Droopys Oscar’s – banker or blowout?
There is a new kid on the block in the world of greyhound racing. Droopys Oscar has been the name on many people's lips since his breathtaking run at Wimbledon last month, where on only his second start, he equalled the track record (28.25secs) for the 480m course.
To put that into perspective the two other holders of the track record at Wimbledon, Toomaline Jack and Bandicoot Tipoki, both made the finals of the Derby this year, with Bandicoot Tipoki going on to take the crown. Considering Droopy’s Oscar is only a puppy, he has already reached the heights of a world-class greyhound, and with him expected to improve race-by-race, it's frightening how good this hound could be.
Seamus Cahill’s charge makes his first steps into knock-out action this Friday as the William Hill Puppy Derby kicks off at Wimbledon, and Oscar is the strong ante-post favourite for the title.
Strong doesn’t actually do his dominance of the market justice - in a field of 36 dogs spread across six heats, Oscar is currently trading around the 2.00 mark, with his nearest rival, Blonde Snapper a 7.00 shot.
So, does he represent serious value at his current odds?
From my point of view, greyhounds trading around the odds-on mark should be steered clear off due to the somewhat unpredictable nature of the sport, but an exception can be made for a dog of this class in what is, for his high standards, inadequate competition.
He’s drawn in trap six in the fifth heat on Friday, and will go off the shortest-priced favourite of the night. Incredibly he didn’t trap that efficiently the night he broke the track record, and you could say he was lucky not to meet trouble at the first bend. A repeat of his poor start on Friday could leave him struggling for room against the early pace outside of him, but qualification should be assured even if he is last at the first corner, as his pace down the back-straight is simply, awesome.
If he traps well, then the track record is in serious danger of being broken and the 2.00 price of outright victory will disappear. My advice would be to get on now, as his price will only go one way if he impresses once again on Friday.
Punters in all types of sports look for champions who they know they can rely on: Phil Taylor in darts, Roger Federer in tennis, while last season horse racing had Sea The Stars. Maybe this is the birth of greyhound racing’s own money-making machine.
If Droopys Oscar can repay his followers by securing the Puppy Derby, then the first step on his way to punters' hearts will be complete.
Banker.
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