(Photo is Sharon Mc Hugh of BoyleSports & Dan Brasil and connections of Cheap Sandwiches)
Cheap Sandwiches and Callaway Knegare have both qualified for the final of the BoyleSports Irish Derby, finishing 1st and 2nd in their respective semi-finals.
The final at Shelbourne Park next Saturday will see Callaway Knegare in trap 1 for Brosna’s Field Sports syndicate, with Cheap Sandwiches going from trap 3 for Tralee’s Bark Wahlberg syndicate.
Knockeen Dazzler won race 9 at Shelbourne Park for Daniel O’Rahilly, Castleisland while first in the opener at Limerick was Daleroad Poppy for Lixnaw’s Thomas and John O’Keeffe.
Greyhound Racing Ireland Derby report:
Bockos Diamond became the first greyhound to book his spot into the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Final on Saturday night at Shelbourne Park.
In front of a packed stadium, this Graham Holland trained star equalled his own track record by winning the opening semi-final in a time of 28.94 for his owners the Remember-Them syndicate.
This son of Dorotas Wildcat – Seaglass Shadow was paw-perfect from trap three as he cruised to a five and a half-length victory with a flashy 16.58 sectional to the third bend, sensational. Callaway Knegare was second for Owen McKenna and The Field-Sports syndicate from County Kerry and A Lucky Julie grabbed third place for trainer/owner Jerry Melia from County Kildare. Callaway is 10/1. Julie is the 25/1 outsider.
It was a quick fire double for the Riverside Kennels as Cheap Sandwiches won the second semi-final in 29.13, a career best. He has progressed during the competition with the sponsors making him the main danger to his kennelmate at odds of 11/2. He is owned by the Bark-Wahlberg syndicate from County Kerry.
Known as Sambo at home, this son of Burgess Bucks – Hearthill Josie flew from trap three and won by four lengths with the Pat Buckley trained Singalong Dolly qualifying in second place for her owner Gilbert Anderson.
BoyleSports Bob ran on strong to finish third for trainer Paul Hennessy and owners John Boyle & Ned Murphy. Dolly is 20/1 and Bob is 14/1.
*** Droopys Kathleen won The Gourmet Island Puppy Oaks 525 Final worth €10,000 for trainer Robert Gleeson and owner Dylan Browne-McMonagle.
Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for Greyhound Racing Ireland, said: “Trainer Graham Holland is chasing his fourth Irish Derby title and Bockos Diamond is just 3/10 to do it! It’s an extremely short price but he is a worthy favourite as he has been infallible during this competition. Jerry Melia is chasing his first derby win with A Lucky Julie who was backed at odds of 100/1 before the start. Owen McKenna is looking for a third derby win while Pat Buckley and Paul Hennessy are chasing win number two. Best of luck to all finalists!”
