Good Cody favourite for Shelbourne Gold Cup after stunning semi
Good Cody will go to boxes a short-priced favourite to land the first major event of the year at Shelbourne Park when the final of the RCETS Gold Cup comes to a conclusion this Saturday night. The son of Definite Opinion is a grandson of Australian star Surf Lorian.
Trained by Patrick Guilfoyle for John Kennedy Good Cody flew from traps to make all in 28:13 for the 480m, this in fact is the fastest run around Shelbourne Park this year and if he can repeat that performance again in this weekend's final, it's impossible to see him suffer defeat, however five others will try.
The first semi final was won by Serene Ace in 28:47, seeing off Storys Direct and Macho Pride, but although he has almost five lengths to find on Good Cody on the clock, he does possess the most early pace in the line up and getting to the front over the 480m trip at Shelbourne is vital.
So, let's break it down. Good Cody once leading at the first bend over the trip is unbeaten, he's four from four, and if he leads again on Saturday, it's game over; however, he has turned second at the first bend on eight occasions and only won two of those.
Where is he likely to turn on Saturday? No better than second, in our opinion. Serene Ace looks the likely leader – and make no mistake, he will need to lead by two or three lengths at halfway – but he's more than capable of doing so and for that reason alone he gets the nod to make all in what should be a thrilling final.
Knight Tornado and Skywalker Barry are both very capable on their day, while Macho Pride and Storys Direct will both need luck in running.
The Shelbourne Park card will be broadcast live by Racing Post Greyhound Television (RPGTV) and can be streamed on sportystuff.tv from 19:00 UK time.
RCETS Gold Cup draw and odds
- Skywalker Barry ($6.50)
- Serene Ace ($4)
- Knight Tornado ($6.50)
- Macho Pride ($21)
- Good Cody ($1.71)
- Storys Direct ($21)
Stars stepping out at Shelbourne
As you would expect, there are a host of star performers on show on the undercard at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.
Crokers Sambo takes a drop in grade in the second race on the card (19:34) and is fancied to make all from the inside box.
Allovertheworld and Thirtyninewinks go head-to-head in the final of the Rasaiocht Con Eireann A0 480 at 21:38. Thirtyninewinks showed massive pace from the second bend in last week's semi-final, but Allovertheworld is a puppy with huge early pace and should set a strong gallop.
Allforthebest makes his first start of 2022 when he faces some star performers in the tenth race at 21:50. Last seen when winning at the winter racing festival, the strong-running son of Vulturi will need to be near his best if he's to beat the like of Auxerre, Magical Mary, and Coolavanny Blaze.
Rex puts rivals to the sword in Clonmel Unraced Stake
Back at the start of the year we mentioned that the Rural Kennels Unraced Stake at Clonmel usually throws up a future star, and it's looking increasingly likely that we may have seen more than one over the past couple of weeks.
The semi finals took place last Sunday night and Swords Rex, a July 2020 son of current wonder sire Droopys Sydney and Starry Display, flew from traps to make all in a flying 28:01 for the 480m trip.
To put this run into perspective, it's the quickest run over the distance for the last five years. RCETS Gold Cup favourite Good Cody clocked 28:09 and 28:20 around Clonmel last year and he's one of the fastest in training.
It's also impossible to forget that Swords Rex is only 19 months old and there could be any amount of improvement left to come from the Graham Holland-trained youngster.
Droopys Nice One landed the other semi final when making all to beat Postman Cat by six lengths in 28:30. The final takes place this Sunday evening, with a winner's prize of Au$10,000.
Rural Kennels ON2/ON3 Unraced Stake field
- Postman Cat
- Swords Rex
- Clonbrien Thelma
- Droopys Nice One
- Priceless King
- Blueway Best
Greyhound Racing Ireland 2021 National Greyhound Award nominees
The nominees for Greyhound Racing Ireland's 2021 awards were unveiled during the week. There will be eight awards in total and the ceremony will take place on March 13. Categories and nominees are as follows.
Dog of the Year: Explosive Boy, Good Cody, Skywalker Barry
Bitch of the Year: Billys Diva, Singalong Sally, Susie Sapphire
Sprinter of the Year: Ela Supremo, Good Cody, Two Amigos
Stayer of the Year: Dana Point, Generous Angel, Priceless Jet
Brood Bitch of the Year: Jaytee Sahara, Jetstream Lynx, Whitings Gift.
Stud Dog of the Year: Droopys Sydney, Droopys Jet, Laughill Blake.
Future Star: Crafty Kokoro, Susie Sapphire, Twoinarow.
Also, Supreme Greyhound of the Year award to be announced on the night.
2022 National Coursing meeting
The 2022 National Coursing meeting gets underway at Clonmel this Friday and will be run over four days.
Of course, due to COVID-19 restrictions we had no finals meeting in 2021, so this year will see a 2021 Oaks and Derby run alongside the 2022 version.
There will be six stakes up for decision starting with the Champion Bitch Stakes, followed by the Champion Dogs Stakes, Oaks (2019 whelps), Derby (2019 whelps), Oaks (2020 whelps) and Derby (2020 whelps).
In order for a dog to book its place at the national meeting, they must win one of the many regional events run throughout the country over the winter. The races are then run as a straight knockout to decide the overall winner of each competition.
Some 64 runners will compete in each Oaks/Derby event until we whittle it down to just one winner. Draws for all competitions are available by visiting irishcoursingclub.ie.
Golden Jacket starts Saturday at Crayford
A longstanding event on the UK greyhound calendar, the Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket kicks off on Saturday morning at Crayford.
It is a unique event for a couple of reasons. It's run over the 714m trip and consists of eight bends of the tight London venue. Another unique factor is that the event is usually run in the morning. This Saturday's first round heats kick off at 11:07 UK time and can be streamed live on sportystuff.tv.
Warzone Tom is the current antepost favourite at $8, and if his stamina holds out, he looks a big price for outright glory. The long run up to the bend suits him and when leading it's a tough track to peg back front runners.
Weekend's best bets
Crayford Saturday:
- Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket – Warzone Tom, one unit antepost @ $8
Shelbourne Park Saturday:
- Crokers Sambo, one unit win (19:34 UK time)
- Serene Ace, two units win (21:24)
- Allforthebest, one unit win (21:50)
Good shout in the final 👏 Oh so unlucky