Greyhounds Betting: Back a Special Liberty

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 28 July 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Perhaps the best punt of the night could be Special Liberty in the Ladies Trophy final at 8.50."

Darrell Williams reports on the latest news from the world of greyhound racing...

After Sunderland's high class UK Festival card a fortnight ago, it was always going to be difficult for the next live Sky meeting to try and live up to it, but Hove have done a fine job with Tuesday's Sussex Cup final programme, which also includes three other finals.

The feature itself looks a match on paper, with Ballymac Ruso and Windy Millar unsurprisingly dominating the market, and with Matt Dartnall's Derby finalist having beaten his rival comfortably in the semis last Thursday, it's understandable that he heads the betting, particularly as he has again been drawn inside his rival.

Ruso has already secured the Olympic over CD this summer, and success would see him complete a rare double. With a record of five wins from eight starts at the Sussex track, and more importantly an unbroken sequence of four over the CD, if forced to choose he would have to be the pick.

Windy Millar, unraced after his Derby Quarter-final exit until just before this event, is however more than capable of an extremely fast exit, and if he did happen to lead, Ruso may struggle to reel him in. Had Raithby Syrah been drawn in trap six I might even have considered him as a potential upset candidate, but while he should comfortably control the outside anyway drawn inside slow starter Rocky Rocket, I'm not sure his price, as good as it is, is tempting enough. To summarise, for those who fancy a punt I'd suggest Ballymac Ruso, but there are far better opportunities elsewhere.

Perhaps the best of those could be Special Liberty in the Ladies Trophy final (8.50). Lorraine Sams' runner, an Oaks semi-finalist last autumn, was given a break after her defeat on Derby final night and was comfortably the quickest in qualifying. She can take advantage of a likely speed duel between fellow heat winners Swift Ribena and Pennys Sunstar, both of whom will be looking for the same ground from unfavourable outside draws.

The sprint final (8.0) looks difficult, and while Droopys Bocelli is understandably favourite after her marginally fastest heat time, she has an unfamiliar trap one draw to work from and I'd rather side with course specialist Greenlough Speed who has won three of his last starts over CD, and looks a fair price, although that's no doubt down to the loss of the striped jacket.

Ballymac Well is a greyhound set to go places, and while his odds will be prohibitive, he is hard to look beyond in the Puppy Trophy final at 8.15. Pat Rosney's youngster has plenty in hand on the clock from the heats, and looks ideally berthed inside slow trapper Sobers.

I also fancy Shelbourne Janie (9.10), whose victory over the 695m trip at the start of the month was the fastest of the year, and just over two lengths outside the track record. A Cesarewitch semi-finalist, she has won three of her last six outings, and can account for probable favourite Brimardon Star who has a far from perfect draw.

'Star's' sister, Brimardon Helen, actually looks well treated in the 740m contest (8.35), but as usual it will depend if she's in the mood, and with only one win in her last ten starts, I'd rather side with Dazzle Special, who having failed to win all year previously has now claimed her last two outings.

Shaneboy Luke, who has clocked three very fast times over the 515m trip this year, gets the vote in an ultra tough looking Sky opener at 7.40.