Greyhound Betting: Scurry semis, Summer Stayers

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 12 June 2008 / Leave a Comment

As the Scurry Gold Cup reaches the semi-finals and Monmore hosts the Summer Stayers Classic, Darrell Williams turns up ante post gems.

Perry Barr hosts the semi-finals of the Scurry Gold Cup on Thursday evening with ante post fancies Swift Sapphire and Boherbradda Mac looking live candidates to win their respective races.

The heats could hardly have panned out better with the two clocking the fastest times. Swift Sapphire, marginally the fastest overall, is drawn slightly wider than usual, having secured a trap four berth in the first semi [8.08], but should have enough early pace to clear neighbour Farloe Flapjack, who will also be moving inwards. It's hard not to be taken by Pat Rosney's runner, who ran in by far the hottest first round heat, and should make it six wins from as many starts. Blonde Jet, who ran far better than of late in the first round, looks the biggest danger given his trap one berth.

Boherbradda Mac picked up where he left off after a six week absence in winning his first round heat in good style, and should follow up in the 8.38 heat. Harry Williams, who has his select kennel of runners in excellent form, should make it 10 wins in 12 starts with the three year old from a preferred trap three draw. Ibetx Dot Com, by virtue of a trap six draw, should gain the other qualifying slot.

Defending champion Horseshoe Ping was never going to catch Swift Sapphire after a missed break, but should make few mistakes in the other semi-final [9.12]. Although prone to the occasional slow start, Jim Reynolds' runner has been handed a relatively easy heat and is unlikely to let his supporters down.

Not too faraway from Perry Barr, Monmore stages the finals of four competitions on Friday afternoon, all live in your local betting shop, with the Summer Stayers Classic the feature event [5.17].

My ante post pick Pond Gallileo was stunningly caught on the line by Selecta Moon in Monday's semi-finals having worked hard to get to the front after a slower than usual start. Given he's likely to start short again, it might be worth trading a bit back to guarantee a profit if you played before the first round, although I still believe the Harry Williams (again!) trained runner looks the most likely winner. It was hard though not to taken by the run of Selecta Moon, who is sure to be finishing well again, and for those looking for a slightly bigger price; he undoubtedly rates a valid alternative.

Ninja Jamie failed to catch strong front runner Tyrur Rocky in the heats of the 'Dogs', but now Charlie Lister's runner has had the benefit of a look round, he should extract his revenge in the final (4.57). A recent winner of the Derby Plate, he's likely to prove too quick and too classy this time, with Marbeck Wonder, subject of a gamble when winning his own heat, rated best of the rest.

I take Townbrow Melody to get the better of market leader Droopys Mate in the Bitches final at 4.37. The Pat Rosney trained runner was by far the fastest of the heat winners and looks ideally placed drawn inside middle edging Droopys Ivanovic. Seamus Cahill's Droopys Mate, eventually won her heat in good style, but again faces the early paced threat of Saleen Aoife.