Saturday 6 (2.5.09)

Mark it down - I made a loss on my Saturday 6 selections last week, my first loss for a few weeks.

But I won't be dwelling on it.  The English Derby begins this weekend and there is splendid racing in Shelbourne Park too. It's not halcion times for the dog game, but the quality of racing cannot be faulted.

We'll start at the Don shall we?

Mark Wallis is leading the charge to be Champion Trainer, and he has a strong team of dogs, but to be honest I cannot see a Derby winner in his kennel. But Eye Onthe Brave could be a nice one for Yankees on Saturday as he is in with dogs with big reputations (Soviet Maldini and Tyrur Kenny) that have not settled in the UK yet.  The fact that Brave is only 4th in the betting is crazy shit considering Eye Onthe Brave won an open here a week ago. He will like being on the rails and no trainer's dogs will be fitter than Mark Wallis' dogs at this stage of the Derby. He is priced 4/1 with the sponsors - I'll gamble and take the SP.

RECOMMENDATION: Wimbledon 9.15 Eye Onthe Brave SP

Barnfield On Air - a super dog - but don't really perform at his best at Plough Lane. Saying that he did win twice in the early rounds here last year and made the semis.  But a year is a long time with greyhounds and 'Barney' has been off for a long time.  I backed Mountjoy Ruby at Hall Green recently and to be honest he showed nothing from the coffin box. But drawn in stripes he is a different proposition.  He's not a Derby dog in my book but he is certainly good enough to take advantage of any toruble between the jolly and Eye Eye Pickle who can pace up well.

RECOMMENDATION: Mountjoy Ruby 6/1 Blue Square

There is little to stop Pat Buckley at the moment and Slip The Lark has an absolute peach of a draw in this race. Outside the strong running but moderate starting Bandicoot Tipoki (who is 4/6 and shorter despite his recent defeat) Slip The Lark can pace up ahead of Kinda Easy and it' oi oi oi oi this is the bet of the night.  This dog was touted as a 'Wimbledon dog' throughout 2008 - here is his chance to shine.  The fact that Attykitt Admiral (as gutsy a dog at the bend as any in training) is drawn inside Tipoki strengthens my confidence.

RECOMMENDATION:Wimbledon 10.15 Slip The Lark 2/1 Blue Square

Another Saturday night, another great card at HQ.

The 3rd race on the card is a heat of the Oran Majestic Open 550 stake. Tip And Tin is a dog coming into form again and is possibly a justified favourite. However a dog that I thought ran a peach last week was Pat O'Connor's Christmas Box.  The beaten favourite for the Juvenile Classic in Tralee a few weeks back did a nice trial on his first look (2881) and won his heat of this stake last week in 30.33 - I think the track was 20 slow last week. Expect more improvement in this inexperienced Brett Lee hound.

RECOMMENDATION: Shelbourne Park R3 Christmas Box

I'd love to see Georgeisgorgeous win R5. He walked out of the red box last week and although I am sorely tempted, I will watch this race.

RECOMMENDATION: Shelbourne Park R5 No Bet

The Ladbrokes 600 is a weak renewal this year. Why? 2 words - College Causeway.  When Bucks declared his kennel star was not going to Wimbledon, several dogs ideally suited to Ireland's oldest sponsored Classic, sidestepped it and went into the Oran Majestic 550. Now that is only my opinion but Tip And Tin and Faypoint Man would definitely get 600yards easily enough.

So College Causeway is probably not going to be a proposition for punting as I can see 1/5 on the board for this lad.  If we get good weather, I think the clock goes in this stake.

Dundrum Minor is fast becoming a favourite of mine - he makes me money regularly which is always good and he is similar to Shelbourne Aston in that he is a regular winner of the bumper at HQ.  I think if he clears Blackstone Gene he wins.  UK raider Droopys Carvalho is a major player in this if he takes to the track - don't mind these muppets that belittle the UK form - this dog can run.  He will come on for the run.

RECOMMENDATION: Shelbourne Park R9 Dundrum Minor

R10 - one word - A-C-C-O-R-D-E-L-L-O

Recommendation: Shelbourne Park R10 Accordello

Year To Date Saturday 6 : 23/49 +4.42pts

Comments

[Ken]

Good luck Johnny.

With College Causeway dominating the market in the Ladbrokes 600 it has a good shape for an each way punt. Droopys Carvalho at 14/1 with Bet365 is the one for me.