From Hengest to Memphis
El Tornillo looks the biggest danger to King Memphis in the PGR Kent Derby Final tonight at Central Park.
Photo: © Steve Nash
Liz McNair’s track record holder looks to be the next King of Kent.
The final of the Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby is off at 9.11 this evening at Central Park. King Memphis only has nine spots in hand over Dave Lee’s El Tornillo on their semi-final wins. That could set things up for a stunning final if the pair of them both come away in the same fashion.
Each of them have been exceptional so far in the competition. Memphis would win his semi by almost five lengths while El Tornillo would land his by two and three-quarters.
The pair might not have things all their own way, however. Maxine Locke’s Droopys Manowar produced an identical sectional to King Memphis did when landing the other semi-final a week back. The McNair trained hound has the speed from line to bend to sneak around but it is going to be an interesting battle for control of the rails.
It might be a tough difficult for the other three to get involved in a clean run race but they have made the decider. Havana Top Note wants further but he can sit close enough to punish any mistakes up front. Locke has a second runner in Droopys Display while Tony Collett has Atomic Crimes on the outside.
Central Park undercard
It is an all open race evening with a sprint final the secondary feature race at 8.54. Dan Brabon has half the field, the inner three traps all representing the local handler. Dower Pat was a Guys & Dolls finalist at Crayford back in August but he was no match for his kennelmate Merrymeeting Lil last week.
King Marvin was the winner of the other semi, clocking the quicker of the two times. It will be interesting to see what the loss of stripes does for the Spencer Mavrias-trained hound’s chance. Droopys Rarity is another finalist on the evening for the Locke kennel while Brabon’s Killuran Bella and Fastlane Bex for Paul Donovan round out the field.
There is a marathon at 9.26 where Hopiehopiehopie goes for Kevin Hutton. She was a winner at Perry Barr on St Leger/Birmingham Cup final night in a three-runner field and will be very short odds to go in again.
Oaks and Scurry semi-final night
Queen Joni and Icemans Girl clash again tonight.
Photo: © Steve Nash
The two competitions both have their semi-final stages this evening at Perry Barr.
Druids Say Go has overcome a draw in four in both the heats and second round. She has an even wider starting position in the opening semi-final tonight at 7.36. She has been foot perfect from the traps both times and if doing so again, Patrick Janssens’ star bitch should be making another decider.
The second semi is at 8.11 where Queen Joni leads the market. The Derby Plate winner beat the re-opposing Icemans Girl by three-quarters of a length last week in the second round. It should be another great clash between the pair, with both expected to make the decider next week.
Three semis of the Scurry kick off at 7.18 with a race that could’ve graced the final. King Capaldi and Aero Sacundai are the pair nearest to the rails. Jura Go Bocko and Magical Bluebear in the middle, with Cree Jo Jo and My Lennie out wider. That is a race not to be missed!
A trio of heat winners line up at 7.53 in the second semi. Bramble Linton, Alien Bolt and Dashing Dude are those three. They face recent Romford Puppy Cup winner Fire And Ice in another superb contest over 275m.
Fastest in the opening round was Rioja Oisin who is in the third semi-final which is due off at 8.28. Two of his vanquished foes from last week are drawn in here again with Fratton Bark, Long Fellow and Tullymurry Dylan on the inside.
What a night at Romford on Gone To The Dogs!
A New Destiny for Mark Wallis with a record-breaking fifth Champion Stakes win.
The red-jacketed winner was just 10 spots off her own track record last night as she ran riot. In picking up this win, she became the first to do the Coronation Cup and Champion Stakes double in the same year. Once she had turned in front, the question was not whether she would win but merely how far. Five and three-quarter lengths was the answer, the widest margin of the night.
As the sole seeded runner, Noirs News would have been in every forecast and tricast. Seamus Cahill’s runner was a gallant runner-up, improving his best time over the trip with each round.
Michelle Brown’s Golden Palace ran a huge race in third. He briefly looked like cheating a wide draw in five but an opening bend bump ended his chance. He wouldn’t have won but the race for second would’ve been a much tighter battle.
Four winners on the night was the final tally for Wallis. Coonough Crow pulled the eight bend contest out the fire having looked in trouble after some early bumping. Fabulous Sonique rounded out the card in style over 575m, winning for the 12th time in 2024 over track and trip. Cashen Eliza got the ball rolling for the team.
Other Romford winners
It was also an exceptional night for David Mullins, led by his Coral Silver Standard winner Brindle Bully. The litter brother to Bockos Diamond and March On Freddie showed huge pace to land the Category Two contest and make it six wins on the bounce.
