GREYHOUND RACING: Droopys Maldini is set to go one better than last year in tonight's Paddy Power Greyhound Derby final at Shelbourne Park, writes Damian Cullen.
The Fraser Black-trained Champion Stakes winner is the even-money hot favourite to claim the €150,000 first prize in the world's richest greyhound race (9.40pm, live on RTÉ 2, Sky Sports 3).
The 144 greyhounds who entered the 2005 event have been slowly whittled down each week since August 10th, with the six finalists always being heavily fancied to survive until the final stage - with the exception of Tyrur Ted, who went out at the quarter-final stage.
Maldini's brother Droopys Marco - the only greyhound to maintain a 100-per-cent record so far in the derby - and English Derby winner Westmead Hawk are expected to pose the strongest challenge to the favourite.
Beaten by Like a Shot in the 2004 final, Droopys Maldini has been in superb form this summer - the 550-yard semi-final was won in a spectacular 29.47 seconds. If Maldini breaks cleanly and avoids mishaps, the only competition will probably be for second place.
Betting: T1 - He Said So, 12/1; T2 - Droopys Maldini, Evens; T3 - Billy Playback, 20/1; T4 - Droopys Marco, 7/2; T5 - Spiral Citrate, 33/1; T6 - Westmead Hawk 9/4.
CYCLING: Ireland's Ray Clarke took an excellent third place in the 30-34 age group 3km pursuit at the World Master's Track championships in Manchester. Gold went to the UK's Michael Hutchinson, with Mick Beers (USA) taking silver.
Earlier this week Clarke finished a fine fifth in the 1km time trial for the same age group, posting a time of 69.53 seconds for the distance.
AUSSIE RULES: Tadhg Kennelly's Sydney Swans have qualified for only their second AFL grand final in 60 years after beating St Kilda 15-6 (96) to 9-11 (65) yesterday. Sydney will chase a first premiership since 1933 next week against West Coast or Adelaide, who meet today.
