Flying
Jap goes fastest in Cool round two victory!by Paul Cooney
The major events of greyhound racing are never easily won
and nowhere was this more evident than in the second round heats of the 2015
Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake with an action packed night
providing surprise winners with shock eliminations, but the session also
brought a stunning performance from Coolvanny Jap as the Pat Buckley runner
registered the fastest time of the competition when dominating heat 4 in 28.22!
Coolavanny Jap lit up Limerick in round two!
Held when third to fastest round one heat winner Hoodwinked
the previous week, Coolavanny Jap clearly benefited for his Limerick debut when
finding a smart break from trap 3 and shook off the early attentions of both
Greenisle Rover and Satin Tess to forge a one and a half length lead at the
turn. He had stretched readily clear entering the back-straight with victory
beyond doubt and when 16.11 flashed up on the stadium clock for the
intermediate split, patrons were forewarned of the brilliant 525 yard time he
was about to post. Only once bettered in the short history of the stake by
Leamineigh Turbo with 28.16 in 2013, this performance realises his immense
potential and makes him the leading player for outright honours. Far from
disgraced when five lengths second was Ballyhooly Henry who, matched the winner
for pace from the halfway point, overtaking Satin Tess on the back-straight.
Three remain unbeaten
Our eight heats saw just three runners remain unbeaten in
the event and first to register back to back wins was Graham Holland’s Rural
Hawaii when again displaying impressive pace throughout heat 1 after a good
start from trap 6. He paced up well on the outside, crucially denying the well
backed trap 5 runner-up, Brendan Matthews’s Cable Bay an early lead. His 28.48
winning time when a two and a half length victor makes him a big force in the
competition should he continue to find clear runs from his wide seed as he
fully sees out the trip, an admirable quality in addition to his early pace.
Our next repeat winner came in the following “heat of death”
where Rachel Wheeler’s Cunning Barney warmed to his Kirby task by posting a
Limerick hat-trick. He had a favourable draw in a heat that contained some
serious outright fancies and used his rails pitch from trap 1 to good effect
for a clear run in a tight first bend tussle. Claiming the lead at the second
turn he stretched clear thereafter for a five and a half length verdict over
Baile Mhic in 28.57 with Ballydoyle Honey performing a Houdini like escape to
claim the third qualifying place despite being plumb last between the second
and fourth bends! The big casualties here were first round winners Leave at
Dawn and Farloe Hunter when finding traffic at the opening turns.
Braedon registers saucy six timer!
Closing the Kirby heats with a six timer to start his career
was Robert Gleeson’s Droopys Braedon when dominating heat 8 following a
blistering 1.19 sectional from an ideal trap 1 on his way to a six and a half
length verdict over Fastaway Jayfkay in 28.49 with Go Ahead filling third.
Droopys Braedon continues to improve his breaking and if he can keep drawing an
inside berth, may justify his outright favouritism with odds currently as low
as 4/1!.
Other notable winners on the night were Beaming Boost who
showed pleasing progression for his Limerick debut to repel Go Django by two
lengths in heat 7, recording 28.53 while Ivy Hill Bart gave a thoroughly
professional performance in heat 6 with a smart break and all round pace to
defeat Boherna Pedro by four lengths in 28.63.
Big guns
fire big bullets in first quarter-final
The in-form kennels of Graham Holland hold a strong Kirby hand
Trainer Graham Holland retains a very strong hand in the
stake from his original seven entries with four still standing at quarter-final
stage but close on his heels is Pat Buckley with three of his eight entries
remaining and heat 1 will ignite our third night of fiery Kirby action as these
prolific kennels will load their leading players into adjoining traps for a
mouth watering opening heat tussle. Buckley’s Coolavanny Jap is the fastest
runner in the stake thus far and he is hard to fervently oppose but expect
Holland’s Ballydoyle Honey to improve on his two previous efforts now and give
the favourite a thorough examination of his Kirby credentials with what looks
his best draw of the competition. From trap 3 he can lead the runners on his
inside for a rails pitch at the bend. This scenario should see him and
Coolavanny Jap contest the lead off the second bend from where we will be
treated to an epic back-straight buckle between two supremely talented
youngsters. The potential fly in the ointment here could be Brendan Mathews’s
Cable Bay in trap 6. He improved markedly last week when displaying impressive
back-straight pace and a clear run on the outside can see him be very
competitive.
