MORE EXCEPTIONAL RUNS EXPECTED AS DERBY CONTINUES
Ian Fortune
While it may be a bit much to expect one of tonight’s competitors in the concluding session of second round heats in the Boylesports Derby to match the Friday night exploits of Bockos Diamond, it would also be brash to rule out the possibility such is the quality of the greyhounds on show at Shelbourne Park this evening.
The likes of Bombay Pat, Boylesports Bob, De Lahdedah, Callaway Knegare and Cheap Sandwiches will attempt to justify their lofty position in the outright market and the resulting action will be right out of the top drawer. Below is our heat by heat guide to tonight’s action.
Heat by heat guide to tonight’s Derby action:
Heat 9 – LAHDEDAH TO RETURN TO WINNING WAYS
Odds-on punters had their fingers burnt by De Lahdedah in the opening round, suffering a defeat at odds of 1-5.
He won’t be that short in Heat 9 but he also won’t be shy of support despite his latest reversal.
The brilliant son of Lenson Bocko has yet to win a race since capturing the English Derby at Towcester in late June but he can put that right in his third outing since his return. In a race that isn’t packed with early speed, Kirby Memorial champion Knockeen Dazzler looks a certain pace-setter but he could find himself under severe pressure if De Lahdedah happens to turn close.
That seems a distinct possibility and Liam Dowling’s star is chosen to come through in the second half of the contest to beat Knockeen Dazzler with big finishers Extra Gain and Ryhope Beach set to battle it out for third spot.
Clonfert Annie won well in the opening round but faces a tougher test on this occasion. If she is to make the frame she needs a flying start, while Bartlemy Cop must produce a flying start to figure.
Heat 10 – DOLLY CAN SING THE RIGHT TUNE
Heat 10 is not an easy contest to predict a likely winner. Carmac King will likely start favourite but he has been lightly raced since in Leger exit in early August and hasn’t won a race since late July.
He displayed encouraging signs behind Bockos Diamond last week but needs to take another step forward in Heat 10 where he faces impressive opening round scorer Singalong Dolly.
The latter only came in as a reserve last week but is proven at the very highest level as a Puppy Oaks and Cesarewitch winner. She shot from traps last week to make every inch in a fast 29.39. A repeat of that form would see her make a bold bid, potentially from the front.
The presence of Whyaye Bonnylad on her immediate inside is a slight concern but Singalong Dolly is certainly not put off by the cut and thrust of racing and could come from behind that rival if necessary. Beanos Podge, Farney Chime and Fahy Hazel complete the line up. Farey Chime and Fahy Hazel are exposed and need to find plenty to come home in front. In contrast, Beanos Podge is progressive and is potentially the best of the remainder.
Singalong Dolly gets the nod on the strength of her latest victory but Carmac King should be shown plenty of respect. So too must Whyaye Bonnylad although he needs to turn in front to worry the judge here.
Heat 11 – ROBBIE TO TEST GORDEN
Both Superfast Gorden and Robbies Galaxy suffered defeat in the opening round but both caught the eye of many keen observers.
Superfast Gorden came in for strong support last week but found himself hemmed in on more than one occasion. He finished his race off well and seems more likely to get a clear run this evening.
Robbies Galaxy was badly baulked at the turn in his opening round assignment but flew from the second turn to qualify in third. He too will have plenty of support this evening and, at their respective prices, he makes more appeal that Superfast Gorden, who is possibly the most likely winner.
Of the remainder, Southwood Stan has a kind draw and could race prominently, while Born To Perform is long overdue a victory. She has been reseeded as a middle seed and can get involved from trap four, although will need a flying start. Prince Naseem and Benalmadena Puma are both strong but can they turn close enough?
Heat 12 – BOMBAY TO DOMINATE AGAIN
Bombay Pat was awesome in the opening round, continuing his sensational rise up the ranks.
He is now amongst the fastest greyhounds on the planet and in the top three in the Derby betting. He puts his credentials on the line in Heat 12 and is fully expected to pass his latest test with flying colours.
The brilliant son of Pestana has incredible early speed and, from a kind draw in the stripes, is expected to swoop to the front well before the corner. In truth, Bombay Pat is perhaps the only serious threat to himself.
