StarSports/TRC Greyhound Derby Final Preview- Droopys Plunge
In the first of this week’s daily preview of the six runners lining up at Towcester on Saturday, we take a look at the runner wearing the red jacket, the sole runner representing the UK, Droopys Plunge, trained by Patrick Janssens
StarSports/TRC Greyhound Derby Final Preview- Droopys Plunge
In the first of this week’s daily preview of the six runners lining up at Towcester on Saturday, we take a look at the runner wearing the red jacket, the sole runner representing the UK, Droopys Plunge, trained by Patrick Janssens
Prior to the start of the StarSports/TRC Greyhound Derby, I spoke to Patrick on April 9th as part of a feature called Trainer Chat. When I asked him about who could be a surprise package, he mentioned Slick Sentinel, and also said the following about Droopys Plunge:
"Droopys Plunge (Best Price 40/1) is a quick dog, but he is a bit draw dependant, and I think sometimes he can be a bit all or nothing, but when he gets it right, I think he could be 28.60 sort of dog”.
Janssens certainly hit the nail on the head there
On April 20th, Droopys Plunge lined up in the Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile at Towcester. Much of the talk beforehand was the anticipated clash between Bockos Diamond, Proper Heiress and Wicky Ned and understandably so, but Droopys Plunge was almost forgotten about, maybe even disregarded by some.
However, he produced an eye-catching performance when staying on well to split the winner Proper Heiress and Bockos Diamond, and the bookmakers also sat up and took notice, knocking him into as low 16/1, though 40/1 was still available at the First Round stage.
But it was at that First Round stage where Droopys Plunge produced close to that 28.60 run that Janssens had spoken about previously, when trapping well to make all the running to score by six and a half lengths in 28.64 to defeat Scooby Pacemaker, with Deliveroo back in third, a further couple of lengths behind at odds of 2/7F.
Surprisingly enough, that was Droopys Plunge’s only victory in this year’s Derby....so far
The Second Round saw him defeated at 2/7F and only just managed to qualify for the Third Round stage. Churchfield Syd had torn off in front with Ballymac Blanco in pursuit, but Droopys Plunge had his ground taken rounding the final bends and just lost some momentum, enabling the strong running Vhagar to finish second, but just had enough in the tank to pip Ballymac Blanco for that third qualifying position.
He was to again finish third in the Third Round but didn’t face the same qualification worries in doing so. Having produced one of his better breaks, he was second into the opening bend behind race winner Bubbly Charger, but lost ground at this point when a combination of Glory Lord and Gingers Shelby took his back legs away, causing him to lose a few lengths, but stayed on well in the later stages to finish third behind Bubbly Charger and fellow finalist Bombay Pat.
It was that strong finish that was evident again in the Quarter Final stage when finishing runner up behind Slick Sentinel, with Bockos Diamond a whisker behind back in third. Having trapped reasonably well again, he had a coming together with Droopys Trade round the opening bends before setting off after the leaders. On the run for home, Bockos Diamond was reeled in by Slick Sentinel, but a stride after the line Droopys Plunge was infront of his two rivals.
And so, to the Semi Final’s and another third place finish, this time behind Bockos Diamond and Cheap Sandwiches. Those two led round the opening bends, but Droopys Plunge, after a slow start, got involved in some first bend crowding though never looked likely to miss out on a qualifying spot and finished a comfortable third, again staying on well at the finish
Verdict
Having been as short as 16/1 when going to the traps in his First Round contest, Droopys Plunge is trading around the same sort of mark for the Final, an indication of just how strong this Final is. That said, he had been available at 25/1 before the draw for the Final was made, a price that was quite honestly, an insult to a Greyhound of his ability. He has only raced from Trap One on six occasions in his career, but has won four of those contests and is one from two from the same trap at Towcester.
Yes, he may not have the pace to go with a few of these on the run to the first bend, but he has a cracking draw on the rails to work with, especially as Sole Mio is likely to be turning right on the run up to the bend. If he can produce one of his better breaks himself, there could be a scenario which seems him turning a couple of lengths behind the front runners with an acre of room to work with and if in touching distance of the leaders off the last bend, he could pounce late to score. Odds around the 16/1 mark are still appealing for the Janssens runner, even as an each way bet and he can run a big race with a clear run.