Sizzling Braedon chases seven straight successes
The unbeaten Droopys Braedon is chasing his seventh straight
victory in a wonderful career start but faces by far his toughest assignment yet
in heat 2 where he meets fastest round one winner Hoodwinked for Brendan
Matthews in trap 6 along with Pat Buckley’s powerhouse Beaming Boost in trap 2.
However the Robert Gleeson trained early pacer has again got the best of the
draw in trap 1 and it is hard to see him being denied a back-straight lead
which would just about see him home. Beaming Boost can track him to the second
turn and given a clear run, could seriously threaten in the home-straight.
Hoodwinked has to bounce back from his defeat last week when surrendering what
appeared a clear winning chance. Ponderous when exiting the second bend he
failed to show the sizzling form of his round one win but clearly is a big
challenger if more assured this week.
2013 winning trainer Owen McKenna has just one remaining
challenger for the €80,000 first prize but his Go Django has a plausible
opportunity to register his first Limerick win in heat 3 where he can be
fancied to hold a rails lead from trap 2. He can lead trap 1 runner Country
Legend for a clear run and a likely return to the sizzling form of his Tralee
debut in just his fifth career start now. The afore mentioned Country Legend can
show big pace from the second bend and expect him to make a strong late bid to
qualify along with Liscahane Royal in trap 6 who can gain a clear run as the
sole wide seed.
The inside draw can prove crucial for Braedon & Barney
Rachel Wheeler’s Cunning Barney emerged victorious from
round two’s hottest heat when using his trap 1 draw to good effect at the bends
and having drawn the red jacket again, has clear claims of completing a
Limerick four-timer in our closing heat. He can outpace those on his immediate
outside for a bold bid throughout but will be tested to his limits by Graham
Holland’s unbeaten stake runner Rural Hawaii. He has shown brilliant early pace
in both heats and looks set to lead on the outside. He gets a narrow vote to
slingshot into the lead off the second bend and remain unbeaten. Warranting big
respect in the heat are Ivy Hill Bart who can prove a big threat throughout if
repeating his latest slick start and Ballyhooly Henry who showed impressive
back-straight pace when ceding no ground to fastest heat winner Coolavanny Jap
from the second bend last week.
A fantastic night of opening round action in the Con &
Annie Kirby Memorial has set the scene for another epic renewal of the richest
puppy stake in the world, with many outright ante-post fancies laying down
markers from the outset but just as the event ended last year, so it began in
2015 with a Brendan Matthews winner!
Brendan Matthews (left) with Kirby sponsor Noreen McManus
Affectionately known in coursing circles as “the wee man”,
Brendan Matthews is both feared and respected in equal measure. He landed the
2014 final with Boylesports Hero and arrived to Limerick this time around with
three comrades from a litter by Foleys Folly out of Toms Delight. All three had
made moderate career starts last Autumn with little indication on bare form that
they could be serious Kirby contenders. Off the track for the duration of the
coursing season, they returned with eye-catching sprint trials at Limerick and
there was an air of inevitability coupled with retrospective knowing nods as
Leave At Dawn scorched to a highly impressive victory in our opening round 1
heat. He made a moderate start from trap 5 but hit the front when galloping the
second bend like a seasoned professional in just his fourth career start and
stretched readily clear on the back-straight. His winning time of 28.53 when
three lengths in advance of Minglers Suarez would only be surpassed by two
runners on the night, one of which was his own brother as Hoodwinked would go
fastest of all in heat 10.
A level start from trap 6 was enough to see Hoodwinked
dominate his field with far superior early pace for a first bend lead. He had
stretched to a four length advantage by midway on the back-straight and
maintained that gap to the line when recording a scorching 28.37. He was
followed home by Across The Way and Coolavanny Jap and the fact that these
impressive runners were unable to make an impression on Hoodwinked only adds
more substance to a breath-taking performance.
