TRAPRISE - Shelbourne returns for Explosive Derby opener

High temperatures saw a very light racing programme throughout the past week but set for a return to established schedules now, that break in action can prove the calm before the storm as Shelbourne Park returns with the opening round heats of the 2022 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby on this Friday and Saturday.

156 names entered the drum for Monday’s first round draw and among those were five from the Moneygall kennels of Pat Guilfoyle who will carry the bulk of our local hopes in the blue riband of the sport.

Favourite for last year's Derby, Explosive Boy will captain the Guilfoyle team as he bids to return to the final having endured a luckless passage in the 2021 decider. Following a light campaign this season, the reigning Dog of the Year appears primed for the Derby having claimed a thrilling victory in the Dundalk International last time out. Soon to take up fulltime stud duties, the affectionately nicknamed Bertie, could well sign off on his astounding racing career with the biggest victory of all.

Shortest of the Guilfoyle challengers in the market, 2021 Irish Sprint Cup hero Good Cody is 12/1 for outright victory and certainly appears to have had his season crafted for a Derby tilt. Con & Annie Kirby runner-up Magical Kuba is attractive at 40/1 in the market. Possessing the raw ability to rival any in the field, any sharpening of his track craft could make those odds look very generous.

On the same mark as Explosive Boy at 16-1, the last outing for Vincenzo was when bounding to a stunning victory in the Shelbourne Champion 550, posting a sizzling 29.27 and hugely progressive in recent months, he is a big player on a circuit that he clearly appreciates. Completing the Moneygall challenge will be Juvenile Classic champion Wi Can Dream. A supreme talent who has been pestered with injury concerns since his stunning career start, a recent comeback run at Shelbourne will hopefully see him edge closer to his best form.

Another of last year’s finalists, the hugely popular William Rigney & Richard Brown owned All About Ted also returns for another Derby tilt and lightly campaign with only the biggest events of the sport on his radar, the Peter Cronin trained star will have many supporters at fancy odds of 66/1.

Jim extends impressive strike rate ahead of Derby

Last week’s suspension of racing affords us the opportunity to catch up with some of the most notable local performances of late and as prolific as any within a hugely entertaining and competitive racing campaign, Tom & Charlie Bourke’s Ballygraigue Jim (Silverhill Shay-Newlawn Minie) made a return to Curraheen Park in Cork a fortnight ago when registering his fourteenth race victory.

With a total of 34 races for the July 2019 whelp, the Vincent McKenna trained strong runner reached the elite AA0 grade for four bend racing when posting 30.04 (-20) for the 550-yards at Galway in June but with just a sole previous race over 750-yards, which was also in Cork, Ballygraigue Jim remained extremely well graded for the longer trips when allowed to contest at D4 level this time.

The race itself could hardly have been more straightforward as the McKenna charge found a smart break from trap 4 and immediately establishing a lead on the short run to the opening bend, turned with three lengths in hand over his closest pursuer and would race in isolation along the home straight for the first time. Reaching his six and a half length winning margin before halfway, Ballygraigue Jim enjoyed a virtual solo passage and remaining unbeaten over the trip, posted 42.73 (+20) in his dominant score.

That winning time brings only a small rise to D3 for future staying events and given his four grade higher mark at shorter, there can be ample scope to further plunder prizes over six bends following his upcoming Irish Derby tilt which commences this weekend.

Powering to Open class

Another to miss out on deserved column inches amidst a fruitful period for local kennels of late was Abigail Morrissey’s Abigails Power (Belles Direction-Geelo Lulu) when advancing to a career best while going back-to-back over 525-yards at Galway.

A strong stayer over the standard trip, the August 2019 whelp took advantage of an ease to A2 last time out for a thrilling ninth race win but taking his tally to double figures last Saturday week, the Morrissey stalwart will bid that level farewell following his latest success which will see him join the Open ranks over four bends for the first time.

Breaking on level terms from trap 4, Abigails Power showed the best early dash when edging to a narrow lead throughout the initial exchanges and making a gradual drift towards the inside, seized command of the rails before reaching the opening bend. Tackling the turns with a length in hand, that same margin at the top of the backstraight was more than sufficient in win terms as the Morrissey charge was certain to do his best work beyond that point. Duly powering to the closing bends, Abigails Power drew readily clear in dismissive fashion along the home stretch and extending to a facile seven and three-quarter length verdict at the line, posted a very smart 28.80 (-20).

That time will see him rise to a career high of A0 next time but if repeating his smart start, that level will not prove daunting for the hugely consistent performer.