Mullins picked up a treble on the card. Piemans Angel won the Greyhound Star Trophy, coming from last to first. Flynn’s Porter rounded out the evening with a bold win from what looked on paper to be an awful draw.
Dan Brabon had a double early on the card with Millbank Nana and Breaghmore Paudy. Other winners on the night were Druids All Go for Craig Morris, Bacon Roll for Paul Burr and Vis A Vis for Jason Bloomfield.
The crowd at Romford on Champion Stakes night .
© Steve Nash
New Destiny leads the PGR Champion Stakes Final field.
© Steve Nash
Boylesports Irish Derby opening night
Diamond shines bright on Friday night as the ante-post favourite shows his class.
29.23 was a flying time in the opening round and worryingly for his rivals in future weeks, he didn’t hit the lids! With Callaway Knegare not producing his best later on in the night, he has hardened at the top of the market for Graham Holland. Already the shortest ante-post favourite for a long time for the competition, he is generally a 4/1 chance now.
Second quickest on the evening was Bombay Pat. One of the most rapidly improving types in Ireland, a 29.34 in just his ninth career start was hugely impressive. He has a 29.21 on his card already so it is no surprise to see him now the 6/1 second favourite with the sponsors.
Carrick Aldo was an impressive winner of heat four, clocking 29.42. The 2023 Bar One Sprint winner at Dundalk spreadeagled the field to win by four lengths with a further eight back to the third. He is another who has shortened in the market from 40’s into 20/1 now for outright glory.
Although she was beaten by the ultra smart Seven Beach, it was A Lucky Julie who starred in heat five. James Melia’s bitch dead heated in the Sporting Press Oaks final when last in action, coming in season and missing four months. Back for the Derby, she went under by a short head.
Phil Milner’s Keefill Maverick got dealt a horribly deep heat, finishing fifth, just a length behind Callaway Knegare in third. It was a gallant effort from the son of Droopys Addition.
Night two this evening
There are some more stars on the card tonight, led by the reigning Towcester champion De Lahdedah at 9.06. Liam Dowling’s Derby champion was unable to get a clear run on his return to action a week ago but with the cobwebs blown away, he should be ready to stake his claim.
Heat 15 at 7.48 will see the Towcester runner-up, Boylesports Bob in action. The depth in the wide runners in the Irish Derby this year is ridiculous and Paul Hennessy’s runner should add to those already safely through to the second round with a minimum of fuss.
March On Freddie has quickly made up into an outstanding performer. David Mullins had an excellent night on Friday as did Freddie’s dam Seaglass Shadow. His Derby campaign begins at 8.03 with the hopes of England on his shoulders.
Patrick Godfrey has the other raider in Arthur Cornflake. A triple winner at Monmore in September, he had some solid Shelbourne efforts before arriving on these shores but has the likes of Rapido Bob and Kirby winner Knockeen Dazzler in opposition.
10.39 is the final heat and connections so Crafty Shivoo have a long wait to see their Laurels winner in action. It was an exceptional night for the MWD Partnership last night at Romford and she can add to the weekend’s enjoyment by putting her name into the second round hat.
For the best guide to the second night, listen to Barry Caul’s opinion on each heat in conversation with Dani Jackson on the Gone To The Dogs podcast.
Crayford’s Sunday card is off
A lack of runners have once more seen Crayford abandoning a meeting.
Paul Illingworth, Entain’s Head of Stadia – Commercial said:
“Unfortunately, Sunday’s race meeting at Crayford has had to be cancelled. The graded races at this meeting were only arranged at short notice to replace the Open race card originally scheduled, and some trainers were unable to make the necessary staffing arrangements to provide runners for the meeting, leaving a shortage of runners for the card. We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience that this causes.”
Stats
- Thats Your Lot – 7.08 Romford – 6/11 in A3s.
- Tuono Charlie – 7.48 Shelbourne – 6/11 at the track.
- Hawkfield Blue – 8.32 Shelbourne – 5/8 when clad in red here.
- Killuran Bella – 8.54 Central Park – 5/10 from trap two at the track.
- Rioja Maxi – 9.01 Oxford – 11/17 at the track
- King Memphis – 9.11 Central Park – 7/8 at the Kent track.
- Bit View Dream – 10.20 Drumbo – 6/9 so far in his career at this. track.
- Footfield Violet – 10.20 Cork – 7/11 at Curraheen Park.
Opens
Saturday: Central Park ♦ Perry Barr
Sunday: Sheffield
Friday: Romford
