TRAPRISE - Duke advances in astounding Juvenile Derby

There could be little argument that the 2023 renewal of the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby is the hottest ever seen and amidst a host of future racing stars, the latest young revelation on our local racing scene safely negotiated his way to quarter final stage as the Paddy Last Syndicate’s Grouchos Duke (Grangeview Ten-Mystical Luna) secured a precious qualifying place in the second-round heats at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.

An opening round winner in 28.19 when improving on his sensational debut time of 28.23 for the 525-yards, the John Byrne trained December 2021 whelp was well housed in trap 1 on Saturday but with slick early pace on his outside, was quickly embroiled in a tight tussle for supremacy along the rails on the run to the corner

Briefly headed by both Unmatched and Droopys Zelda, Grouchos Duke would take a bump from that latter rival when ushered back to a two length second before reaching the backstraight but impressing on the run to the closing bends, had closed to the tail of the leader before again finding the door shut by eventual winner Droopys Zelda. Chasing the winner to the line thereafter when surrendering second to Unmatched close home, Grouchos Duke went down by a length and a quarter in 28.37 and will have pleased all with game battling qualities in addition to his obvious elite speed.

Emphasising the near incredulous depth within the Juvenile Derby this year, the 28.00 barrier was breached twice in Saturday’s heats with Liam Dowling’s De Ladedah going quickest in 27.78, the third fastest time ever for the 525-yards at Shelbourne Park, before Gerry Merriman’s Highview Splash closed the heats with 27.97.

Grouchos Duke has avoided those hotpots in the quarter final draw but with no straightforward assignment in such a hot event, he will need to overcome a tricky draw in trap 5 for the second heat this Saturday.

Hope fastest at Galway

Uncharacteristically out of the frame the last twice as one of the most consistent performers on the local racing scene, Abigail Morrissey’s Abigails Hope (Premier Fantasy-Geelo Lu Lu) was back to winning ways at Galway on Saturday when fastest in the opening round heats of the Talking Dogs A2 Tri Distance Stake.

Always a strong runner over 525-yards, the November 2020 whelp was ideally housed in trap 1 this time and having produced her best break, would always prove extremely tough to contain once defending her rails pitch to the corner. Turning on the inside of a tightly packed field, the Morrissey stalwart eased to a two-length lead at the top of the backstraight and maintaining a powerful gallop, thereafter, struck the line with three lengths to spare in 29.05 (-10).

With her career best performances coming at further, Abigails Hope will appreciate the extra yards of future rounds in the event and as such, is a strong fancy to build on this eleventh race win.

A host of local kennels advanced to the next round of competition over the past week which included the Middle Aisle Syndicate’s Oaklands Lad (Pat C Sabbath-Killeen Princess) when a six-length third in his semi-final of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust A3 525 Stake at Dundalk behind a 28.71 winner.

However, there was greater fortune on the night for the Ballinderry kennels of PJ Tynan as Hillstreet Puma (Pat C Sabbath-Holiday Madge) produced a new personal best when landing the Bet Into Shelbourne Park A3 525 on that same Dundalk card.

Last successful at the same level in mid-August, the Pat O’Connor owned September 2020 whelp was back to his best breaking form from trap 3 this time and leading on the short run to the corner, turned with a length in hand before doubling that advantage to halfway. Retaining that lead to the home stretch, Hillstreet Puma would come under threat from a strong staying rival close home but retained ample resolve for a half-length verdict in 28.86 and will rise to A1 next time.

Star may be the One

A kennel that has remained in sparkling form throughout the summer months, Robert Moloney guided his Nannys Star (Good News-Laughil Abby) to victory in the semi-finals of the Galway Greyhound Stadium A7 525 Stake and will take leading claims to this week’s final showdown which will also feature John O’Meara’s Ballygibbon One having chased the Roscrea winner home in third place on Friday.

A previous A8 winner out west, the Moloney October 2021 whelp went close again last time out but despite headed throughout the early exchanges following a moderate start from trap 2, she would crucially retain third position around the opening bends.

Checked while turning ahead of Ballygibbon One, Nannys Star had all of five lengths to recover on an early paced leader with the O’Meara April 2022 pup a further three lengths adrift to the backstraight.

Both our local challengers would, however, confirm strong running qualities beyond halfway and off the home bend, Nannys Star ranged up to lead on the inside before running out a snug half-length winner in 29.85 (-10) with Ballygibbon One (Ballymac Cashout-Sive To One) flying late while just a further one length back.

The opposing semi-final was claimed in 29.81 (-10) so clearly this Friday’s final will be a tight affair but granted clear passage, both hold highly realistic claims for victory.