Honey leads the way in Holland’s sweet treble
Clonmel Champion Unraced winner Ballydoyle Honey
Leading trainer on the night was Graham Holland who scored
the first leg of a treble in heat 2 as Clonmel Champion Unraced winner
Ballydoyle Honey looked extremely comfortable on the Limerick circuit. Hitting
the front off the second bend he charged impressively down the back-straight
for a seven length verdict over Pale Moon in 28.58. Holland’s Cabra Mufasa then
broke well from trap 1 in heat 4 to dominate throughout in 28.98 before Rural
Hawaii claimed a place on the outright shortlist with a brilliant early paced
display, despite being led from trap 6 in heat 10. He cleverly switched inside
his wide running trap 5 rival on the run to the bend, gaining clear racing room
that would see him dominate throughout in a slick 28.55. Catching the eye when
last off the second bend here was Ruairi Dwan’s Mildean Cougar who powered from
halfway to reduce an eight length deficit to just three and a half lengths at
the line and the Thurles raider now looks a player in the stake on a track that
will suit his racing style.
A maiden entering this event, Owen McKenna will be delighted
to chalk a mark in the win column at the seventh attempt with his Farloe Hunter.
He tracked Warrior Gem in the early strides before launching a telling
back-straight thrust that would see him home by five lengths in 28.46. He will
roll the dice at the first bend going forward but if within striking range on
the back-straight, will prove a big threat to any prospective champion.
A leading outright fancy for the event having registered
28.38 in graded company here last month, Robert Gleeson’s Droopys Braedon made
a pleasing transition to open class when just forging a one length lead at the
opening turn of heat 5. He showed steely determination when matched and tight
for room on both sides upon exiting trap 4 before recording a smart 28.68, a length
in advance of strong staying Beaming Bucko.
The draw for round 2 has thrown up some fascinating clashes from
the very start and while the opening heat may appear a straightforward forecast
with Rural Hawaii and Mildean Cougar fancied to fight out the finish as they
did in round 1, watch out for the third of Brendan Matthews’s runners, Cable
Bay in trap 5. On the evidence of his litter brothers, he may step up markedly
from his round 1 third and cuts a very interesting figure here.
Something must give in heat 2
While heat 1 can be labelled intriguing, the following heat
2 can only be described as vicious, where four previous heat winners will
collide and something must give. Cunning Barney was a 28.70 winner in round 1
and he has the best of the draw now in red. He can trap faster than he did last
week and has a 28.42 win at Limerick on his card but if he manages to qualify
then we are assured to lose at least one sub 28.60 winner from last week.
Ballydoyle Honey took to the track very pleasingly in his heat win but has a
scary draw in trap 2 now for not only has he to worry about Cunning Barney but
his kennel companion Riverside Gold in trap 3 can fly to the bend. He has not
trapped well enough the last twice however so it is plausible that Barney can
just about escape unscathed. It is no easier for those on the outside but Leave
At Dawn should get a run if he repeats his split from last week and he along
with Cunning Barney appear to have the best of the draw. Having impressed so
much when clocking 28.46 in round 1, Owen McKenna’s Farloe Hunter may have to
pull out all the stops now for a coveted qualifying place in a heat that would
grace the final itself.
Heat 3 will then offer a highly plausible repeat win for
Hoodwinked (trap 5) who is fancied to match Warrior Gem (trap 4) when the lids
open before outpacing him to the bend in a likely straight forecast. Also
likely to register a second heat win is Droopys Braedon with his plumb draw in
trap 1 of the concluding heat 8. He can match Black Tom on his immediate
outside for a clear run and back-straight lead with this scenario, the forecast
suggestion.
With the safety net of a fourth qualifying place now gone,
expect the leading players of Kirby 2015 to lay down their markers in search of
the €80,000 prize and enjoy a guaranteed night of racing excellence by
Ireland`s best young trackers.
