In today’s Weekly Review, Paul Blake looks back at the Category 1 action. On Friday the ‘Classic’ reached the final stage at Sunderland with all eyes on Bramble Linton and Brindle Bully. The Irish Derby advanced to the semi-finals at Shelbourne Park on Saturday as Droopys Kathleen made headlines in The Oaks. The Jay & Kay Coach Tours Gold Collar semi-finals saw Droopys Eunice go fastest at Crayford on Sunday whilst Signet Harper sprang her way through to the Ladbrokes Grand National.
Before that on Sunday, at Towcester, the semi-finals of the English Puppy Derby provided plenty of drama. And, on Monday evening, the PGR Eclipse took centre stage again with Droopys Plunge dipping out.
Bramble Linton dominates the rail to secure PGR Classic glory
Bramble Linton made the most of the inside box to lead from the first bend before staying on powerfully to win the Premier Greyhound Racing Classic at Sunderland. As Fire and Ice moved off the rail, making room for the slow starting Unanimous Leon, Bramble Linton fired down the rail while Brindle Bully did likewise on the outside.
The two came together at the first bend with Bramble Linton holding his pitch better. Losing momentum into the back straight, Brindle Bully was passed by Tom Heilbron’s Unanimous Leon who set off in game pursuit of the leader. Heilbron told Greyhound Weekly last week that Leon is “fast enough if he gets a clear run.” The brindle did make up ground all the way to the line, going down by just a length.
Steve Anderson’s 3-year-old could be ideally placed for a tilt at The Pall Mall or The Winter Derby in 2025.
Droopys Kathleen shines in Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks as Bockos Diamond dazzles in BoyleSports Irish Derby
The Irish greyhound racing scene delivered another thrilling meeting at Shelbourne Park on Saturday with standout performances in the feature races. The Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks reached its inevitable finale while the BoyleSports Irish Derby advanced to the semi-final stage.
At the Puppy Oaks, the spotlight was on new track record-holder Droopys Kathleen, who lived up to her reputation with a stunning performance in the 525m contest. Although unable to replicate her record-breaking display from earlier in the competition, Droopys Kathleen demonstrated her class once more with a commanding victory. Her power was on full display as she held off a spirited challenge from Unanimous Roxy, who battled gamely to secure second place.
One of the brightest prospects in greyhound racing
Droopys Kathleen’s triumph cements her status as one of the brightest prospects in the sport. Her combination of early pace and staying power makes her a formidable competitor, and her ability to handle pressure bodes well for future campaigns. Trainer connections will undoubtedly have their sights set on more silverware as this rising star continues to develop.
Meanwhile, the spotlight shifted to the eagerly awaited BoyleSports Irish Derby semis, where Bockos Diamond delivered a performance befitting the grand occasion. Trained by Graham Holland, the dazzling greyhound stormed to victory, reaffirming his place among the sport’s elite.
Bockos Diamond’s dominance was evident from the outset, as he broke cleanly and established an unassailable lead by the first bend. His remarkable speed and control around the track saw him stretch the margin to an emphatic 5 ½ lengths at the finish, equalling the track record with a scintillating 28.94. This latest triumph marks his 14th consecutive victory, a streak that underscores his exceptional consistency and versatility.
An eye-catching run
Behind him, Callaway Knegare produced an eye-catching run to claim second place. While unable to match Bockos Diamond’s brilliance, The Time Juvenile Derby winner’s effort highlighted his own potential. One of only 2 railers, he has secured Trap 1 for the final.
A Lucky Julie qualified in third place. She will take her chance from Trap 4 in the next week’s showpiece.
The second semi-final produced another Graham Holland winner. Cheap Sandwiches was fast away and always led. The Sep’22 dog by Burgess Bucks made all to finish ahead of Singalong Dolly and the fast finishing Boylesports Bob.
Irish Derby Trap Draw
Cheap Sandwiches’ reward is to be handed the white jacket for the final. He will be on the inside of the other 3 seeded wide runners and this could go a long way toward shaping the final outcome.
Singalong Dolly will go from Trap 2 and may have plenty of running room. The same can’t be said of Boylesports Bob who will go from Trap 5 and will have to fight hard for every inch of space out wide.
Bombay Birch Leads the Charge to Towcester Puppy Derby Final
Paul Young’s Bombay Birch was the fastest of the qualifiers for next week’s Puppy Derby final at Towcester. The 6/5 jolly made no mistake in the third semi-final. The Feb’23 puppy by Broadstrand Bono showed plenty of early and soon led, finishing in 28.92. Maxine Locke’s blue bitch, Ballymac Lucia, held off the fast-finishing Bombay Nutty to earn her place in next week’s final.
Joining these two from semi-final 1 will be King Jackson and Ballymac Kobe. Last weekend’s eyecatcher Ballymac Kobe finished strongly, but a slower than usual break prevented him from catching King Jackson (Magical Bale x Queen Beyonce). Perhaps the hard luck story of the round was Newinn Cloud who finished strongly after being crowded at the first to just miss out.
The second semi-final was perhaps the weakest of the three semis. The outside traps progressed to the final with Jason Ray’s Savana Woody taking the honours in the stripes. Karen Billingham-Hine’s Do Gooder finished well to book his trap in the final.
Droopys Eunice qualifies fastest in Gold Collar semis
Maxine Locke’s Droopys Eunice went quickest in The Jay and Kay Coach Tours Gold Collar semi-finals at Crayford. Qualifying in 33.28, she has been handed the black jacket for next week’s final which perhaps isn’t ideal.
Signet Harper justifies market support
Signet Harper justified her short price to sail through to the final of the Ladbrokes Grand National on Sunday. Her early pace took Harper into an unassailable lead. Patterdale Zorro remained a threat throughout, only finishing 1 1/4 lengths behind in second.
Chippy Brady won the first of the semi-finals but Mickys Tribute crashed out. He was unable to recover sufficiently from early crowding and bumping. Consequently, he could only manage a fourth place finish and will miss out on next weekend’s final.
Greyhound of the month
DRUIDS SAY GO is the Time Greyhound Nutrition Greyhound of the Month for October.
Patrick Janssens’ brilliant bitch, owned by the Value Racing Club, raced unbeaten through the Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks at Perry Barr, having also won the Yarmouth Derby, and remains a Greyhound of the Year contender.
In winning the award, Druids Say Go edged out fellow nominees Kent Derby winner Droopys Display (Maxine Locke), Champion Stakes heroine New Destiny (Mark Wallis), Scurry Gold Cup winner Rioja Oisin (Kevin Hutton) and Steel City Cup winner Wicky Ned (Jimmy Fenwick).
Droopys Plunge dips out in Eclipse
Patrick Janssens heads into next Monday’s Eclipse final triple handed but perhaps without his two best hopes. The talented Droopys Plunge missed out on the final after finishing third behind Janssen’s Romeo Steel and Slick Sentinel in the first semi.
Janssens Barntick Bear could not find room in the second semi-final and also missed out. In the same heat, Wicky Ned went fastest of all the qualifiers with a 29.65. Antigua Kestrel qualified second, outrunning his 16/1 starting price.
In the third semi, Romeo Command gave Janssens his third finalist. He won the heat in 29.95. Sambar Kian finished second, 3 1/2 lengths behind.
