Irish St. Leger Semi-Finals: Clonbrien Treaty Aims to Defend Crown, Knockeen Dazzler Ready to Challenge

The semi-finals of the Willwego.com Irish St Leger at Limerick Greyhound Stadium are of the highest quality with joint outright 7/2 favourites Clonbrien Treaty and Knockeen Dazzler meeting in the opening heat. The Graham Holland trained Clonbrien Treaty is looking to defend his crown with this son of Pestana – Clonbrien Millie running out of his skin since the start of this competition. He loves the track but so does Knockeen Dazzler. Trained by young Daniel O’Rahilly from Castleisland, this Con & Annie Kirby Memorial winner produced a career best last week when winning his heat in style in a fast 29.49 off a 2.76 split.

Knockeen wears the stripes while Treaty wears the orange jacket so it’s a tough call. I think the defending champion will have the faster gears into the first bend so he should set the pace. It will be a wonderful race as Jaytee Craze, Barefoot On Fire, Kilcolgan Witney and Extra Gain will all be flying home.

Irish St Leger Semi-Finals: Who to Watch

Ballyhimikin Rex is my choice in the second heat for Billy & John Dunne. He was impressive when winning his quarterfinal in 29.55, holding off a challenge from Miami King who is a powerhouse. The pair meet again here with In Good Time and heat winner Hazelhill Bucko dangers along with Coolavanny Otoo and Ventry Faith who will be running on late.

Irish St Leger: Beyond Limerick

There is a huge night in the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium as they celebrate a ‘Neighbourhood Night’ at the dogs with the €7,000 MCP Group 750 Final the feature race on the busy card. Race 8 is the big one with the popular Tuono Charlie the favourite to win for trainer Sharon Hunt. He has won his last 12 races in a row, not to mention breaking the track record in the opening round with a 40.76! This greyhound will be spoken about for years to come as we don’t get to see many like him. It’s his race to lose with Stayer of the Year Kinturk Road the main danger along with his regular rivals Droopys Comrade and Ballyhooly Tejay.

There are no less than four finals happening at Shelbourne Park with everyone talking about Deadly Disco after his 30.65 win last week in the semi-finals of the A2 Dual Distance over 575 yards. He now steps up to 600 yards but that won’t be a problem as he pulled away to win by nine lengths to trap two here Totilas. Ballymac Joshy was the other heat winner for trainer David Flangan in 31.31. he came from behind to beat pacesetter Chelsea Pat for the Swords Manor syndicate.

There is another Dual Distance final with little to separate Ower Cracker and Robbies Galaxy after their heat wins. The Pat Buckley trained Ower Cracker is in flying form lately with a very good 30.80 clocked over 575 yards while Shea Campbell’s Robbies Galaxy won in 30.77. The track was rated +.20 spots fast. Neon Lights could be the dark dog in trap one for Alan Byrne but I’ll take a chance on Robbies.

De Foxy Devil is coming back to his best for trainer Marie Gilbert so he gets my vote in race 4 while Darbys Queen looks the one in the A1 Bitch final for trainer Patrick Devaney.

Carrick Aldo continues to dominate the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Open 400 at Dundalk for trainer David Murray. You could even say that he is running better this year than he did when he won the title twelve months ago! He won last week in 20.84 so I think he will win the second semi-final from trap four. Track record holder Broadstrand Syd is the one for me in the opening heat for trainer John A. Linehan.

I fancy Romeo Control to win the €6,000 Kasko Derby A1 525 Final at Curraheen Park for trainer Graham Holland. In Kilcohan Park, Barefoot On Song can win the €5,000 John Fitzgerald Memorial Mini Open Bitch Stake Final for trainer Paul Hennessy.