BETTING
Beaming Bucko
8/1
Droopys Braedon
8/1
Ballydoyle Honey
10/1
Farloe Hunter
10/1
Rural Hawaii
12/1
Go Django
14/1
Beaming Boost
14/1
Cunning Barney
14/1
Hoodwinked
14/1
Bruno Ya Know
16/1
Coolavanny Jap
20/1
Leave At Dawn
20/1
Ballyhooly Henry
25/1
Milldean Cougar
25/1
Baile Mhic
33/1
Riverside Gold
33/1
Rackethall Royal
33/1
Jumeirah Mikey
33/1
Mimis Ace
33/1
Knight Invader
33/1
Cabra Mufasa
33/1
Cable Bay
33/1
Across The Way
33/1
Liscahane Royal
50/1
Warrior Gwen
50/1
Boherna Pedro
50/1
Ivy Hill Bart
50/1
Razldazl Rubin
50/1
Matts Marine
50/1
Hawthorne Rumble
50/1
Shaneboy Dubh
66/1
Country Legend
66/1
Pale Moon
66/1
Fastaway Jayfkay
66/1
Tynwald Rodney
66/1
Steeple Rd Vic
66/1
Minglers Suarez
66/1
Black Tom
66/1
Go Ahead
66/1
Moanteen Merlin
66/1
Lemon Fabia
66/1
Ring Ben
100/1
Munster Mission
100/1
Greenisle Rover
100/1
Piecestown Away
100/1
Carrowkeale Spike
100/1
Ballinclare Mars
100/1
Satin Tess
200/1
Thursday, 5 March 2015
Superstars
will be born in Kirby 2015…….it’s back!
The success of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy
Stake since it’s inception in 2013 has seen the event promote itself to one
of the most influential competitions not only in Ireland but on the world stage,
with it’s lofty tag as the richest puppy stake on the planet drawing envious
attention from all corners of the greyhound globe.
Making this success possible is the generosity of Noreen
& J.P McManus through their sponsorship and innovative inclusion of the
GAA Clubs in County Limerick which has made this festival of young greyhound
talent a compelling spectacle on the track but also in the stands with
enthusiastic support for all 72 contenders, guaranteed. All patrons, owners and
trainers are encouraged to express a debt of gratitude to the McManus Family at
every turn for the chance to race for our €80,000 first prize is a rare and
precious opportunity.
Unique in many ways, the relaxed age restriction on these
pups to 26 months of age means that the event receives these talented young
trackers at a further stage of development than any other puppy stakes around
the country and ready to launch themselves to the upper echelons of the sport
in what has become the birthplace of superstars. We have seen two phenomenal
greyhounds land the outright honours in our previous stagings as Owen McKenna’s
Roxholme Bully took the inaugural event in 2013 with powerful displays
throughout, while Brendan Matthews Boylesports Hero was breath-taking in his
march to glory last year. Both these wonderful winners subsequently had their
race careers cease prematurely but such was their prowess that we now eagerly
await the first of their progeny to hit the racing scene. We have also seen an
Irish Derby winner emerge from this stake through Slippery Robert along with
finalists Vulturi and Emers Superstar and last season’s English Derby third
Crokers Champ.
Roxholme Bully relaxing at stud!
Be fully aware that what you witness tonight and throughout
our five nights of “Kirby” action will have far reaching influence on the
greyhound word for you will be watching many of these runners contest future
major events of the sport and you will most likely be availing of their
services at stud or purchasing their progeny in due course….greyhound races
don’t get much more significant than this!
With varying levels of achievement across many venues
nationwide, one can not be adamant about a likely outright winner but some
novice events have provided good pointers in the past two years and can do
again now. Roxholme Bully began his career in Clonmel’s Champion Unraced Stake
before victory here and tonight we have four runners from this year’s final of
that event with the winner, Ballydoyle Honey taking his chance from trap 4 in
heat 2. He will be a match for most in the early strides but possesses huge
back-straight pace which has proved an essential weapon to land classics on
this circuit and the wide expanses of Limerick appear to offer highly plausible
claims of a deep run for the Graham Holland powerhouse. Holland is also responsible
for the runner-up in that event, Riverside Gold who has exceptional early pace.
He failed to break on his Limerick debut last time but if returning to top
form, would be a big force in heat 6 tonight. This pair may be the leading
players from the kennels strong team of seven entries.
Topping the list of entries with eight runners is trainer
Pat Buckley and the Irish St Leger winning kennels from November last has
assembled an impressive team for more Limerick classic glory now. His
Coolavanny Jap races from trap 2 in heat 10 tonight and can get his campaign
off to a winning start. He boasts sizzling clocks at Shelbourne Park before a
trip to Towcester and the significant scalp of El Flutter. His trials over the
past weeks here suggest he is primed for a big Kirby challenge. The kennels
will also lead Puppy Derby third Dolcino Flyer to trap 2 in heat 4 and he too
has trialled well at the circuit and a forward show can be expected on his
re-appearance. These two may lead the way but the Buckley runners throughout the card merit huge respect.
