BOMBAY SPECIAL CAN STAR ONCE MORE IN THE CORK OAKS
Barry Drake
BOMBAY SPECIAL is expected to star once more as the semi-finals of the SS0 Personnel Cork Oaks take centre stage at Curraheen Park tonight.
A winner of eight of her 11 career outings, the selection delivered a career-best performance last time out, clocking a sensational 28.01. If she produces another flying start, she really should prove too strong. The sole seeded runner has bundles of all-round speed, and she's the one to beat for sure.
Third in the recent Tote Gold Cup final, Ballymac Siun is next best for the kennel of Liam Dowling. The eight-time winner has some big runs in the book, and although she was turned over last week, she is capable of a big run in this. A quick start will be needed, but if doing things right, she should be in the mix throughout.
In the opening semi-final, Magical On Fire gets the nod for Pat Guilfoyle. A winner of the Laurels and the Christmas Oaks, the classy performer was turned over last week, but she displayed plenty of pace and power in defeat. The selection can be hit or miss at the traps, but with a half-decent start in this, she should return to winning ways.
Liam Dowling's Ballymac Kamala is a 28.09 winner around Shelbourne Park, and she pulled out all the stops to land the spoils last week. That was a fine performance when you consider she didn't produce her quickest start last week and another big performance is likely in this.
Super Syd, for David Harrington, is the pick in the ninth. The selection was a real eye catcher in defeat last week, and in truth, this looks like a slight ease in class. Drawn well in Trap Two, if coming away on terms, the pacey performer should take plenty of stopping.
In the Greyhound Racing Ireland Dual Distance A3 Stake Final, Badminton Mahler is the pick for trainer James Kelleher and owner Pat O'Keeffe. Improving all the time, the May puppy displayed plenty of early speed when winning in 30.18 last time out. On that form, he should take the world of beating. Beanos Rodge is another with claims for the kennel of Peter Mannix. He has plenty of all-round speed, and if he can produce one of his quickest starts, he will be a danger to all.
In the second of the night, the second semi-final of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust A5 Stake, Rafas Best is selected to bounce out in front and make every yard of the running. The Eamonn Morton-trained runner ran well in defeat last time out, and a reproduction of that should be enough to land the spoils in this.
The race of the night comes in the closing race, and the Graham Holland-trained Riverside Popsie has claims of making all the running. An explosive start will be needed, but the talented selection is capable of leading, and another big performance is on the cards. A recent 28.42 winner around course and distance, she should go well. Holland is another leading player in the shape of Fahee Phantom. Of the others in the line-up, Ballycowen Frank is one to watch. If putting his best foot forward, he should give them all plenty to think about. As usual, the first of the night will get underway at 7.35 pm.