Saturday will be considered one of the best racing days of the year yet with so many Superstars racing on both sides of the Irish Sea. Of course, the English Derby in Towcester continues with the third round and the Irish will try to continue their enormous form through the classic as two major competitions come to an end on this side of the water.
Ireland’s best female talent will take to the action at Shelbourne Park on Saturday as the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks draws to a close as Tralee hosts the SIS Race of Champions finals.
As a nation, Ireland has a reputation for breeding and rearing the very best greyhounds in the world, so the Oaks have a special place on the calendar. So many of the best bloodlines will be featured in the € 25,000 to the winner decision and there seems little doubt that those in the field will throw some future stars as they retire to the paddocks.
The big two in the bets are Billy’s Diva and Front Amani. The two triumphed in their respective semifinals and are among the fastest trackers in training, both male and female. So much will depend on the opening exchanges, but it seems likely that Susie Sapphire will dictate the pace of an ideal tie on the fence.
The youngster of the six finalists, Susie Sapphire, who will only turn two in November, is blessed with enormous starting speed, although she is not as strong as many of her rivals. That strength could come in the future, but whether it can stop Billy’s Diva, Scooby Princess, Ballydoyle Rossa or Front Amani when they tear themselves away from behind her seems unlikely.
Instead, it may come down to which of the remaining competitors at Susie Sapphire can get the first run. With that in mind, Billy’s diva could be the one to follow. Already a finalist at the National Puppy Stake, the Easter Cup and the Shelbourne Open 600, the brilliant daughter of Good News is certainly due to a great racing success. She gets the nods over front Amani and Susie Sapphire.
Tralee’s action will certainly be spearheaded by the SIS Race of Champions finals. Following his recent win in Product Stakes, Explosive Boy will be looking to claim his second grand prize in as many weeks. The star, coached by Pat Guilfoyle, is truly a special talent and his semifinals were proof of that.
He not only mastered a top-class field with flying colors, but also broke the existing track record. Notably, it was his first 550-meter start and he’s now a hot favorite to win Saturday’s € 15,000 and establish himself as one of the foremost crushers for Irish derby glory later in the year.
That doesn’t mean he’ll have everything his own way tonight. Explosive Boy is drawn in five and has to do everything right, while early speedster Deadly Samuri is drawn on his immediate interior while formidable semi-final winner Ballymac Merlin is also destined for the future.
Both the Oaks and the Race of Champions can be followed live on the Greyhound Racing Ireland streaming service Talking dogs TVwhich is available at half price this weekend.
Across the Irish Sea, in the competition for the first time, all remaining participants will be in action in the third round of the English Derby that same night. Ireland is responsible for seventeen of the forty-eight participants and luckily they have been spread over the eight runs.
In fact, depending on market movements, the Irish could be favorites in up to six of the eight runs. With the field halved to 24 entrants tonight, it is hoped Ireland could be responsible for almost half of the qualifications.
In terms of numbers, Britain is certainly at an advantage, but the strength of the Irish challenge remains enormously impressive. In fact, twelve of the top 21 bets are Irish. These are Native Maestro, Newinn Session, Knocknaboul Syd, Ballymac Fairone, Ballymac Wild, Ballymac Ariel, Ballymac Kingdom, Beach Avenue, De Machine, Unlock Unlock, Toolmaker Sydney and the defending champion Deerjet Sydney.
With luck, the vast majority of names will make it to the quarter-finals draw as Ireland pursues a third straight English Derby win and a fourth in six years. Good luck to everyone involved.
