Panda Still In Pole Position

We are down to the penultimate stage of this year’s Dublin Coach Juvenile Derby at Harold’s Cross, and trainer Pat Buckley is doubly represented with the Lenson pair of Panda and Santi.

Lenson Panda is the talk of the greyhound world in Ireland at the moment, going unbeaten in his last nine starts, he is ten from twelve overall. Panda is showing it everywhere on the track, his sectional times are top notch and he seems to be staying 525 yards strong.

What a race we witnessed last Friday night between the two ante-post favourites Lenson Panda and Jaytee Dutch. Panda had a smash break to lead up Dutch to the opening bend, Dutch turned the back straight a clear second about two lengths behind the leader. These two flew down the far side, Dutch actually gained ground on Panda into the third bend before slightly checking up, but as they straightened up Panda kicked on again and crossed the line with a length to spare over Jaytee in a superb 28.44.

These two have avoided each other in next week’s semi-finals and can dominate in both.

Hee Haws Sherriff is the big improver in the stake, he is leaving his rivals for dead to the last corner showing devastating pace but you would have to have question marks over his stamina. His style of running suits the Cross, if you lead around the opening turns here you will win more often than not. Skywalker Archie got back to winning ways last week with a length victory over Black Alder, this Pat Guilfoyle trained heavyweight got to the front off the second bend and kicked for home.

Lenson Santi gave trainer Pat Buckley a double on the night when he made every post a winning one in heat three holding off the strong finish of Newlawn Ned. Trade Freddie stayed on for third place here, he is showing plenty of foot but keeps doing things wrong at the boxes. Looking ahead to the semi-finals the two big guns Lenson Panda and Jaytee Dutch can lead the way.

My only concern with Panda is his draw in trap one, he looked to step out to the right from three last week and he went up straight from five the week before. He will just have to be careful this week as there is another decent early pacer in two, Toolmakers Scot. If Jaytee can turn within touching distance to Hee Haws Sheriff down the back he can pick him up to land the spoils.

St Leger Bound
One of the most talked about dogs in this year’s BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby, Offshore Bound, got this year’s St Leger in Limerick off to a flying start. After a fast start by his standards, Bound showed great track craft to get on the rails around the opening two turns.

Baltovin Leo set the pace but was blown away into the third corner, Bound only began to run from here and kept on well to win in a super time of 29.38.

Tyrur Tommy ran an eye catching race in second here after a slow start and could be one to be on in the ante-post market.

Secreto raced from traps in heat two and turned the race into a possession winning by six lengths in 29.54. Rural Hawaii showed his liking for Limerick again in heat six taking up the running out of the second bend before going on to record 29.76.

Save The Don got himself back to the winner’s enclosure in heat nine, Frazer Blacks runner has changed his style of running slightly and seems to be staying on stronger than ever. Don had to work hard for his win down the far side but once getting his head in front he kicked clear stopping the clock in 29.50. The last two heats of the night went to two Derby finalists, Peregrine Falcon and Cable Bay. Falcon showed great guts to make the opening bend in front and holding on to beat the fast finishing Mimes Ace and Minor Bound.

Cable Bay made use of his great draw on the rails in the final heat, this race was all over on the run to the corner. Cable was returning to the scene of his greatest success, The Con And Annie Kirby Puppy Stake, he stayed on strong to beat Limerick specialist Ballyana Foxtrot three and a half lengths in 29.69. Looking at the draw for the second round i would fancy Tyrur Tommy, Heathlawn Tiger and Peregrine Falcon to take their respective heats!

Also this weekend on the track scene we are in for a terrific final of the Mulvaney 600 in Shelbourne Park. Samiya, Laughil Duke and Ballydoyle Honey all go head to head. Duke is the new record holder for the 600 yards but has a bad draw in the final. Samiya is drawn one, I’m not the biggest fan of the one box for the 600 as dogs don’t tend to start great from it. Taking everything into account I’m going for the queen of greyhound racing Ballydoyle Honey in trap six for the win.

Serene The Talk Of Cashel
Cashel is the meeting we have chosen to highlight this weekend. Reports from trials last week are all very positive, the stock are in great order and underfoot conditions are said to be spot on. This is a fantastic field and a lot of effort has been put in by all the working members to have the field in the best condition they can.

Everything points to a super weekend’s coursing! Serene Angel is the stand out runner in the main event The Morrissy Cup. This Michael J O’Donovan trained runner performed exceptionally well last season in Clonmel, Abbeyfeale and The Irish Cup. Serene was only a late May puppy last season so should be fully matured now. He gets a confident vote here. De Great White and Cooga Johnjo can give him most to think about.

The Bitch Stake looks very competitive here with the likes of Sunfire City, Annual Encounter, Belated Bracelet and Daythemusicdied all in action. We are going to side with one of the talking bitches from last year Daythemusicdied, owner Pat ‘The Baker’ O’Donovan reports the bitch to be in flying order and her trainer Dennis O’Driscoll’s kennels are in top form at the moment.

Elsewhere around the country, the third season runner Needham Simple should win the Belsize Cup in Westmeath while Lochbo Vicky can make a great weekend for West Cork runners if she can retain her crown in the All Age Bitch Stake at Regional.

You can find markets on all the above competitions on www.Boylesports.com, we will have betting on every coursing meeting throughout the year available online and in all our shops throughout the country. There is also betting available on a number of competitions taking place at the moment in the UK. #BetOnBoyle for all things greyhounds!