CARRICK ALDO THE SELECTION IN IRISH LAURELS DECIDER AT CURRAHEEN PARK
Barry Drake
Massive crowds are expected in Curraheen Park tonight as the €30,000 to the winner Bar One Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels takes centre stage.
Both Carrick Aldo and Jacktavern Bolt will start as favourites and both have impressed in recent weeks, delivering plenty of top-class performances along the way. In an open decider, a narrow vote goes to the David Murray-trained Carrick Aldo. Owned by Thomas Glynn, the Dundalk Irish Sprint Cup Champion has yet to produce a flying start, but he is displaying huge early speed. A 28.20 winner in the semi-final, if he can get away to one of his better starts, he will make them all go from the outside of the track.
10 STRAIGHT WINS
A recent winner of the Kasko A1 Derby, Jacktavern Bolt, trained by Graham Holland for the Pillar Syndicate, is chasing 10 straight wins and he's a major contender for Laurels success.
A 28.20 winner last week, he's drawn the red jacket for the first time and he will need to be paw perfect, but he's very capable and he's sure to attract plenty of support.
THREE IN THE FINAL
Trainer Graham Holland has three in the final, both Glory Baz and High Trend are other high-class performers and they can't be ruled out.
Drawn in two, High Trend will be looking for the inside line early so Jacktavern Bolt can afford any mistakes along the inside if he's to land the spoils.
OUTSIDER
Role Model will start as outsider for trainer Owen McKenna.
Second, in the recent final of the Dave Collins Munster Oaks, she's delivered some fine performances in recent weeks and she has the early pace to get involved.
28.07 WINNER
That leaves us with Eazy Razzle for local connections, trainer Johnny Linehan and owner Barry Rocks.
A 28.07 winner in the opening round, the Munster Oaks Champion has since shown plenty of pace in defeat, running a remarkable race behind Jacktavern Bolt last week. If there's any trouble up front, the powerful performer would most likely take full advantage.
KINGPIN
Romeo Kingpin, trained by Graham Holland for David Firmagner, is selected to land the €10,000 to the winner final of the Bart Leahy Memorial A2 stake.
A 28.49 winner in the semi-final, on that running, he will take plenty of beating.
Sponsors betting: 13-8 Carrick Aldo, 15-8 Jacktavern Bolt, 4-1 Glory Baz, 6-1 High Trend, 8-1 Eazy Razzle and 25-1 Role Model.
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It can be a good night for the Graham Holland kennels, Gaytime Hugo is the selection in the third of the night for the Riverside kennels and owner Stephanie O'Connell. Such a pacey performer, he has strong recent form and he can get the better of Good Maestro.
In the 11th of the night, Romeo Hanzo can make all the running for the Holland's. Ballinakill Alf and Swords Rex are others that will be popular on the night for the Champion trainer.
Curraheen Park selections for Saturday, October, 14.
Race 1: Dorotas Boy (Cronody Llama)
Race 2: Ballinakill Alf (Burgess Jack)
Race 3: Gaytime Hugo (Good Maestro)
Race 4: Barefoot On Fire (Droopys Drape)
Race 5: Bogger Rambo (Droopys Beglin)
Race 6: Carrick Aldo (Jacktavern Bolt)
Race 7: Romeo Kingpin (Millridge Nadia)
Race 8: Bredas Wood (Bockos Crystal)
Race 9: Threesixfive (Kinturk Road)
Race 10: Swords Rex (Nap) (Grouchos Vic)
Race 11: Romeo Hanzo (Millridge Levi)
Race 12: Clonmore Alice (Filibustor)
*****Greyhound Racing Ireland are offering FREE ENTRY to anyone who wears a rugby jersey to Curraheen Park on the night with the Ireland v New Zealand Rugby World Cup match being shown live on big screens both upstairs and downstairs at the track.
Racing is set to get underway at 7.20pm.