TIME GREYHOUND NUTRITION DERBY ACTION TO HEAT UP AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
After a mammoth opening round, which included twenty-four heats, the field for the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Confined A4 Derby has been halved to seventy-two runners and tonight will see the second round heats get underway at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.
There was certainly some fine displays in the opening round, as you would expect given the huge prizemoney on offer, however, the specified 28.90 rule has really opened this competition up for the ordinary owner and trainer and it’s worth noting that four will qualify from each of the twelve heats on offer later tonight, with forty-eight greyhounds advancing into next week’s third round.
HEAT WATCH
Heat 1 – Sir Rodger posted a fine 28.91 last time out for Michael Keating and he will be the one to beat in the opening heat of the night. Quickly into stride when clocking a 1.28 sectional, any reproduction of that will see him dictate and he is the best drawn tracker in the line-up as the sole wide seed in six. Of his main rivals, Crokers Captain looks like the most likely to challenge on the run-up and he too ran a fine race in defeat to his kennel companion last time out. Glengar Petsy is another to keep an eye on after catching the eye in defeat last Saturday.
Heat 2 – Avongate Sturdy is riding the crest of a wave at present and he duly made it four wins from his last four starts last time out. That said, he will have his work cut out in order to maintain his streak and will certainly need to sharpen up on his 1.52 sectional to figure. Adamant Mia is still only an October puppy and made it three wins from six starts for John and Seamus Rainsford last time out. She is still improving and is a likely leader in this contest from a suitable draw in three. Another of interest here is Hollyhill Walko in one, who finished at speed to come out the wrong side of a photo finish in the opening round.
Heat 3 – In the third heat of the night, the vote goes to Group Goldstar, who will be looking to go one better than her second place finish behind Cream Cracker. On that occasion, the daughter of Ballymac Wild posted a fast 28.90 estimate and anything close to that would suffice this time around. The likes of Siochain and Oscar The Grouch are selected to give the favourite the most to think about.
Heat 4 – Despite steering a wide course in the opening round, Unlock Queen showed buckets of ability for Brendan Matthews of Newry and she looks the one to beat in heat four. Drawn much better in six, the daughter of Grangeview Ten posted 28.97 in defeat, however, will be expected to come on for the run. Grangeview Yan is a danger as he will undoubtedly strip fitter for his first start after six months last time out, while the likes of Glamourous Woohoo, Bosra Bono and Innfield Place aren’t exactly classed as ‘also-rans’ either.
Heat 5 – Crokers Hugo made a rapid exit from trap two last time out to make every yard in 29.15 and John Croker will hope for something similar this time around. Housed in red, the son of Droopys Sydney, trained by Vincent McKenna, flew out to record 1.27 last Saturday and that is unrivaled in regard to her rivals tonight. Of said rivals, Yotota Lad has more to offer than displayed last time out, while Knockdrum Charly lost little in defeat in the opening round and must be respected for Stephen Murray.
Heat 6 – One of the quickest starts from last weekend came courtesy of On The Radio, who posted a blistering 1.22, and she will again be expected to dispute the opening yards for Gerry O’Donoghue. However, one of my eye-catchers last weekend was the Paul Hennessy-trained Airforce Rising in trap four. Out with the washing early, the strapping brindle powered to qualification and he looks capable of a bold bid this time around. Yousonofathena is another with smart claims for Jack Duff of Nenagh.
Heat 7 – Cashen Hoffa looks the one to beat in heat seven as he bids to go one better for Chris Houlihan and the Three-Stumps-Syndicate. Only a December puppy, the son of Coolavanny Hoffa showed a fine turn of speed in behind a seasoned performer in Sir Rodger in the opening round and he should take a step with the experience. Ranchers Crybaby landed her first round heat in fine style when posting 28.96 for Anthony Hamilton and she shouldn’t be too far away once again, while She Did It also caught the eye with a good finish in behind On The Radio.
Heat 8 – The Kieran Lynch-trained Gaytime Elmo failed to justify his even money favouritism in round one, however, he is likely to come on for his first race around Limerick in heat eight. There is obvious ability there and the fact that went off at a short-price would suggest he is much better than what he has produced thus far. Trumpers Del was a fine winner last Saturday as he made every yard to win in 29.00 and, given he has gone much quicker in the past, he is a strong contender for Shane Ronayne. Drumgeely Jim is another with strong claims after winning comfortably in 28.93, while De Magic Box caught the eye in defeat for Brendan Matthews and has the scope to improve.
Heat 9 – Canya Mags was one of the fastest first round winner’s and the David Flanagan-trained bitch should take all the beating in heat nine. A fine 28.91 brought up a fifth career win for the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and she has the experience to go deep in this stake. Shanavulin Oisin looks the most likely to challenge as he goes in search of a first career win for Owen McKenna.
Heat 10 – This heat is a tough one to call with several runners caught in behind eliminated heat winners in round one. Abigails Sinead was just two lengths adrift in 28.78 and is well-drawn in red to go close, while Priceless Hero chased home a 28.71 winner last week and looks to have plenty to offer. Carrigmore Dante gets the vote, however. Owned by Pat and Aoife Coffey, this heavyweight pup won in 28.92 last time out and had the added benefit of track knowledge with being a local runner.
Heat 11 – Syds Button was quickly into stride last time out and although forced to play second fiddle behind Cluas Exile in 28.68, the son of Knocknaboul Syd had excuses and can get back to winning ways in the penultimate heat. Drawn in two, expect a bold bid from ‘Syd’ as he bids to double his career tally. Of his rivals, Cabra Castro is still a maiden but that will change sooner rather than later, while Ashmore Toby is another to keep an eye on for John Boyle and Paul Hennessy.
Heat 12 – Opinions are sure to be split in the concluding heat of the night, however, the verdict goes to the versatile and consistent Cloonturk Honey in trap four. Running for the Tigue-Family-Syndicate, the daughter of Ballymac Best won her opening round assignment in 29.12 and shouldn’t be too far away if reproducing that type of time. Gouingthewrongway posted 29.00 in defeat last weekend and is drawn well for a clear run in six, while Lemon Anton is still relatively unexposed in trap one for Tom Lennon and is well housed in one to make a bold statement.