Vander bilt’s rich pickings
Good Cody remains the ante post favourite to win the €16,200 RCETS Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park but he must overcome a redhot semi-final heat tonight before he can set his sights on the trophy.
Three qualify from each semifinal with Good Cody in with a massive chance after his seeding was changed to a middle runner from an inside.
This Patrick Guilfoyle trained son of Definite Opinion- Soho Ark won from trap five last week in 28.47, leading near the line to win by a length to Serene Ace.
He wears the stripes in the second heat but there is an abundance of early pace in this line up.
Bend
Trap fi ve Vanderbilt is hard to ignore after his performance for t rai ner Karol Ramsbottom and he was a surprise winner on the card at 7/1.
He clocked a sensational sectional of 15.95 to the third bend before going on to win in 28.28.
If lighting can strike twice then Vanderbilt is worth taking a chance on as he will be decent odds against these rivals with his outright chances at 12/1.
He starts, he stays but that’s exactly what he will have to as he has Bal lymac Kingdom, Skywalker Barry, Skywalker Angie and Knight Tornado to beat as well as Good Cody.
Skywalker Angie ran the race of her life last week to win in 28.28, the fastest time of the night after a flashy split of 2.06.
Knight Tornado is perfectly housed along the fence but I’m taking a chance on Vanderbilt based on his draw and early pace despite this being his toughest task to date.
Droopys Good can remain his unbeaten status in this competition for trainer Owen McKenna.
This speedster showed lovely pace to take the lead last week in the red jacket with the inside draw a huge positive.
He races from trap two here and although there is early pace both sides of him, he is likely to set the pace once he paws hit the sand.
Serene Ace in trap four is capable of recording 28.11 so with a fast start we could see him go close.
Graham Holland has a fascinating kennel with plenty of young stars.
One of those stars is Bockos Budsit, who won at HQ earlier this month in 28.36 showing beautiful pace and talent. He races from trap five in race 11 and looks the one to beat.
He faces his kennel companion Clona Skye in trap four and this lady is one of the fastest females in the country. She w on the Christmas Oaks, Munster Oaks and Cork Oaks so she cannot be dismissed.
Predator Scoby in trap three can be quick away while Barefoot Supremo will be finishing fast.
Regular
Beach Avenue is one of Ireland’s favourite greyhounds and a regular at Shelbourne Park. He races from trap six in race 12 but the 525 yards trip might be a bit on the short side for him.
In saying that, he was impressive last week over the 550 yards after a good start from traps only to run in to early pacer Jacob Tashadelek in 29.55.
Beach was only denied by a neck so if he can produce that effort, he has to have a big say here as you can never rule him out.
Coom Leo in trap two will be the likely favourite for trainer Pat Buckley as he has a flashy 28.15 clocked for this trip. He can be very quick away as can Kameko in trap five.
Pierno is returning after a short break and will be fancied to land race 8 over the 575 yards trip. Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Whispa in trap two has some nice form in Limerick so she is one to watch out for while Droopys Unknown is probably the dark dog having won over this distance recently in