2014 winner Boylesports Hero
Last year’s winning trainer and coursing aficionado Brendan
Matthews returns for another tilt at Kirby glory with three interesting
comrades by Foleys Folly out of Toms Delight. None of these have been seen
since modest career starts last autumn but impressive recent sprint trials
suggest they have the required talent to make an impact in the competition and
who would dare put a repeat victory beyond the reach of this prolific training
establishment. They will contest heats 1, 5 and 10 with a watching brief
advised, for now!
These are just some of the likely highlights on our opening
night of action but there is a wealth of talent on show throughout the heats.
Prepare to have your breath taken repeatedly by these racing superstars and
gorge like a child in a sweet shop on the entertainment they are guaranteed to
provide over the coming month of mouth watering greyhound racing…..thank heaven it’s back!
BETTING Beaming Bucko 8/1 Droopys Braedon 10/1 Ballydoyle Honey 12/1 Farloe Hunter 12/1 Go Django 14/1 Rural Hawaii 14/1 Ballymac Gordie 16/1 Baile Mhic 20/1 Riverside Gold 20/1 Beaming Boost 20/1 Cunning Barney 20/1 Coolavanny Jap 20/1 Droopys Ford 20/1 Trinity Forest 20/1 Riverside Siesta 25/1 Bruno Ya Know 25/1 Dolcino Flyer 25/1 Rackethall Royal 25/1 Ballyhooly Henry 25/1 Jumeirah Mikey 33/1 Mimis Ace 33/1 Lenson Premier 33/1 Knight Invader 33/1 Milltown King 50/1 Clondoty Alex 50/1 Cabra Mufasa 50/1 Liscahane Royal 50/1 Davys Maestro 50/1 Dungill Rocket 50/1 Warrior Gwen 50/1 Shaeboy Dubh 50/1 Milldean Cougar 50/1 Boherna Pedro 50/1 Rockchase Master 50/1 Ivy Hill Bart 50/1 Razldazl Rubin 50/1 Country Legend 66/1 Leave At Dawn 66/1 Peregrine Falcon 66/1 Pale Moon 66/1 Fastaway Jayfkay 66/1 Ballybough Mike 66/1 Cable Bay 66/1 Teejays Bono 66/1 Tynwald Rodney 66/1 Steeple Rd Vic 66/1 Home Harvey 66/1 Slade Paddy 66/1 Across The Way 66/1 Hoodwinked 66/1 Minglers Suarez 100/1 Matts Marine 100/1 Anglo Steel 100/1 Ring Ben 100/1 Hawthorne Rumble 100/1 Munster Mission 100/1 Bullofstonehall 100/1 Greenisle Rover 100/1 Piecestown Away 100/1 Carrowkeale Spike 100/1 Winetavern Megan 100/1 Black Tom 100/1 Ballinclare Mars 100/1 Starlight Speedy 200/1 Bartlemy Queen 200/1 Cree Rumble 200/1 Fox Mountain 200/1 Go Ahead 200/1 Max A Million 200/1 Alfjack 200/1 Satin Tess 200/1 Willmount Jewell 200/1 Each way odds » 1/4 Places 1,2,3,4 Top
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
2014 Irish St Leger Final
2014
Kerry Agri-Business Irish St Leger…...the story so far!
Semi
shocks leave Limerick set for Classic Leger finale
Following two thrilling semi-finals on Saturday last, the
2014 Kerry Agri-Business Irish St Leger comes to a most anticipated conclusion
tonight with a mouth watering final line-up that will draw down the curtain on a
Classic renewal that has offered all that is good in the sport and maintains
this wonderful competition’s status as one of the most prestigious prizes in
Greyhound racing, very much intact!
In a truly remarkable performance twelve months ago, Irish
and Limerick Oaks winner, Locnamon Bridie ensured greyhound immortality with a
dominant final display. She made the bend in front from trap 3 and powered to a
commanding lead on the back-straight where even Tyrur Sugar Ray failed to make
inroads against the breath-taking bitch who registered a three and half length
victory in a brilliant 29.34. There was again a strong challenge by the fairer
sex this year in a bid to emulate the great bitch and tonight will see Borna
Central carry the flag as the last bitch standing.
