IT’S FESTIVAL TIME
Ian Fortune
For those who love greyhound racing, the next two evenings really can be equated to Christmas for a five-year-old child.
The excitement, anticipation and knowledge that something wonderful will be under the tree is all there.
The RCÉ Winter Racing Festival is now firmly established as one of the great events on the Irish greyhound racing calendar and the twenty-five races between tonight and tomorrow evening will provide countless wonderful performances.
For obvious reasons, there is much more attention on Saturday’s action but, have little doubt, there is plenty to sink your teeth into this evening including six finals. Add to that some hugely valuable open races and it will serve as the perfect starter to a great weekend.
BEACH TO FIND HIS GROOVE
Of the finals up for decision that of the Greyhound Racing Ireland A0/A1 600 and the RCETS Open 525 really do stand out.
The first named will bring the curtain down on this evening’s proceedings and it looks an absolute belter.
Flying bitches Lets Go Bubbles, Fashion Model and Docktechnik Diva all have chances but the outcome probably depends on whether the incredibly talented Ryhope Beach can put his best foot forward.
Lets Go Bubbles got loose in the semis to contain the flying finish of Ryhope Beach by a head, but the make-up of tonight’s contest does favour the latter and he will be favourite to return to winning ways.
There is no question he is hugely frustrating with the powerful son of Droopys Sydney regularly taking an extra stride for himself on the corners, especially when challenged, but it’s no exaggeration to suggest he is amongst the fastest greyhounds in training in a straight line.
Lets Go Bubbles is perhaps the most likely pace-setter, while Fashion Model and Mystical Messi will aim to turn close but the proximity of the slow starting Docktechnik Diva in five, on the immediate inside of Ryhope Beach, should afford the favourite room to maneouvre into the turn. That can make the difference and he is chosen to claim a first victory since late July.
A LOTTO WIN SOUNDS APPEALING
The RCETS Open 525 is another cracking contest with the race to the corner expected to have a huge bearing on the outcome.
Lotto Other News and Coonough Mary both posted a rapid 28.31 in their respective semi-finals and both have obvious claims.
So too do Uncle Tom and Bonkersinyonkers, while the remaining duo of Resurgan and Delirium Tremens can’t be completely ruled out, although they will be available at big prices.
Lotto Other News comes into the race in superb form and has the early speed to challenge and perhaps set the pace. If doing so, he will be difficult to pick up and is selected to lead home Coonough Mary and Uncle Tom.
WILLOW LOOKS THE PART
Forest Willow is nominated as one of the best bets on the card in the final of the Retired Greyhound Trust A1 525.
She was very classy earlier in the year and has shown signs of a return to her best in recent outings.
She was beaten just a head by Point Of Rescue in the semis but missed the start and displayed fine pace get as close as she did. Capable of going up much faster, she stands out as the one to beat. The aforementioned Point Of Rescue and Ballybough Carol can offer the most resistance.
COCO TO POP
The Talking Dogs Open Bitch 525 features a number of talented females including the early paced duo of Boylesports Coco and Role Model.
Their battle into the opening turn could prove pivotal. Laurels third Role Model will go up fast from the outside box but does tend to steer a middle to wide path and that could leave the inside to Boylesports Coco.
Supporters of Fantasy Moll, Glengar Jasmine and former UK based star Faypoint Susie will be hoping they can burn each other out up front, leaving the door open for a closer but given their respective racing lines, slight preference is for Boylesports Coco to assert up the inside of the track.
NOVA TO SHOW HIS CLASS
Nomadic Nova has been expensive to follow recently but that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the most promising greyhounds around.
It was in late September the son of Broadstrand Bono announced his arrival on the scene with a superb 28.17 return at Shelbourne Park.
He has been racing in hot company since and took a tumble in his latest start but he has his chance to return to winning ways this evening. With Kapuka Warrior likely to edge inwards from four, Nomadic Nova should find himself with room to race and that could be bad news for his rivals.
Foggy Bottom can fly up the fence and looks a potential pace-setter, while the aforementioned Kapuka Warrior is also likely to race prominently but in terms of pure pace, neither can match Nomadic Nova.
