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HAYLEY O'CONNOR |
Weblog: Irish Derby view from the sponsor's PR
It's down to the last 12 as I search for any clue
My superstition antennae get raised whenever I bump into a trainer before racing and Saturday evening it was Dolores Ruth. I asked what was her best chance, to which she replied her ‘Gorgeous’ George. But added one of her dogs, Razldazl Bugatti, must not be overlooked. Coming into the competition he was probably one of her lesser contenders, but he has progressed significantly through the Ladbrokes.com Derby so far. He was injured a while back, but seems to have over come his set-back. On a night of surprises, the pair she mentioned survived.
The head of our greyhound trading was joining us for the quarter-finals and I fully intended on spying on his selections. He's a fountain of knowledge, but kept his cards close to his chest. He's given me a tip in the last race, Tyrur Bobby Joe, but it's our Derby that I'm interested in . . . his answers are similar to that of a polished politician, and I can tell he's definitely got a strong fancy and keeping it to himself.
I'm going to have to find the winner myself. I'm start with the on course lads and then chat toa couple of smart looking punters, information is everything in this game
I spot one of the shrewdest punters in the game and quickly make a bee line for him. He tells me he's not overly keen on last year’s winner Mcguigan and reckons Droopys Twirl will runs big race. How right he was. Mcguigan failed to qualify while Droopys Twirl came second to Croom Star.
Before the draw for next week I meet the famous broadcaster Micheal O Muircheartaigh. This man is a living legend, recently touted to be the next Irish president. He's decided against running and then we get down to the real business, who's going to win the Derby? Without hesitation he says George.
One dog for the shortlist has to be Rockchase Bullet, winner of heat three. But the quarter finals possibly left us with more questions than answers and looking at the last 12, the competition is wide open.
I'm glad to see Hey Gringo still in the running as his fan club are savouring every moment of his success - isn't that what this whole competition is about. If he does get to the final, that's a party I'd like to go to as there’s a team who know how to celebrate.
I never managed to get it out of the head trader just exactly what dog he fancies, but his tip in the last won by a distance so I can't really complain.
The final stages shaping up in a way we hadn't expected but it’sall back for the semis Saturday next.
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Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby - draw
1st semi
1 RAFAS WEE PET
2 RAZLDAZL GEORGE
3 HEY GRINGO
4 ROCKCHASE BULLET
5 DROOPYS TWIRL
6 ROCKVIEW HEAD
2nd semi
1 DREAM WALKER
2 COOLYKEREEN IMP
3 CROOM STAR
4 RAZLDAZL BUGATTI
5 PIERCESTOWN SAND
6 KRUG NINETY FIVE
