Champion Stakes Semi-Finals – Joe’s Tips
Three Semi-finals of the Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes take centre stage at Romford this evening with eighteen going to traps. Six will make it through to next week’s decider.
Semi-final one
Syds Smurph in trap one has been handed a favourable draw with Glideaway Hugo on his immediate outside. The strong running Droopys Vivacity and Golden Palace are in traps thee and four. Roxys Bullet is badly drawn in trap five and Noirs News is well housed out wide in trap six and should really be guaranteed a clear passage.
I am going to be with Syds Smurph on the inside. He ran well to qualify in second behind Fabulous Sonique last week from trap four. Prior to that, he ran a stormer from trap one in a trial stakes behind You Two clocking 35.29 in defeat.
I would expect Syds Smurph to get first run on the strong runners in the race and from there he would be extremely difficult to peg back. Roxys Bullet can cheat the draw from five to lead and set the race up for Syds Smurph with Noirs News taking the second qualifying spot.
Semi-final two
Three heat winners line up and the top two in the ante post market go head-to-head, New Destiny and Aayamza Sydney. Never Say No in trap one was impressive last week when winning as was trap two Aayamza Sydney who went nearly four lengths quicker than Never Say No.
Trap three New Destiny was nearly four lengths quicker than Aayamza Sydney in a fastest of the round 34.75 and obliterated her rivals. Trap four Littlers Nuke, trap five Elite Albert and trap six Ballymac Johnjo were all third in their respective heats and have got it all to do to finish in the first two this evening.
It is an intriguing match up as New Destiny is so trappy but will have her work cut out clearing Aayamza Sydney and Never Say No. I am going to be with Aayamza Sydney to get first run on the favourite and hold on from her. If Aayamza Sydney can match New Destiny for the first ten strides I think he will be far enough clear with a lap to go to hold on with New Destiny flying home in second.
Semi-final three
Another intriguing race where the draw could be vital as to who qualifies. Connections of Droopys Maybe, Drive On Lad and Gary The Arb will all be happy enough with one, two and three. Connections of Nowitsmyturn and Fabulous Sonique would have been praying for a draw closer to the fence in a race that possesses plenty of early. That leaves Swift Depot with a perfect draw in trap six.
I am going to be with Fabulous Sonique to clear the inside runners to lead. She can come away from any trap as we have seen recently with victories from traps three and four. A clean exit from her can see her lead and that should allow Swift Depot a clear run on the outside.
He won last week and although leading, he did not go on to win as far as I thought he would being the strong runner he is but, he can chase Fabulous Sonique down to qualify for next week’s final.
Bresbet Steel City Cup semi-finals
Two days until the semis of the Bresbet Steel City Cup.
The opening round last Sunday at Sheffield saw some outstanding action. The three semis this week look like providing the same excitement. Prices are taken from the sponsors Bresbet.
Outright
6/4 Wicky Ned 4/1 Links Maverick 9/1 Proper Heiress, Union Rebel 14/1 Droopys Extragud 18/1 Acomb Felix 20/1 Romeo Crusade 22/1 Gun Slinger 33/1 Aero Treat, Romeo Cypher, Seaview Sydney, Silverhill Ben, Swift Silly 40/1 Acejukeboxpopper, Bombay The Joker, Farneys Willie 50/1 Epic Gold 66/1 Senahel Tedster
SF1
4/6 Links Maverick 5/1 Droopus Extragud 7/1 Swift Silly 9/1 Acejukeboxpopper 11/1 Bombay The Joker 16/1 Senahel Tedster
SF2
9/4 Acomb Felix 10/3 Romeo Crusade, Romeo Cypher 4/1 Farneys Willie 11/2 Silverhill Ben 11/1 Seaview Sydney
SF3
1/2 Wicky Ned 4/1 Proper Heiress 5/1 Union Rebel 15/2 Gun Slinger 12/1 Epic Gold 20/1 Aero Treat
One week until Gone To The Dogs- Live!
Tonight we will know who the six finalists will be for the PGR Champion Stakes, show live next Friday night.
Note the slightly later start time next week, 6.15 rather than 6.00. Also, check out the Gone To The Dogs social media pages for your chance to win £200.