If he doesn’t make a mess of the start, he should emerge a comfortable scorer. Of those in opposition, each of the remaining five runners have claims of making the frame. Breaghmore Dice, Deelish Nora and Down To Business all won their opening round assignments and are capable of making the frame, while Bonkersinyonkers and Blackeyed Turbo have plenty of pace and can’t be dismissed either.
Bombay Pat is set to emerge an easy winner but the battle for second and third could go right down to the wire.
Heat 13 – KNEGARE READY TO SHINE
Juvenile Derby champion Callaway Knegare has suffered two defeats in his last two starts.
That’s as many as he suffered in his eight previous outings. Tonight, he can return to winning ways in Heat 13 where Ballinabola Jim and Mustang Fever can offer the greatest resistance.
There isn’t much early speed around Calaway Knegare which should allow him to turn much closer to the pace than in his last two starts. The in-form Ballinabola Jim and Mustang Fever are likely to go up well on the outside of the track but if Callaway Knegare encounters a clean passage on the inside of the track he may have too much ammunition for his rivals.
Dromana Dano rarely runs a bad race around Shelbourne Park and could potentially race prominently from four but his presence might actually work in the favourite of Callaway Knegare. Were Dromana Dano to go up fast from four, he could potentially hold up Mustang Fever and Ballinabola Jim. That could allow Callaway Knegare to turn very close to the pace, which is not good news for his rivals.
Heat 14 – BRILLIANT BOB TO FOLLOW UP
English Derby runner-up Boylesports Bob has returned from a summer break in exceptional form.
In fact, he looks better than ever after two stunning displays, including his latest 29.25 return. A week on, the Paul Hennessy trained powerhouse will be a red-hot favourite for Heat 14.
Obviously talented rivals like Faypoint Harvey and Bubbly Shadow are greatly respected but Boylesports Bob has a huge engine and the draw to make the most of it. With a clear passage on the outside of the track, he could prove very difficult to contain.
Bubbly Shadow has a kind draw in three and is likely to go up well but he may need to open a clear advantage to emerge on top. Faypoint Harvey is also well drawn on the fence and can never be ignored but he must reproduce his very best career form to lower the colours of the favourite.
The field is completed by three talented ladies. Is She There, Hawkfield Abbie and Droopys Avatar are all capable of a big run on their night and will attempt to snatch one of the qualifying spots.
Heat 15 – CHANCE TORO IN A WIDE-OPEN AFFAIR
Heat 15 is without doubt one of the most open, if not the most open, contests of the round.
Realistic claims can be made for each of the runners including the likely favourite Ower Cracker. The latter is drawn on the fence, although he may edge off.
Should he produce a fast start, he could quickly emerge as the one to beat but he isn’t blessed with exceptional early dash and were he to miss the beat, he could quickly find himself in need of some racing room.
De Foxy Devil and Scooby Pacemaker have plenty of pace but need to show fluency at traps to get involved, while UK raider Arthur Cornflake has plenty of power and will bid to come from off the pace to score. The same can be said for Deadly Choice. He walked out last week before finishing at speed.
That leaves just Dashing Toro. He arguably has the best form in the book as the track record holder for 550yds at Tralee. If he were to come away on terms, he pace and power could make the difference and, at a generous price, he could be the one to side with.
Heat 16 – SANDWICHES THE ONE TO BEAT
With only four going to traps in the final heat following the withdrawal of both Ballymac Danica during the week and Helo Diego first thing this morning, Cheap Sandwiches is set to start one of the hottest favourites of the round from an ideal draw in the stripes.
Of course, he was in the wars in the opening round but has been in exceptional form and looks the part from a wide draw. Of his rivals, Ballymac Briar is the one potential spanner in the works. He ran a far better race than the bare form suggests last week and is capable of going up fast from an inside draw. He is seen as the greatest threat to the favourite, although Castleivy Ginge also displayed signs of a return to her very best last week, while Hot Wood has some fine form on his card also.
One suspects the market will be correct, however. Cheap Sandwiches is chosen to make all at the expense of Ballymac Briar.