Nidge led the way with record rd 1 win
This year’s event was sparked into life when in our opening
session of round one action Droopys Nidge set a blistering new standard for the
550 yard trip by dominating heat 8 in a new track record time of 29.29! He
would subsequently exit at quarter final stage but such has been the quality
throughout the competition that even his elimination could not detract from
what has been a sizzling month of Leger fireworks from the onset.
Others to leave an indelible mark on that opening night were
Pat Buckley’s Paradise Silva who scored a dominant heat 4 win in a slick 29.62
while Gerry Holian’s Emers Superstar looked at home now back at the Limerick
circuit when displaying devastating early pace before taking control of heat 6
off the second bend for a nine length win in 29.66. The concluding two heats of
night one action sent local patrons home with a smile as James Roche’s Ballyana
Foxtrot firstly scored an impressive early paced victory in heat 10 when
leading throughout for a two and a half length verdict over fellow finalist
Vulturi. Heat 11 then went to Tim Gilbourne’s powerful bitch Cloon Glory who
took up the running off the second bend to lead home Hannibal Rising by one and
half lengths in 29.97.
Big guns turn up the heat in round 2
With the luxury of a fourth qualifying place gone, three of
tonight’s finalists along with some of the competition’s main protagonists
signalled their respective intentions with brilliant round 2 performances that
threw the competition wide open as the new track record holder felt the classic
heat despite getting the better of Burgess Oscar in an epic heat 5 tussle. The
pair fought out a thrilling buckle all along the back-straight with Nidge just
getting on top approaching the line for a half length verdict in 29.62 over the
Cork raider who would influence the outright betting market following this game
display.
Another close affair on the night saw Liam Dowling’s
Vulturi, just mow down Metro Jack in the shadow of the post for his first heat
win by a shorthead in 29.84 before Ballyana Foxtrot went back to back in
another dominant display when one and a half lengths in advance of Big Bang in
29.75. Also remaining unbeaten was Emers Superstar with his early pace carrying
him to a seven length win over tonight’s finalist Castleivy Crash in a fast
29.58. General Wolf then took the penultimate heat, leaving a very good
impression when stretching to a twelve length verdict over Elevenerife in 29.74
despite not hitting the front until early in the back-straight. The fastest
performance of the night however was reserved for the concluding heat where
Paradise Silva made a fast start from trap 1 and this powerful runner galloped
relentlessly to a ten length verdict over Cloon Glory, again registering a
slick time of 29.52.
Silva and Emer remain unbeaten
Our quarter final heats saw two runners score hat-tricks of
Leger heat wins when firstly Paradise Silva again made a smart start for a
first bend lead in heat 2, recording a six length win over Castleivy Crash in
29.59 with Stone Boy King qualifying behind them and reaching his third big
Limerick semi-final having reached the same stage in 2013 in both the Leger and
Kirby Memorial. This immediately preceded another brilliant display of early
pace by Emers Superstar when he again led throughout heat 3 but not before
being forced to repel the eye-catching and sustained challenge of General Wolf
by just a head in 29.58 as the latter once again impressed with his
back-straight pace, Borna Helena followed these home, a further four and a half
lengths adrift.
Vulturi, a thorough professional
The opening quarter final of the night went to Vulturi who
was now warming nicely to his Leger task and the strong stayer showed clever
track craft for a daring third bend run on the rails when overtaking early
pacesetter Cloon Glory, Burgess Oscar and the struggling track record holder
Droopys Nidge for the gamest of victories in a thrilling heat. Burgess Oscar
followed him home at a three length deficit in 29.82 with the same back to
Cloon Glory in third as she consigned Droopys Nidge to fourth and his Leger
exit to boot.
Michael Dwan with Borna Central
The concluding quarter final was a heat to savour where Michael
Dwan’s Borna Central produced one of the most memorable moments of this years’
event when recovering from significant first bend bumping to scythe through a
high class field from last position off the second bend before mowing down
Hawaii Kinsale on the line in 30.12. This exhilarating success meant we would
have three bitches in the semi-finals but the heat also saw a gutsy display by
Ballyana Foxtrot who failed to lead for the first time in the competition but
managed to negotiate his way into a battling third qualifying place, an effort
that could prove crucial in the final script of this Leger!