It’s also a week until the Irish Derby
On the same night as our Romford broadcast, the opening round of the Boylesports Irish Derby kicks off.
The newly refurbished Shelbourne is ready to welcome fans from across Ireland and England. Tickets are still available from the track for the business end of the competition. Don’t wait too long if you’re tempted as you won’t want to miss out!
Sharon McHugh (Head of PR & Sponsorship, BoyleSports) joined Tim Lucey, CEO of Greyhound Racing Ireland to launch the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby earlier today at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium. The competition which commences on the 18th October will see over 140 greyhounds compete for a first place prize of €125,000. The Final is on Saturday 23rd November 2024.
A pair of trebles at Hove
Trebles for Seamus Cahill and Belinda Green on the evening.
Teresa Cahill celebrates her 60th birthday with a race sponsorship at Romford tonight. The kennel enjoyed an excellent Thursday night at Hove. The maiden 515m final went to their Kevins Rocket in a smart 29.96. Harlequin Beauty and Harlequin Money were both successful over 695m earlier on the card.
Green would also double up in 695m contests, Broncos Bullet and Chocolate Velvet both scoring. At the other end of the distance spectrum, Fantasy Alex would take out the sole sprint on the night.
Other open race winners on the card were Untold Florin for Carol Weatherall, Market Group for Claude Gardiner, Droopys Dialogue for David Dark, Droopys Rosie for Maxine Locke and Burrows Sapphire for Jason Heath.
Fenwick dominates the Newcastle card
Jimmy Fenwick took home three of the five open races on Thursday night’s card.
Fresh off being the latest guest on the Gone To The Dogs Podcast, Jimmy Fenwick notched up a hat-trick of Newcastle wins. Ballymac Neems and Ballymac Lineout would lead the way over 480m before the stayers contest went to Ballymac Camilla.
Ton Heilbron got on the scoresheet courtesy of Trinity Brent in a smart 28.63. It was a first win at the fifth attempt for the son of Brett Lee and Oi Oi Upenalty. Quickest of the evening was Paul Rutherford’s Wraysbury Katie. Her 28.45 is ‘only’ the fourth quickest time that the Angel Of The North Finalist has produced at Newcastle this year. She already has a 28.40, 28.36 and a 28.32 to her credit in 2024!
A 44/1 Swindon double for Barry Johnson
The West Country kennel takes two of the five opens.
Those who follow Barry Johnson on X (@devondogger) will know the level of work that he puts into his dogs. The pictures and videos of his happy charges out for a walk, enjoying their food and playing, make the kennel easy to root for. Chelms Wild and Chelms Skint were both successful last night for Johnson and owner Lee Harris.
Keepers Poppy won the marathon for Dalton Smith. The 102nd start of her career saw her four spots off the track record for the rarely used distance. Ballinabola Bill produced a 28.19 for Kevin Hutton while Snaffi Mojito picked up the other open for Paul Foster.
Stats
- Savana Liston – 4.07 Towcester – 5/8 from trap four.
- Moanteen Federer – 4.59 Kinsley – 5/7 in D1 grade here.
- Blackhouse Dingo – 5.06 Newcastle – 5/8 record from trap three.
- Makeit Gypsygirl – 5.39 Towcester – 6/10 in the blue jacket.
- Blackrock Tilly – 7.49 Sheffield – When running in D4, has a record of 6/9.
- Lemming Pride – 7.58 Harlow – 5/9 when running at A3 level.
- Brindle Bully – 8.01 Romford – 5/9 at the track.
- Make It Easy – 8.07 Sheffield – 5/10 in this A4 grade.
- Radioactive Boy – 8.09 Clonmel – 5/8 in A2s.
- Sambar Kian – 8.31 Nottingham – 5/9 from trap three.
- Steeple Rd Milan – 9.01 Tralee – 5/10 from trap one.
- Belfast Marty – 9.30 Newbridge – 5/7 at the track.
- Shelone Essie – 10.14 Dundalk – 6/9 from the red jacket.
Opens
Friday: Romford
Saturday: Central Park ♦Perry Barr
