Saturday night is going to be another of those red-letter nights for the owners, trainers and supporters of Midtown Raffa. They’ll be heading for Shelbourne Park for the final of the Doire Construction Champion Stakes.
In last Saturday night’s semi-finals, Sidarian Vega and Raffa clocked identical times of 29.65 in their respective qualifiers while Barefoot Artist sprang a 10-1 upset in the other heat – according to the Irish Greyhound Board website. They’ll find themselves in traps No 1 and No 3 respectively. The Castleisland and Scart connections will be confident of another big time win as the trap No 3 suits Raffa.
“The Moss O’Connor trained Irish Independent Laurels winner Midtown Raffa (Kinloch Brae/ Rafa Baby) gave another very polished performance when leading all the way to win the concluding heat in 29.65. He was fast away from the three box and led up from Budgie Bypass and Urban Gossip.
Fair Taxes moves smartly down the back and tried to go through on the inside at the third bend but was forced to check and Urban Gossip was forced to check. Midtown Raffa continued up front on his merry way and had a length and a half to spare over Budgie Bypass with Gaytime Hawk some four lengths third,” according to the report.
The draw for the final and trap numbers are as follows: 1. Sidarian Vega; 2. Riverside Pat; 3. Midtown Raffa; 4. Paradise Maverik; 5. Barefoot Artist and 6. Budgie Bypass.
May the wind and the rest of the runners be at his back.