LYNX TO POUNCE
The penultimate race is a tremendous 550yd contest with all six runners capable of having a say.
The betting is likely to be headed by Pennys Lynx and Simons Cap. Both are very strong and they line up side by side on the fence.
The promising Azurite also has the pace to have a big say but she needs to find a start from trap four. Domana Dano is also capable of running a big race as highlighted by his superb heat victory in the Leger at Limerick.
The draw is in favour of Pennys Lynx, however. The Rosemary Price trained son of Droopys Sydney is a half-brother to Susie Sapphire, has an ideal draw on the fence and was a real eye-catcher last time, showing all sorts of pace and power. For all these reasons, he is selected to turn close to the pace before powering his way to victory.
BALLYMUN BOY TO SHOOT CLEAR
There should be quite a battle into the turn in the This Runs Deep Open 525.
Capitan Garfio, Glory Baz, Lilywhite Queen and Ballymun Boy are all noted for their early speed and whichever of the quartet urns in front will be very difficult to reel in.
The pin has fallen on Ballymun Boy despite the fact that he would prefer a rails pitch. Peter Sutcliffe’s charge is capable of a flying exit. The son of Droopys Sydney ran a huge race to dead-heat in a sprint last time. He is clearly very well in himself and is selected to take charge into the bend before going on to secure a victory over his main market rival and Laurels finalist Glory Baz.
OZARK TO FLY
Early speed could again be the key to success for Hawkfield Ozark as he makes his Irish return in the Veteran’s race.
The 2022 Irish Sprint Cup Champion went on to be a star in the UK, capturing the Laurels earlier in the year.
A noted fast starter with superb early speed, he looks certain to turn in front. The talented Churchtown Syd and recent Gold Collar winner Fernandes are both capable of playing a big part but whether they will be able to pick up Hawkfield Ozark is debatable.
John McGee clearly has Hawkfield Ozark ready to race as he moved well in a couple of recent sprint trials. He can dominate to see off his rivals.
BRAXTON GETS THE NOD
Ballymac Braxton is a tentative choice in the WRF A3 decider, the second race on the card.
He was just a half length faster than another semi-final winner Highview Smart last weekend, while both Silver Strand and the well-housed Sing Hallelujah could potentially get involved in one of the most competitive races on the card.
However, Ballymac Braxton gets the nod. As with many of his rivals, he is lightly raced and open to much improvement. Should he trap on terms, he has the pace to slip around in front and that can see him lead home Silver Strand.
SCHEFFLER TO HOLE OUT
Scotty Scheffler, much like his golfing namesake, is a wonderful front-runner as was highlighted in his wonderful 28.47 semi-final success.
Ray Melia’s charge need only repeat that form in the final of the Shelbourne Regulars A2/A3 to come home in front.
From an ideal draw on the fence, the son of Dorotas Wildcat can get first run on Jirano Jetstream, Galway John and Noirs Best before coming home clear.
KAI A UNANIMOUS CHOICE
The Volksbank Open 525, the tenth race on the card, is another wide open affair with so much depending on the start.
Unanimous Kai was a wonderful winner of an open unraced stake at Shelbourne last month but has been out of luck since.
If he can repeat his best form, he would be hard to stop. Good Hope faces a tough draw but he too has shown plenty of promise and is respected, while Kilcolgan Chief has been in flying form and has the best of the draw on the rail.
NEON TO STAR OVER 750
The high-class Neon Lights is an intriguing runner in the valuable Barking Buzz App Novice 750.
He ran up the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate earlier in the year and has won a race over 620yds around Dundalk.
Should his stamina hold out, he can emerge as the one to beat? Stepitoutjulia is another that looks likely to appreciate the extra yards and is nominated as the main danger. Orchid Queen and Delightful Izzy are difficult to assess but can’t be completely dismissed.
LASSIE TO COME HOME
An inside draw can also work in favour of Bisto Lassie in the opener, the final of the Winter Racing Festival A4 525.
She was marginally faster than her rivals in the semi finals and can again make all from a kind draw. Of her rivals, her kennel companion Bisto Duke and Gunner Lad can emerge as the main dangers.