GREYHOUND RACING/Derby final: Unlike recent years, the world's richest greyhound race promises to be a wide open contest at Shelbourne Park tonight.
While the Fraser Black-trained Droopys Maldini will surely exit trap two as the favourite to be first home in the final of the €280,000 Paddy Power Irish Greyhound Derby this evening, all six dogs have been attracting strong support from punters.
Black also has a dog lining up in the "coffin", though it would be a big surprise if Droopys Marco were to outshine the other English-owned dog by having its nose in front at the finish line.
There is only one owner-trained dog left in the Derby, with Disguised entering the same trap as the greyhound that Kildare-based owner and trainer Reggie Roberts brought all the way to last year's final - First Charter. It's there, however, that all similarities between the two ends.
Running out of Trap Three last year, First Charter was a rank outsider - leaving the trap at 50 to 1 - and he lived up to the billing. Disguised, however, has been tipped by many this week as the one that can follow in the steps of last year's front runner.
"Last year we had no chance," said Roberts. "Climate Control was everyone's favourite and it duly obliged. This year it's more open. There's not a length between the six left. No 40 to 1 outsider. It's all down to the run on the night. You can make a case for any of the dogs."
Disguised, available at 40s before the first-round heats, won't be used to the white jacket, but Roberts doesn't believe that will be a problem.
"He's good early pace, and anyway, someone has to go in it. He was in trap five last week and four before that. So we're getting closer the inside. He ran better from four alright, but he'll be grand, I hope so anyway. Hopefully, he can't measure a few feet."
Despite Disguised and Like a Shot coming home first and second in their semi-final last weekend, third-placed Droopys Maldini is still favoured by many to be first home over the 550 yards and claim the €150,000 first prize. But can Maldini be beaten? "Well, we beat him last weekend. So why not again?" said Roberts.
In last Saturday's first semi-final, the other Droopys finished between Geldrops Touch and World Class.
And with trap five producing the last three Greyhound Derby winners (Cool Performance, 2001; Bypass Byway, 2002 and Climate Control, 2003) the Kilkenny owners of Like a Shot will be hoping that tradition is maintained for at least another season.
Geldrops Touch, however, could be the dog to upset that tradition, with the 2004 Clonmel Produce Stakes winner capable of reaching the first turn at the head of the field - and more than capable of staying there
The Tote Trio Pools are guaranteed for a minimum of €100,000. Racing commences at Ringsend at 7.30 p.m. this evening and tickets (€20) will be available at the turn-styles.
PADDY POWER GREYHOUND DERBY FINAL
Betting: T1 World Class 6/1 (Come on Ranger - Queen Survivor); T2 Droopys Maldini 15/8 (Droopys Kewell - Little Diamonduk); T3 Disguised 4/1 (Larkhill Jo - Newbridge Girl); T4 Droopys Marco 10/1 (Droopys Kewell - Little Diamonduk); T5 Like a Shot 14/1 (Larkhill Jo - Black Stone Lace); T6 Geldrops Touch 5/2 (Droopys Vieri - Sporting Cleo).
