STAGE SET FOR AN EPIC TIME CLUB DERBY DECIDER

Peter Farrell

Just six remain from the original 144 runners that set out in pursuit of the €20,000 first prize in the TIME Club Derby A4 525, with a hugely competitive final taking centre stage at Limerick Greyhound Stadium tonight.

Over the past five weeks, the competition, kindly sponsored by Willie Rigney, John Fox and the extended TIME team, has produced some outstanding racing. The opening round, staged across two full race cards, was dominated by this innovative graders event and, while the time stipulation allowed the majority of winners to progress unscathed, it had the opposite effect seven days later. A host of impressive heat winners saw their campaigns come to an abrupt end after posting exceptional performances that fell foul of the qualifying conditions. Despite those twists along the way, the competition has produced an outstanding final six and connections of each finalist will head to Limerick believing they have every chance of landing the rich prize on offer.

A LOOK AT THE FINALISTS

T1 – ROSSA SHELBY (Owner/Trainer: Thomas O'Donovan)

A brilliant winner of her semi-final assignment in a fast 28.85, the well-bred daughter of Tommy Shelby and Azzabi doubled her tally in the competition after also scoring on the opening night. She has improved with each passing round and arrives in the final on the back of a career-best effort, breaking the 29-second barrier for the first time last weekend. On that evidence, 'Shelby' is clearly trending in the right direction and connections will be delighted to see her retain the red jacket tonight. A big player, although she will need to reproduce something close to the 1.30 sectional that underpinned her semi-final success.

T2 – IMAGINE IF (Owners: Liam Cahill & Tony Lacey)

The youngest greyhound in the line-up, Imagine If is likely to start favourite after advertising his immense potential in his last three outings. The son of Koblenz and Tory Aria posted a brilliant 28.64 in the third round before backing that up with a 28.72 success in the quarter-finals. Arguably, however, his finest display came in defeat in the semi-finals, where he recovered from significant traffic at the second bend to storm home and qualify with plenty in hand. Ideally housed in trap two tonight, he has the pace figures to trouble all of his rivals and, given his age, still has plenty of scope for improvement.

T3 – EIMEARS LADY (Owner: Gerard Quinn | Trainer: Brian Robinson)

The long journey from County Tyrone has certainly proved worthwhile for connections. Eimears Lady made the perfect start to her TIME Derby campaign, winning her opening two rounds with the minimum of fuss and suggesting bigger performances were to come. The daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Drumcove Rozy has dipped beneath the 29-second mark on each of her last three starts, with her standout effort coming in the quarter-finals when posting 28.79 in a narrow defeat to T6. A capable front-runner when trapping well, she drifted wide from trap two in the semi-finals, something that may aid those on her inside tonight. Nevertheless, she brings more experience to the table than her rivals and has already shown a real liking for the Limerick circuit.

T4 – KERRYROAD AL (Owner/Trainer: Kevin McLean)

Another breakout performer in this year's competition, the son of Head Bound and Fancy Tulip progressed comfortably through the opening two rounds before producing a rapid 28.60 in round three, aided by a blistering 1.25 sectional. While he has not quite matched those figures since, he returned to winning ways in the semi-finals, asserting late to score in 28.78. Still relatively inexperienced with only eight career starts, he is certain to feature prominently in the betting and, if reproducing a sub-1.30 sectional, will take plenty of stopping.

T5 – BUNDLE OF FIVERS (Owner/Trainer: Pauline McNamara)

Despite negotiating five demanding rounds, McNamara's brindle has progressed with the minimum of fuss, repeatedly showcasing his exceptional finishing power from the third bend home. His most eye-catching display came in the quarter-finals when storming from last to first in 28.89, suggesting there remains plenty in reserve if granted a clear run. By Grangeview Ten out of Rockmount Royce, few in the field will finish stronger than 'Fivers', while his proven ability to weave through traffic could prove invaluable if the race becomes congested. Don’t dismiss!

T6 – PRIVATE LUNA (Owner: John Ryan | Trainer: John Byrne)

Another likely to command strong market support, Private Luna has taken her form to a new level in recent weeks. She produced an excellent 28.70 victory in the quarter-finals before backing that up with another smart display in the semi-finals, only being worn down late by T4. The daughter of King Sheeran and Diego Luna has also trapped particularly well in her last two outings, recording sectionals of 1.31 and 1.32, figures that could see her dictate matters into the opening bend. Still open to further improvement as an August pup, she boasts an ideal draw in trap six and connections will be hopeful of another career-best performance.

VERDICT - Imagine If has advertised his considerable ability throughout this competition and looks to be developing into a very talented greyhound. His draw in trap two appears ideal, particularly with Eimears Lady likely to edge right at traprise, and provided he enjoys a clear passage into the opening bend, he gets the vote to land this prestigious prize. Kerryroad Al is expected to come with a strong challenge from halfway, while Bundle Of Fivers also possesses a powerful finishing kick and is taken to complete the placings.

*****

TIME SPONSORED CARD

On a night sponsored entirely by TIME, there are a number of good races on the supporting card, headed by the consolation final of the Graders Derby.

Like the main event, there are some really talented trackers in the line-up but the selection is the strong-running Kerryroad Pa in six. Quite a few runners looked like the semi finals was a race too far, however, Kevin McLean’s runner wasn’t one of them. A full brother of Kerryroad Al, he too steps on the gas from the halfway mark and he should be allowed plenty of room early on with the normally slow-starting Musical Queen on his inside.

The final of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition A3 600 also features and Clonbrien Piper gets the vote for the C-K-Syndicate.

The September puppy won for the first time in three starts last time out and he did so in powerful fashion, picking off his rivals to fly home and post 33.19. The son of Newinn Taylor looks to have a bright future ahead and if he can nestle into a favourable position early on, he can prove too strong late on. His main threat looks to be the experienced Mystical Ranger in six. The David Flanagan-trained runner also finished with a flurry last time out and has the edge in terms of experience.