Guilfoyle duo braced for Derby semis at Shelbourne

TRAPRISE

Only twelve remain in pursuit of a €125,000 prize for the 2026 BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby and having progressed another step along his hopeful passage to a second title in the sport’s greatest classic, trainer Pat Guilfoyle remains double handed following highly pleasing qualifications for Wi Can James and Waitingforastar on Saturday.

First into quarter final action when housed in trap 5 for the opener was Wi Can James (Ballymac Cashout-Right Nicki), bearing the favourite tag following the completion of a heat double when posting a sizzling 29.10 for the 550-yards on the previous weekend.

Breaking on terms, the September 2024 youngster made a minor move to his left but as he did, found Grouchos Chief endeavouring to make a more pronounced move to the right from trap 4. A bump between the pair meant that participation was polarised to qualification hopes at best and precariously positioned between rivals at the corner, the Moneygall star advanced to a challenging second before further bumping. Now a strong six length third at halfway, Wi Can James reduced his margin of defeat to four lengths adrift of 29.31 winner Croydon Avenger, safely advancing in a most game third.

Also, with the favourite mantle for the concluding quarterfinal, Waitingforastar (Droopys Jet-Magical Poppy) put his unbeaten Derby tag on the line from another middle draw in trap 4 and although suffering his first defeat of the event, his was another potent display of latent raw abilities.

Not exiting on galloping stride as he had on the previous weekend, the June 2024 youngster was an unpromising fifth following a minor bump on the run to the opening bend. Still fifth to the backstraight as Low Profile cut out the running, the Guilfoyle powerhouse readily advanced beyond a brace of elite Derby rivals passing halfway and third to the closing bends, was made to wait with nowhere to go for a number of strides before setting sights on the leader off the final turn. Continuing to draw ever closer in the home stretch, Waitingforastar settled for a half-length second and in a winning time of 29.21, the extent of his effort was laudable in the extreme.

The Derby now retains just a sole unbeaten runner ahead of this Saturday’s semi-finals with Michael O’Donovan’s Bouncing Monarch just 11-8 with the sponsors for outright victory having gone fastest of the event in 29.08s on Saturday.

That price has now gone too low for any considered punting interest, especially with Bouncing Monarch’s trap 4 draw for the second semi-final which places him on the outside of three sharp early paced rivals, including Wi Can James with the plumb draw on the rails.

Despite the ideal draw, this remains a treacherous assignment with the supremely talented Sleight Of Hand in trap 2 and quarter final winner Low Profile in three. However, with a smart break, Wi Can James can command the inside rail throughout and subject Bouncing Monarch to his stiffest examination of the Derby thus far.

Indeed, the Guilfoyle duo deserved better fortune in the draw drum at some point of the Derby, and they got it this week with Waitingforastar sure to be happier in trap two for the opening semi-final. Of course, we wish to see him step out of traps more swiftly but anything approaching clear passage will see him qualify once again. Here’s hoping that both can reach the Derby final in a Guilfoyle bid for a second success in the blue riband.

Obelisk impresses at Shelbourne

Staying in the capital, and out of luck with Aulton Cash and A Charda in the Derby opening round, trainer Vincent McKenna was back to winning ways at Shelbourne on Friday as the Pat Hartnett owned Obelisk (Orchestrate-Lillies Supreme) greatly impressed throughout his third career victory.

Lightly raced but pleasingly progressive, the June 2024 whelp was having just his sixth career outing when breaking on terms from trap 5 in the concluding A2 525. Setting up a hat-trick bid next time while building on A4 success, the Borrisokane charge displayed much the best early pace for a comfortable two length lead upon tackling the opening bend. Stretching to four lengths at halfway, his resolve would be tested in the closing stages but ably defending a half-length winning margin, Obelisk improved to a new personal best of 28.73.

The effort will see him rise to A1 for his next outing but with slick early dash a potent attribute, he can be expected to maintain his smart progression.

Vincent McKenna was back at Shelbourne on Saturday to contest the quarter finals of the 2026 Derby Plate with Aulton Cash (Ballymac Cashout-Confident Petal) and his was a runner-up performance of much merit when chasing home Roaming Shelby at a four and a half-length deficit in a fast 29.29s. He will contest a hot opening semi-final from trap 3 this Saturday evening.

Smok a maiden no more

Amidst a host of smart performances from local kennels over the past week, highly notable while long awaited was a maiden career win for John O’Mears’s Ballygibbon Smok (Orchestrate-Screentime) and when it did arrive, it was as impressive as it was deserved.

Front rank from trap 4 in Limerick’s I.R.G.T A4 525 on Saturday, the August 2024 whelp displayed smart dash to lead on the run to the corner and had extended to over two lengths in the backstraight. Remaining in full command thereafter, Ballygibbon Smok drew further clear in this fifteenth career outing, striking the line with four lengths to spare while posting 29.19.

This new career best effort will see her rise to A3 for her next start but with the monkey now off her back, she is more than capable of quickly adding to this first race win.