With the racing festival in Tralee long since discontinued it’s left to the two-legged fillies to provide pageant betting opportunities for the perverted, insane and sexist dinosaurs among the betting public at this time of year. Now that smug metrosexual, Ray D’arcy, has been consigned to history it’s hoped that the contest can return to something of its glory days when an aged Gay Byrne routinely removed the footwear of teenage girls he was not related to while professionally maintaining a folksy asexual attitude throughout. Daithi O’Se’s handling of the affair will be the unknown quantity in this year’s show but while this variable may put off some pro punters, this column feels it can still pinpoint value for readers.
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[center]D’arcy: metrosexual[/center]
Having extensively reviewed the pen pictures and actual pictures of the Roses, one thing is apparent immediately. There is a standout candidate head and shoulders above the rest. The most likely result of this year’s event is that the Star of the County Down, Gemma Murphy, will emerge triumphant. At 11/2, this striking 24 year old part time social worker has all the credentials punters look for in an ante post favourite. With a CV which includes Community Youth Worker of the Year 2003, Princess Diana Award Winner, Millennium Volunteer Award winner, suicide prevention specialist, Lions Club volunteering, St Vincent De Paul, bringing kids to Lourdes, saving kids in Tanzania it is hard to see this girl beat. Her job as a diamond trader doesn’t do her any favours but she is expected to make all and win. At 11/2 her odds make little appeal to wary punters in this volatile market however and we must look elsewhere for value.
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[center]Down Rose: worthy favourite[/center]
That value lies in Amerikay. In a contest such as this, a winner with a heart of gold is required. With Katie Dunleavy, the New York Rose, we have a born winner. This outstanding student has already won the US National Mathematics Award, All American Scholar Award and The President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence. She has also performed at the famed Carnegie Hall playing the piano so punters can expect a superb recital when she is called upon for her party piece, there’ll be no ridiculous half assed attempt at Irish dancing from this talented girl. This aspiring research doctor does not have alot of charity work in her repertoire but this has been overvalued by oddsmakers in recent years when personality has shone through above any Mother Teresa impressions so punters should not be disheartened by this. Aesthetically, Katie is quite pleasing and at 19 still has a charming youthfulness about her compared to other old maids in the competition. Punters are encouraged to take a bite out of the Big Apple at the advised odds.
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[center]New York: Overpriced[/center]
Verdict: 1pt win New York - Katie Dunleavy, 22/1 Boyles, Bet365
![http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/images/Down%20Gemma%20Murphy.jpg[/center]](http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/images/Down%20Gemma%20Murphy.jpg%5B/center%5D){kind=link}
![http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/images/New%20York%20Katie%20Dunleavy.jpg[/center]](http://www.roseoftralee.ie/catalog/images/New%20York%20Katie%20Dunleavy.jpg%5B/center%5D){kind=link}