Better Call Caul: Laurels take centre stage in Cork
With the Irish Greyhound Derby now behind us, our focus shifts to the Laurels in Cork. Won last year by One Time Only, the roll of honour includes track icons such as the great Spanish Battleship, Sonic Flight, Tyrur Ted, and Rockybay Foley, who won twice in 2018 and 2019.
The 12 first-round heats will commence this Saturday night at the County Cork venue with four to qualify from each heat, leaving us with a field of 48 for round two. Skywalker Barry, a recent Irish Derby semifinalist, is the star name in heat two on Saturday evening.
The third heat is a cracking contest with Swords Rex fancied to get the better of Wi Can Dream and Bulletfromagun. One Time Only gets his defence underway in heat four, where he races from his beloved red jacket – he should go well in that heat.
Sizzling early pacer Serene Ace will look to make all in heat five, where Galloping Sydney looks to be his main danger. Consolation Derby winner Cryptopunk looks to have most to fear from kennel mate Bockos Budsit in heat seven, but both should qualify for round two. The 2021 Sprinter of the Year, Good Cody, is the one to be on in heat nine, and the final heat should go the way of Droopys Edison.
We will preview the eight second round heats in more detail in next week’s piece.
Juvenile Derby at Shelbourne Park
The Juvenile Derby reaches the quarter Final stage this Saturday night at Shelbourne, it is safe to say the future looks bright after some stellar performances last weekend, including some very eye-catching runs in defeat. Velasco for trainer Owen McKenna was the fastest of the second-round winners stopping the clock in 28:07, however, Romeo Hanzo who finished runner-up in that red-hot contest displayed unbelievable pace and looks one to keep on the right side off. Other impressive winners on the night were Oak’s winner Raha Mofo (28:15), Three Canons (28:18) and Droopys Got It (28:17).
All the action will be available live this Saturday night on Racing Post Greyhound TV. The Yvonne Barry Open 600 also gets underway at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night with Droopys Nextone (22:12 GMT) the best bet of the opening round heats.
Juvenile Derby Quarter Final 1
Bens Teddy has a decent advantage on the clock over his rivals with Paradise Nikibel in six an obvious danger. Trinity Junior was sensational in the opening rounds and will make them all go if reproducing that effort. It may be worth focusing on the outside runners Paradise Nikibel and Trinity Junior, with slight preference for Trinity Junior to come out on top.
Juvenile Derby Quarter Final 2
The second of the heats is undoubtedly the hottest on paper with last weeks impressive scorers Velasco and Droopys Got It going head-to-head. Three Canons splits the pair running from box two, he too won well last weekend. For me Romeo Hanzo was a real eyecatcher last weekend and I think he can take the second heat at a decent price.
Juvenile Derby Quarter Final 3
Another Holiday and Clona Duke will dominate the market in heat three. Another Holiday has an excellent race record of seven wins from eight starts and is perfectly drawn in red. Clona Duke has only had the five career starts and is highly likely to improve on what we have seen so far, but it will take a big performance to beat Another Holiday here. Romeo Command is another improving youngster and can take the bronze medal.
Juvenile Derby Quarter Final 4
It seems like a while ago that Raha Mofo won the Sporting Press Irish Oaks and its hard to believe she was a puppy when doing so, back in with her own age company after a failed Derby attempt, she has flourished back over the oaks distance. She has an ace draw in six and got the better of Radical Hero last weekend who reopposes again with Bogger Hunter not out of it from trap five.
Oaks at Perry Barr
Twelve first round heats of the Oaks are first up at Perry Barr on Thursday where Fabulous Azzura is currently your $8 favorite to lift the title, she goes in heat five. Heat three is one of the stronger first round heats and it could pay to side with Roanna Storm to get the better of Moments Of Magic. The in-form Droopys Samantha is the one to be on in heat four, she has won her last two starts and her recent trial form has been exceptional. Front Pasha and Slick Sakina are the pair to focus on in heat seven with slight preference for Front Pasha. Heat eight looks like a minefield for punters with plenty of them capable of big runs. Best bet on the card could be Trumpers Lola in heat nine, there will be a few storming home in that race but hopefully Lola can have put the race to bed by the third bend.
Steel City Cup at Sheffield
Three semifinals of the Steel City Cup will take place at Sheffield on Saturday evening. Outright favorite Brookside Richie goes in the first semi, he is well fancied to see off the likes of Trickys Rocket and Freedom Epic. The second heat is a wide-open affair with Signet Goofy well drawn out in six; a member of the fabulous Magical Bale x Forest Natalee pack, he is selected to get the better of Anynamewilldo, who should finish well. The last of the semifinals will be dominated by the inside runners with the early lead all important, Droopys Yogi and Move Over Cha should battle it out in the early yards and for me the draw swings it in favor of Droopys Yogi.
Weekend’s best bets
We are on a bit of a streak, as our last six selections have all won. Here are our picks for this weekend’s action.
Saturday, Shelbourne – 22:12
Greyhound
Droopys Niceone
Bet Type
Win
Stake
2 unit