has fine early speed and will appreciate his rails draw.
ALDO FACES A TOUGH TEST
There will be a fascinating run to the bend in Heat 4 where a number of talented trackers lock horns. Carrick Aldo has already tasted classic glory after winning last year’s Irish Sprint Cup.
The run to the turn over the Derby trip should really play to his strength but he will need to be in front by the third turn in what is his first ever start over 550yds.
Evolution is certain to go up fast but will almost certainly cut for the fence from four. He does tend to hit a flat spot into the third turn and a failure to dictate would see him have to settle for a minor role. Instead, the perfectly draw Cheque For Cash is nominated as a serious danger to Carrick Aldo.
He has some brilliant form at Shelbourne Park, comes into the classic fresh as a daisy and as the overall profile of one that could improve for the step up in trip. From the inside box, he is expected to have a big say in the outcome.
Daleroad Devon is another very interesting participant in this contest. He won his first six starts around Tralee but was out of luck from a nightmare draw in his Shelbourne debut. He faces a far better draw in two this evening and can’t be dismissed, although this is clearly his toughest test yet. Getup Me Lad and Kilgraney Bolger complete a quality field. Both will be available at fancy prices.
BEACH READY FOR DERBY CAMPAIGN
Seven Beach will be one of the hottest favourites of the round when he lines out in the stripes in Heat 5. In superb fashion in recent weeks, he is perhaps Jennifer O’Donnell’s best chance of landing an unprecedented third Derby in a row.
Blessed with superb early speed and the right draw in six, he can assert on the outside of the track, leaving him the perfect opportunity to take control own the back straight. Droopy Metaphor could certainly challenge Seven beach early.
He will fly up the fence but the extra emphasis on stamina may not play to his strengths. Expect Seven Beach to have too much ammunition for that rival from the third turn. A Lucky Julie, who was last seen when dead-heating in the Oaks decider, lines out in five. She may be in need of the run but it would be brash to ignore her claims given her immense talent. Crokers Sydney and Toolmaker Curio will need to find their trapping boots but both are capable of playing a part also.
CRAZE JUST GETS THE NOD
Aikins Lad is a non-runner in Heat 6. Depending on whether there are non-runners in earlier heats, his place could potentially go to the hugely talented Unanimous Panther. If that were the case, he would emerge a serious challenger.
Du to the uncertainly over what reserve will go in, however, we must stick to the confirmed runners of which Jaytee Craze is perhaps the best equipped to come out top. He has massive pace and power and would be hard to contain if turning close.
Rushy Meadows is very talented but hasn’t been seen in some time. At her best she would be a major player, while Dark Dilemma has the form in the book and has been running very well. He is a serious contender also. Rolos Bucks and Glenlara Blue have also been in good form and can’t be completely ignored in what looks a wide-open affair.
DYNAMIC TO FORCE THE PACE
Dynamic Force was a brilliant winner of the recent Bart Leahy memorial at Curraheen Park. Unlike his early career starts, he displayed real strength in the second half of his most recent contests and the step up to 550yds could really see him at his best.
He lines out in five in Heat 7 where Whyaye Bonnylad and Swords Hero can offer the greatest resistance. One suspects Dynamic Force is still on an upward trajectory and he is chosen to take charge before halfway to emerge a comfortable winner for Paul Hennessy. Whyaye Bonnylad has the early speed to challenge and can play a big part but he will need to get loose at the head of affairs.
LADIES TO COME TO THE FORE
It could pay to side with the ladies in Heat 8 where Undulation and Magical Sapphire are well housed on the outside of the track. There was support for Superfast Gorden during the week but he faces a tough draw ion the fence with the rail-seeking Highview Splash likely to cut inwards from two.
With the prospect of things getting tight on the fence, Undulation and Magical Sapphire can come for the fore. Undulation was brilliant last Saturday night and seems to be as good as ever. She might just get first run on Magical Sapphire, who looks a serious danger after she too impressed last weekend. Extra Gain will be finishing faster than any and could represent a little value at double figure odds. Tinahue Pappone ran well through the Laurels but needs to come through the bars to cause an upset.
CAN DANICA FIND FORM?
There’s plenty of questions to be answered in Heat 9. Firstly, can Ballymac Danica return to the sort of form that saw her establish herself as one of Ireland’s best earlier in the year. A couple of recent outings will stand to her but she needs to be at her sharpest from trap four.
Innfield Destiny displayed all sorts of pace to finish runner-up in the Juvenile Derby but can he tidy up his starting. At present, his tendency to give his rivals a start is costing him but he must be greatly respected from a kind draw on the rail.
Of the remainder, Robbies Galaxy could potentially represent value. A powerful galloper with some fine form over further, he would be favoured by any traffic on his inner. Ballymac Danica gets the nod ahead of Innfield Destiny but don’t sleep on Robbies Galaxy.
BOOKEM MAKES DUBLIN DEBUT
Droopys Bookem is one of the least exposed greyhounds in the competition but in his short career he has shown plenty of pace and power. It’s obvious to many that he will develop into a star but will this come too soon?
He has his first start at Shelbourne Park in Heat 10 and would likely make a bold bid if coming away on terms. Nothing will come easy in this contest, however. Radical Scoby has an ideal draw on the fence and won well last time, Randolph Scotts has impressed at Shelbourne in the past, while Droopys Carbine and Down To Business are also proven at a high level. Even Glitzy Magic, who is set to start a big price, has been in terrific form of late.
Droopys Bookem is chosen to come out on top for Johnny Linehan but don’t be tempted to take short prices.
KNEGARE TO GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Juvenile Derby champion Callaway Knegare can leave his latest defeat behind him in Heat 11. A clever tracker with awesome pace and power, he could prove to be very difficult to contain if turning close to the pace.
House Martin, the 2023 Derby runner-up Bockos Crystal, Kirby memorial runner-up Bubbly Shadow and UK raider Keefill Maverick are all respected but the main threat to Calaway Knegare may come in the form of the exciting Tarsna Maasai.
With a perfect draw in the stripes, he is likely to go up fast and would be a tough nut to crack if turning in front. Callaway Knegare is special, however, and his superior strength can make the difference.
A QUALITY-PACKED AFFAIR
Heat 12 is packed with famous names. 2022 Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn takes on 2023 Laurels champion High Trend and 2022 Juvenile Derby winner Clona Duke. All three owe little to their connections and would be a joy to own.
Da Bold Falcon is set to start favourite, however. The 600yd track record holder is perfectly drawn on the fence, has immense power and will finish at speed. He is expected to arrive late and fast but is vulnerable to one getting loose.
High Trend hasn’t been at his very best of late but his ability to rocket from traps and show big early speed could allow him turn in front. In what looks a fascinating contest, High Trend is a tentative selection to make all at the expense of Da Bold Falcon.
PAT SET TO IMPRESS
Coolavanny Otto, Ventry Faith, Ower Cracker and Carmac King are all very talented and must be respected in the final heat of the night, but Bombay Pat may just have too much ammunition for his rivals.
The recent Maiden Derby champion seems to have rare ability. A stripes draw should afford him room in the early yards, while his brilliant early speed can carry him to the front. After winning in 29.21 and 29.35 in his last two starts, the son of Pestana has been introduced as one of the favourites for Derby glory and he is chosen to get his Derby campaign off to a winning start.
Carmac King was one of the stars of the summer and is seen as the main threat but he will need to come away racing from five.