Thirteen top class races being run over seven different distances. Six races worth €10,000 to the winner , four races worth €5000 to the winner and a further three with a winners prize of €2000. No you’re not dreaming this is Shelbourne Park for the Winter Festival. A night of greyhound racing that is unrivalled where the very best of the best take on each other. There is also competition heading across the Irish sea as Patrick Janssens , John Mullins and Diane Henry attempt to beat the Irish on their own soil. Credit to each of them for it would be all to easy to take the easy option and use all manner of excuses for not putting in the effort to prove that our trainers and our greyhounds are capable of not only beating the best that the Irish can offer but can also do it on their own soil. That will not be easy but each of them whether it be in success or defeat can hold their heads up high that they chose the brave mans route in the pursuit of glory and making history.
Patrick Janssens , John Mullins and Diane Henry representing England at Shelbourne Park tonight
The night gets underway at 714pm with The Welcome To Shelbourne Park AA0 525 worth €2000. I spoke to James Corden from the Pat Buckley kennel and he told me “Stream Of Sydney was really heading the right way in her races earlier in the year at Limerick. She was trapping with regularity and putting up some huge runs. She spent some time off the card due to season so the first competitive run back a week or so ago can only have brought her on. I’d expect a good run from her and she could well be one of ours that might just be a bit more of a price. Ballinabola Ed in the www.griireland.ie AA0 575 at 939pm is a superstar and he will be our best chance on the night albeit it an obvious selection. He will take a lot of beating and anybody looking for something at a short price but that is expected to win won’t go far wrong”.
James along with his father Nathan Corden also own Global Prima who races under the ownership banner of their Global-Racing-Partnership. Just touched off for a place in the All England Cup Final in a desperate print in her semi final she is one of those making the effort to travel over from the UK with trainer Patrick Janssens. Prima runs in the Barking Buzz App AA0 Bitch 525 at 732pm and James told me “To be honest it’s just nice to have a runner on the night. She’s a nice bitch in front but the change of traps might just work against her on that front plus she’d probably prefer to be drawn a little nearer the rail. She’s not out of it as it’s a race she could win if coming away but it would be a nice bonus if she were to do so. We just want her to run well and I’m sure she will. Thanks also to Patrick for making the effort to bring her over it’s a busy time of year so it’s much appreciated”.
John Mullins is never afraid to travel with his dogs nor afraid to take on the best and he takes two over to Shelbourne Park tonight in the shape of leading sprinter Ballymac Slapup who runs in the Talking Dogs SS0 350 at 827pm and Signet Goofy who runs in the Find Us On Facebook AA0 525 at 1009pm. I spoke to John who told me “I’m a believer that if you’ve got the dog you travel and the money is fantastic. Slapup is running for €5000 and Goofy for €10,000 which for one off races is superb. I’m under no illusions it will be tough but both of them are in with a shout if they trap. Goofy would prefer to be drawn a little nearer the middle but it is what it is you take your chances and if he does come away he could just get around the bend in front. It’s just great to be taking part anyway and if I’ve got the right dog(s) I’ll definitely be heading back across for a crack at the Irish Derby”.
Florence Cake who recently ran out a sensational winner of the Toolmaker & DTSC Gold Cup Final 525 at Drumbo Park goes in the Rasaiocht Con Eireann AA0 550 at 845pm. The McCusker family are regarded as one of the leading training and breeding operations in Northern Ireland and I caught up with leading player from the set up Ronan McCusker “The bitch is extremely well and we’re hopeful of a good run. She came on a great deal between semi final and final of the Gold Cup and I believe she’s come on from that again. I don’t want to be too confident and of course it will be down to what happens at the traps but if she gets away and in front I’d be very surprised if she were to then be beat”.
Patrick Janssens heads across the Irish sea with three runners with him being represented by Global Prima in the Barking Buzz App AA0 Bitch 525 at 732pm , Fabulous Azurra in the Winter Racing Festival AA0 Bitch 525 at 925pm and Coolavanny Shado in the Greyhound Racing Ireland AA0 550 AT 1024pm. Patrick told me “Prima is a nice honest bitch and she is well in herself but she’s desperate for the rail and will have to really come away to secure it tonight. I wouldn’t like to rule her out but it’s a tough enough ask but as I say she’s well and will hopefully do herself justice. Azurra I can’t speak highly enough of this bitch she’s absolutely top drawer and I’m expecting a real big run from her. She’s drawn perfectly and so long as she comes away I’d really like to think she’ll win. If you have a look back through her form this is her time of year too. Shado what can I say about him he’s without doubt the fastest greyhound I’ve ever put a lead on but at times he’s his own worst enemy. When he comes away he’s a sight to behold he really is but he does have to come away and get in front. These are the nights everybody wants to be involved in though with proper dogs racing against each other on a proper track. The likes of here , Towcester , Sheffield , Nottingham these are the tracks that really show who are the serious dogs and who aren’t. Towcester has come in for a lot of stick just lately and yes there are a few things need sorting out but I want to place on record that it’s a track I’ve every confidence in putting my very best dogs around. I have got less track related injuries around there than anywhere else. We need to get behind Kevin Boothby and what he’s trying to do as I stand by the fact that without him and what he’s done over recent years the sport would be in very bad shape. I’d hoped to head to Shelbourne Park for the Derby last year but my biggest hopes were either injured or still regaining fitness so it just wasn’t possible but this year I’ll definitely be there so long as I have the right dogs available at the time”.
Diane Henry is the third UK based trainer to be heading across the Irish sea with her star staying performer Savana Ruinart lining up in the Greyhounds Make Great Pets DD0 750 at 954pm. Diane said “Ruinart is in great shape but I’m under no illusions as to how tough it will be. She obviously has form around Shelbourne Park prior to joining myself but I think she’s a different bitch now and has definitely developed a little more in the way of early pace. She’s not really a lid pinger but once coming away she does really like to get involved early which is exactly what she’s got to do tonight if she’s to put herself in with a chance. The trip is just about ideal for her so hopefully we’ll see her getting herself around the first two bends without any trouble and then we’ll see how she goes. Whatever happens though it’s just a privilege to be involved on such a night. Yes its a lot of effort and takes a good bit of planning but I’m sure it will be worth it. There are plenty of dogs in the UK who could be competitive on the night and though it’s good to see John and Patrick heading over hopefully we’ll see a few more in the future too”.
Shane Dowling from the famous Ballymac kennels in Tralee , County Kerry has a host of runners on the big night but told me “I’d have to say Ballymac Finn running in the Greyhound Racing Ireland AA0 550 AT 1024pm is our best chance of a winner on the night closley followed by Ballymac Whispa Slan Abhaile AA0 600 in the evenings finale at 1039pm. Whispa has been on the go a good while but she thrives on her racing and this trip should be perfect. A young pup we rate very highly and who will be Con & Annie Kirby bound soon is Ballymac Johnjo who runs in the www.griireland.ie AA0 575 at 939pm. Listen we know we’ve got Ballinabola Ed to beat who is a fantastic greyhound and he could well win very easily but don’t underestimate Johnjo he’s a pup right out of the top drawer and if it’s not tonight he will showcase before too long how good he is. He’s given one or two glimpses of his potential but he’s much better than we’ve seen to date and I’d certainly not put anybody off a small bit each way or maybe a few quid in the without Ed market. He’s very well and we’re hopeful of a real big run tonight”.
