Tyrur Enda the pick in star-studded Derby heat
Some stars are guaranteed to make their exit and there will be particular pressure in Heat 7.
Tyrur Enda, Tullymurry Act, Farley Blitz and Skywalker Queen all have the potential to go all the way in the classic but only the strongest - or the luckiest - will survive in this contest tonight.
Based on the belief that early pace is half the battle, PJ Fahy’s Tyrur Enda can lead the way into the third round.
For betting propositions this evening, the best suggestions are Westmead Grant, Kiowa Myth, Definate Opinion and Barefoot Bullet.
Westmead Grant has the ideal draw in the six box in the second heat and, with the likelihood of some very close racing on the inside, Fraser Black’s dog can make full use of his colossal pace.
Mossie O’Connor appears to be peaking the Yank, Kiowa Myth at just the right time. He was a trifle unlucky last week but showed enough to suggest the best is about to come. The red jacket In Heat 4 could be just what the doctor ordered and he can lead home Foyle Storm and Dromore Hero.
The odds will be short about Pat Guilfoyle’s Definate Opinion in Heat 5 but he should have too much power and class for Blazers Black and Clonkeen Stan while Paul Hennessy’s Barefoot Bullet can turn around first round placings with Ballymac Tipp in Heat 8.
The rest of the stars will be engaged in the second session of eight heats on Saturday when we will see the likes of Colorful Champ, Monlesa Alsation, Farley Turbo, Tyrur Big Mike, Makeshift, Mesedo Blue, Fatboyz Tyson and company attempting to progress.
I haven’t yet had any reason to change my original thoughts in nominating Definate Opinion, Tyrur Big Mike and Barefoot Bullet as the top three but there is an increasing feeling that Farley Turbo is going to be a mighty big player!
Meanwhile, the Irish Greyhound Board yesterday announced the introduction from Monday next of a new category of Mini-Open races and sweepstakes. The Mini-Opens will basically cater for dogs that have broken the open times over a particular distance but are not quite up to the highest open standard.
The basic qualification times for the Mini-Opens will be 16.30 (300), 17.60 (325), 18.90 (350), 21.50 (400), 28.70 (525), 30.05 (550), 31.75 (600), 39.20 (700), 42.20 (750), 45.80 (810).
There will be a classic final at Dundalk on Sunday with a high class field of sprinters due to contest the final of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup.
The big one in this line-up is the unbeaten Michael Taggart trained Sheepwalk Mac but he will have huge opposition from Jim Morrissey's Carlows Pride and Pat Buckley's Slick Citi.
Tomorrow night the Tralee card will include the finals of the Paddy Byrne Memorial and the Con Murphy Memorial. In the Byrne decider cases can be made for most of the runners but one had to be impressed with Liam Dowling's Ballymac Lefanta last week and he can again lead home Crafty Fandango.
Also tomorrow there will be a big meeting at Newbridge featuring the first round heats of the Texacloth Puppy Derby, an event that invariably throws up contenders for the leading national puppy events. Trying to spot the stars this time is quite a task but obvious contenders would be Tubbertelly Dubh, Kerrydale Lar, Westmead Maco, Tolerton Crasher and Fatboyz Basil.
Incidentally, the auction didn’t go ahead at Harolds Cross last Sunday and the two pups will now be auctioned at Newbridge tomorrow in aid of the Kilimanjaro Trek for Crumlin Childrens Hospital. The pups are a 14 week-old dog by Ace Hi Rumble/ Droopys Dakota donated by the Dunphy Kennels and a fourteen week old bitch puppy by Home Town Boy/ Tyrur Audrey donated by P.J. Fahy. The pups will be sold on the night.
