Crafty Shivoo is the 5/4 favourite with the sponsors to win the BarOne Racing Irish Laurels Final at Curraheen Park this Saturday.
This talented daughter of Droopys Sydney – Ballymac Sanjose was a superb winner of her semi-final heat for trainer Patrick Norris. Showing tremendous early pace from trap two, this 2023 Irish Oaks champion pulled clear of her rivals to clock a time of 28.42 and will race from trap four in the final.
Shivoo finished three lengths in front of Hazelhill Bucko who ran a brilliant race to give young trainer Lucy Roche her first classic finalist. This son of Dromana Bucko will race from trap six with 14/1 available on him to win the €30,000 prize.
Defending champion High Trend qualified in third place for trainer Graham Holland, who managed to get two of his five runners through to the final.
The other of Holland’s runners is Romeo Taylor who won the second semi-final heat in 28.41 for his owner David Firmager. This son of Newinn Taylor – Fabulous Mila showed great power and pace to take up the lead with two lengths back to local runner Droopys Polish for trainer John A. Linehan. Seek The Kingdom ran on strong to qualify in third place for trainer Paul Hennessy.
The 2024 Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 Final also takes place on what promises to be an exciting supporting racecard. The Paul Hennessy trained Dynamic Force won his heat in 28.35 and the Vincent McKenna trained Crokers Sydney won the second heat in 28.68.
Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for Greyhound Racing Ireland, said: “We now know the six finalists for the BarOne Racing Irish Laurels, and it has a bit of everything. It’s wonderful to see young trainer Lucy Roche reach her first classic final with Hazelhill Bucko while local representative John A. Linehan is there with Droopys Polish. The sponsors make Crafty Shivoo the favourite, but Romeo Taylor will be popular too. The best of luck to everyone and thanks to our sponsors.”
