What an unbelievable night of racing was on display in the quarter-finals last Saturday, writes Peter Walker.
If it were not for Ryan and Joe Connelly, the coverage would have been lacking the publicity it deserves.
It will never better the thrill of being at the track but they did a brilliant job of showcasing the event with limited resources on YouTube.
Epic Ace
The first looked like a contest between Proper Heiress and Epic Ace but the latter had the advantage of the trap 2 draw.
The red vest seems to have been a hindrance as far as the break is concerned and Ace maintained his unbeaten record.
He was relentless and, on the run-in, Ballymac Iroko secured second with ‘Harry’ tiring but still through in third place.
We lost Underground Gold but the puppy will be back as he matures and competes for other top honours on the horizon.
Scooby The Lady
The next quarter included the quickest breaker Scooby The Lady with Ballymac Duffle, arguably the strongest finisher.
She was first to show out of the boxes again with Duffle all to do as the remainder squeezed up around the opening bend.
By this time, Scooby was away and gone with Sole Focus, avoiding the trouble, gave chase.
He held on for second at a huge 40/1 as Priceless Romeo accompanied Duffle in a tight finish.
The favourite did manage to qualify but only just by a neck on the line.
Ballymac Deniro & Strike It Skye
The penultimate qualifier appeared to be a match race between Ballymac Deniro and Lennies Eddie.
As it turned out, the punters homed in on Deniro and backed down to odds-on.
He gained a decisive early advantage and won in the fastest of the night in 28.21 seconds.
The wide runner Lennies Tank filled the last qualifying position.
The last quarter made it a special evening similar to the previous Saturday for the ladies.
Hackney Corner made the early running with the chasing pack in close proximity.
The back straight saw Strike It Skye make a telling move on the inside with Ballymac Ralf in her slipstream.
She quickly took control around the last two bends to win by only a neck from the fast-finishing Ralf.
Semi-final draw
There were two middles and two wides qualifying so both semi-finals included four railers.
The bitches have been kept apart with Scooby The Lady the only quarter-final winner in trap 3.
Proper Heiress is now drawn on her inside in trap 2 so the run to the corner could decide the outcome.
In fact, the early pace is more prevalent in the second semi-final with Ballymac Ralf boxed in 4.
The first semi-final has three of Liam Dowling’s dogs in traps 4, 5 and 6. The only unbeaten qualifier Epic Ace is drawn in trap 3.
Previous winners Strike It Skye and Ballymac Deniro are in trap 2 and 5, respectively.
Ballymac Duffle, whose early speed seems to have deserted him, is in the widest rail position in trap 4. He cannot afford to give the opposition too much of a lead at this stage.
Ratings
The top of the ratings has changed again after Ballymac Deniro’s latest success. It may be a case of which greyhound can peak at the right time and be drawn in the most preferable trap position.
The ladies have been a revelation in this year’s renewal and Scooby The Lady retains her place as the fastest starter out of the 12.
Followers of Ballymac Ralf (tipped up at 25/1 each-way) has a good chance to make the final.
The favourite Epic Ace is short enough in the outright market. Ballymac Deniro is overpriced at 7/1 and worth a win only wager based on his recent progress in the competition.
Good luck to all connections of every semi-finalist and I am sure all would just be happy to reach the final at this juncture.
I have also calculated the top three ratings for all the other races featured on the night.
Only one thing left to add now is get to the track if you can – greyhound racing does not get any better than this.
PricedUp.Bet Derby Plate
Although the Derby Plate competition has been devalued, it is still a thrill for connections taking part.
Ballymac Kobe did struggle to get competitive after a tardy break.
Bubbly Charger did qualify in fourth place and is capable of improving on that performance.
Romeo Ability sets the standard after an all the way success although only held on by a head from The Other Chief who could not quite reel in the leader.
He is now clear favourite as low as 13/8 so value can be found elsewhere in No Better Feeling each-way at 14/1 as the quickest heat winner.
Droopys Trade was also impressive but is now drawn wider in trap 5 which might be tricky if he cannot dictate off the front.
Greyhoundtrader.com Stakes
This competition has a wide-open feel to it yet This Approach is best-priced at 15/8. He has been drawn in trap 5 with two other first round winners.
The selection Rapido Benny did qualify from trap 1 which did not help his cause. Now drawn in trap 4, he has the chance to break better than in his last performance.
The veteran Uncle Freddie has had a new lease of life and at 6/1 might just surprise his younger rivals.
If his finishing time of anywhere near 28.77 seconds last time can be repeated, he will make the final and the syndicate Kangaroo Petrol ‘chuffed to bits’ as they say.
