KOBE STILL A SLAM DUNK
THE Other Kobe was crowned the 2023 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby champion last Saturday night at Shelbourne Park in a blistering time of 29.11, the fastest derby winner of all time.
Trained by Jennifer O’Donnell, this son of Ballymac Best – Mountaylor Queen was nothing short of sensational when claiming the €125,000 prize from trap two.
He was fast away and just held on by half a length with the Graham Holland trained Bockos Crystal running the race of her life in defeat. It will go down as one of the best derby performances we have seen as history was made at HQ.
The Other Kobe is a full brother to last year’s champion Born Warrior, O’Donnell achieving something never been done before.
Special
It was a special night with a special result, but the excitement continues as we have eight second round heats of the Juvenile Derby to look forward to this evening. This is a brilliant competition for young greyhounds so get the notebook ready as we are bound to see some special talents emerge.
There is €25,000 up for grabs with the Liam Dowling trained De Lahdedah the 9/2 outright favourite to win. He reached the semi-finals of the derby and was the ante post favourite at one point to win the title.
Just a few days after getting knocked out of the derby, this talented powerhouse got back to winning ways in the opening round with a classy 28.29 win.
He races from trap one in race 3 with trap four Droopys Flytline looking like the biggest danger.
Trained by Robert Gleeson, this son of Laughil Blake – Droopys Curio is unbeaten with five wins from five starts.
He won his opening round heat last week by six lengths in a time of 28.18.
Grouchos Duke can win heat 2 for John Byrne. This December 2021-whelped tracker won his heat last week in 28.19 after a 2.10 sectional.
He has three wins from five starts with the future looking very bright. He won by five lengths in the opening round beating Ballymac Seanie and the pair meet again in this heat.
Seanie is still a maiden after eight starts but will no doubt improve. BoyleSports Bob in trap six could be the main danger to Gouchos Duke.
He has one win on his card from eight starts but is was a stunning performance as he clocked 28.04 back in June so has to be taken seriously.
Value
The Graham Holland trained Ballinakill Alf looks good value in the outright at 6/1.
He looks the one to beat in heat 4 after finishing second to De Lahdedah last week.
He has a flashy 28.12 on his card at Shelbourne Park so he should set the standard. Jetara won’t be too far away in trap six though as this Owen McKenna trained youngster can really fly.
This is a hot contest with heat winners Short Grip and Stonepark Syd also in with a chance.
It’s all about the early speed in this so I’ll side with Alf if he can overcome his draw in trap five.
Glengar Elvis can win heat 5 for Pat Buckley while the Jerry Melia trained A Lucky Julie can land heat 8 after catching the eye in defeat last week.