A SPECIAL CARD ON OFFER IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
Those journeying to Shelbourne Park this evening can expect two things, exceptional racing and plenty of Boylesports Irish greyhound Derby clues from a number of Ireland’s very best.
In fact, the top two in sponsor’s Derby market are in action but neither feature in the two big races on the card, the finals of the Yvonne Barry Open 600 and the Paddy Merriman Memorial A1 525.
Have no doubt, there will be huge interest in how both Bockos Diamond and Callaway Knegare perform in their first start over 550yds but the headlines will go elsewhere with €15,000 on offer between the two deciders. As an added bonus, the semi-finals of the Maiden Derby will also offer up some superb racing.
HOFFA SET TO START FAVOURITE IN MERRIMAN MEMORIAL
The Paddy Merriman Memorial is the most valuable race up for decision with €10,000 going to winner.
The market suggests it is going to be Stonepark Hoffa and it’s hard to argue against him. Certainly, he has been the star of the competition thus far, proceeding through the preliminaries unbeaten while he has yet to see a rival.
Blessed with stunning early speed, the Michael O’Donovan trained star will be warm order to produce another dominant front-running display, although he may not find things as easy this evening with Meenagh Monito, drawn on his inner, also expected to go up fast.
Throw in the hugely fast Scooby The Boss, the in-form Quarry Boy, the early paced Coolavanny Brave and the progressive Unreal Unreal and it is a contest to get excited about.
Stonepark Hoffa is a worthy favourite and most likely winner although getting ahead of Meenagh Monito in the opening exchanges is imperative. Were he to fail to do so, there is a huge run bubbling under the surface with Scooby The Boss. The latter is seen as a serious threat.
BIG JIM TO CAPTURE BARRY 600
If semi-final form is to be an accurate guide in Yvonne Barry Open 600, Ballinabola Jim should emerge as the one to beat as he posted one of the fastest ever times for the trip.
Brendan Murphy’s powerhouse tips the scale at 90lb plus but the long run to the turn allows him get into full stride.
Coolavanny Otto chased home Ballinabola Jim last week despite giving his rivals a head start after a slow start. He made up all sorts of ground to move second in the closing yards but it’s obvious he is adapting to the longer trip. He has to b respected.
Magical Sapphire was behind Ballinabola Jim and Coolavanny Otto in the semis, running well for much of the way. She is drawn in three and will bid to get loose at the head of affairs. If she were to turn in front, it’s conceivable she would have enough in reserve to repel her rivals.
Down To Business was at his best when winning his semi-final, albeit in a much slower time than Ballinabola Jim. If he is to come home in front again, he will need to build a clear advantage before halfway. That seems a big ask in this contest.
Fleadh Rileigh and Glenlara Blue complete a talented field. The former is capable of racing prominently but is another that needs a little luck and a clear advantage into the back straight to come home in front. Glenlara Blue set the standard in the quarter finals with a 32.38 return. He needs to go even faster tonight.
Ballinabola Jim was simply brilliant last week, charging clear into the turn to dominate. If repeating that form, he will again emerge on top. He is chosen to see off the same two rivals as last week with Coolavanny Otto and Magical Sapphire chosen to fill the frame.
PICKLES TO FOLLOW UP
Favourite backers will have plenty to sink their teeth into in the semi-finals of the inaugural Maiden Derby.
All three heats feature a short-priced market leader and the on-course layers could be left ducking for cover if all three emerge triumphant.
Coosane Pickles set a strong standard in the opening round and has a very kind draw in the first of this evening’s three heats. Drawn in the stripes, the brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney has rare pace from the second turn and will be very difficult to contain if turning close.
Boylesports Blue is seen as the main threat, although a trap five draw is less than ideal. He needs to be at his sharpest in the early yards. Coosane Pickles can come home in front at the expense of Boylesports Blue with the in-form Hawkfield Abbie chosen to fill the frame.
MAASAI A REAL WARRIOR
Tarsna Maasai was brilliant in each of his last two starts and he can continue his superb run of form in Heat 2.
Geoff Parnaby’s son of Droopys Sydney went up fast to make every inch in a 29.55 success last week and he can repeat that level of form.
Romeo Control didn’t have the clearest of passages in his opening round defeat but has plenty in his favour tonight. He can emerge as a serious rival to Tarsna Maasai. Extra Gain will be finishing fastest, while Ballyhooly Bruno displayed enough in defeat last week to suggest he will go fast in the very near future.
PAT TO CONTINUE HIS RISE TO STARDOM
Bombay Pat may have suffered defeat in the opening round but displayed enough for Boylesports to cut him for Derby glory.
The Graham Holland trained tracker flew into the turn to set a strong gallop, only to be picked up late by the aforementioned Coosane Pickles.
A week on, Bombay Pat should have a clearer path to glory in the last of the three heats. That’s not to say he doesn’t have a couple of noteworthy rivals. Toolmaker Note can really run, especially if finding room to race in the early yards, while Gneevebawn Girl displayed awesome pace in defeat in the opening round. Throw in Tookmaker Curio, Born To Perform and Jades Rocket and it is a wonderful way to finish proceedings. Bombay Pat seems to be on an upward trajectory and he is selected to dictate from early. The battle for second could be tighter.
KNEGARE TO POWER HIS WAY TO VICTORY
As mentioned earlier, Bockos Diamond and Callaway Knegare are in action and both look the part in their respective semi-finals of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Open 550.
While both have a bigger target in mind, connections will be keen that their stars continue their superb run of form.
Callaway Knegare lines out in the opening heat and has been handed an ideal draw on the fence. While he is likely to start a warm favourite, he can’t afford any mistakes with a number of high-class rivals to take on. Short Grip will look to set a strong gallop up the middle of the track, while Dark Dilemma, Antigua Hawk and Cheap Sandwiches can also go up fast. It will be interesting to see how close Callaway Knegare can turn.
Given his incredible pace and power, he will be very difficult to contain if turning within striking distance.
DIAMOND SET TO SPARKLE AGAIN
Bockos Diamond, on the other hand, will be aiming to dominate in the second heat.
The shortest priced ante-post favourite for Derby glory of modern times, he will be expected to come home in front if avoiding any mistakes at trap rise.
The extra twenty-five yards into the turn will only play to his strength and he is selected to get the better of Seven Beach for the second time. The pair will dominate the betting and are expected to dominate in the race itself. Bockos Diamond can take another step towards superstardom but making every inch.