Sheffield stage one of the outstanding meetings of the year tonight with the final of the Bresbet Steel City Cup.
The support card features nine minor opens with the bonus of a human race. Surveying and previewing ALL events (check out the breeding, racing weights and prize money in race 14!) is Racing Manager Andrew Mascarenhas.
A reminder of the Steel City Cup semi finals. First round
Andrew said: “Acomb Irene is the obvious choice in here. She is a track specialist who I expected to make the final of the big race. She doesn’t have to lead to win, but might anyway. Fearsome Quest would be the obvious danger but is coming back after a lengthy lay-off. Greenwell Grace would also seem to have ability and trialled very well at Newcastle. 4-5-3
Andrew said: “Fearsome Enigma was A3 when he ran he previously though he was very young at the time. He has since gone on to win the British Bred Maiden Derby at Newcastle. He obviously knows the track, has had upteen trials and would be good enough here. Acomb Alfie has recent winning form and would seem the likeliest danger.” 4-2-6
Andrew said: “Although Merlins Mate has never seen the track, his Towcester form is way better than anything else in the race. Acomb Mabel looks the obvious danger though Derby Myles has good track knowledge.” 5-2-6
Andrew said: “Allanne Best traps well, has good early pace and is well drawn which is all you can ask for. Fearmore Selboy also has ability if he comes away.” 6-4-2
Andrew said: “Amazingly, we were oversubscribed for the marathon. It looks totally at the mercy of Savana Heross for me in terms of the class he has been running against previously. I think he will start short, will lead and will not be caught. I don’t see much between the rest.” 2-4-1
Andrew said: “This has to be one of the toughest races on the card to call. It is extremely competitive with a case to make for several. I have to go for Ballymac Archer who has been running so well and is the best stayer at the track. I would love to have him in a graded race with Maximum Security and a fully fit Flying Ada. After that though I might be struggling.” 6-1-2
Andrew said: “I think Sean will win this with Lightfoot Doak. He knows the track and has been running very well at Nottingham in recent weeks. Glengar Ace has time to find but went well last time out.” 2-4-6
Andrew said: “Unfortunately the puppy open didn’t fill so Amazing Gal and La Gitana ended up in this. Amazing Gal’s Irish card isn’t particularly noteworthy but she has trialled very well and can win on debut. I would expect La Gitana to improve for her run last week. She drifted off a bit and should be better suited to this draw.” 2-3-5
Andrew said: “It is very sad for connections that Rioja Joey can’t take his place. I have spoken with the sponsors and they have agree to pay his appearance money for the final.
“If Coolavanny Shado puts it all together, he wins. In fact he can win without getting everything right providing he doesn’t go up with the traps, he is just so classy. I seldom put ‘ran well’ in a race comment but felt it was fully deserved last time.
“In terms of the other four, I would really struggle to separate them. One Day Tom has really caught my eye with how well he has run and there was only a length between him and Marlfield Diaz last time and I would expect it to be something similar this time. ” 2-5-1
Sponsors bet: 4-7 Coolavanny Shado, 4-1 Swift Iconic, 6-1 Marlfield Diaz, 13-2 Acomb Felix, 10-1 One Day Tom
Andrew said: “I think connections of Choctaw Tony would have preferred to be closer to the rail but I think it is a decent draw. He is running well and is my selection here. I thought Droopys Peak Fit was going to win last time out and she looks the danger in here. Breakthebiscuit is quite intriguing. His Kinsley trials are absolutely flying but he still hasn’t won a race.” 4-6-3
The human race being staged to raise funds for the Sheffield Retired Greyhounds is expected to be broadcast on the Sky Racing channel and is sure to raise plenty of interest, not least because said RM is the open racer in the field running off scratch.
A talented athlete, he has run the London Marathon in three hours and nine minutes but is ruling out his chances.
Andrew said: “I have had some severe back injuries. I had two discs out in my back, had them fixed and then another two went. I shouldn’t really be running but it is for charity so I felt I should.”
(Dani Jackson apparently does not have a racing weight as Sheffield still uphold the laws of chivalry – though she does have a whelping date!)
With betting due to take place with the bookies and on the tote, who should everyone be on?
Andrew said: “The word in the paddock is that Connor (Davy) is a good thing. Apart from anything else, he has a personal trainer so we have to take him seriously. I know that on the formbook, I can’t match Matt over a mile.
“Of course it is all about the homefinders. The aim was to raise £5,000 and I understand that today Star Sports have donated £1,000 which takes the running total up to £4,415, so I think we can break that with a bit to spare.”
Sponsors bet: 9-4 Matt Hamilton, 11-4 Connor Davy, 9-2 Andrew Mascarenhas, 5-1 Rob Crawford, 6-1 Billy Brennan, 9-1 Dani Jackson.