Favourites fall victim to Crash in semi shock
So often the semi-finals of major events can prove a
stumbling block for big outright fancies, for classics are rigorous tests of resilience
and the ability to safely negotiate early rounds whilst retaining top form in
readiness to produce your racing best when the chance comes your way can be a
potent weapon. So it proved for Denis O`Malley’s 12/1 shot Castleivy Crash in
last weeks’ opening semi-final when he found his best split of the competition from
trap 4 and tracked early leader Cloon Glory to the opening turn. He showed good
pace to overhaul the lead entering the third bend as 2/5 favourite Vulturi
began to close on the heels of the leading duo but was inconvenienced by a
tiring Cloon Glory at the corner, leaving Castleivy Crash to record an
impressive one and a half length win in 29.78, the best run of the youngster’s
career to date. Three bitches went to traps for this heat and following the
heroics of Locnamon Bridie in 2013, it was only fitting that at least one of
these would advance to attempt to emulate her great feat. It was Borna Central
who claimed the third final place and will have added yet more admirers when
again overcoming a poor draw in trap 6 to recover from fifth place at the
second bend to be only a half a length behind Vulturi at the line.
Foxtrot dances back to best as Silva sneaks through
Ballyana Foxtrot
The second semi-final was an eventful affair where Emers
Superstar just shaded favouritism at 7/4 with his trap 1 draw over fellow
unbeaten runner, Paradise Silva who had a treacherous draw in trap 5. The
former missed his break and his Leger aspirations were tenuous in the opening
strides as both Burgess Oscar and Ballyana Foxtrot made fast starts from traps
4 and 6 respectively. They led at the first bend with James Roche’s local
favourite negotiating the turns much more smoothly for a back-straight lead
that would see him safely advance in 30.03. The story in behind was much more
complicated but Burgess Oscar held his second position entering the
back-straight with Emers Superstar using his early pace to challenge for third
ahead of the menacing General Wolf who was flying on his outer. However, with
Burgess Oscar occupying the rails position at this point, Emers Superstar
switched for a run on his outer and a bump between him and the advancing
General Wolf shuffled both backwards into a veritable dog fight for the third
qualifying place. This duo were still in advance of a closing Hawaii Kinsale
and Paradise Silva entering the closing bends but despite suffering all the
predicted traffic problems from his trap 5 draw the game Pat Buckley charge
crucially found a rails run and denied General Wolf a final berth by a half a
length, in a cracker!
The Finalists
Trap 1 Vulturi The Liam
Dowling trained Vulturi has developed into one of Ireland’s most formidable
competition trackers since blasting onto the open scene over 575 yards at
Shelbourne Park as a pup before recording a blistering 28.25 at Limerick in the
Con & Annie Kirby back in March. Fourth in this years Derby he has
maintained an admirably high level of form over the past months and whatever
beats him tonight will need an absolute clear run for his staying power will
see him flying on the rails off the final bend but for victory, he must keep
very close touch with Paradise Silva on his immediate outside for a
back-straight challenge as that rival will not surrender the inside graciously.
15/8
Trap 2Paradise Silva
Pat Buckley’s Paradise Silva, always capable of blistering times, found a level
of consistency in the early rounds of this event that saw him lead at the
opening bend for a hat-trick of heat wins. He suffered first bend bumping in
his semi-final from a predictably tricky draw but always a strong runner he
gamely stayed well to claim his place in the final and holds big claims of
victory now as he can lead Vulturi in the early strides for a rails run. Having
recorded 29.62 or better on three occasions a likely clear run just about earns
him the winning vote. 15/8
Trap 3Castleivy Crash
Denis O`Malley’s locally trained youngster Castleivy Crash has charted his way
through this event with admirable track craft at the tender age of twenty-six
months and this Puppy Derby heat winner continues to improve with his fastest
semi-final win over Vulturi being the best of his career thus far. He can
conceivably go even faster now but he will need a repeat of his recent fast
start, for his win claims will hinge on leading Paradise Silva to the opening
turn. Ignore him at your peril however and should he lead at any point, brace
yourself for deafening cheers that may well carry him to victory. 9/1
Trap 4Borna Central
Michael Dwan’s wonderfully game bitch, Borna Central had passed two years of
age before recording her first open time and had been campaigned solely at 525
yards before tackling this event without a race or trial at Limerick before her
opening heat in the Leger. Despite poor draws throughout, this inside seed has
negotiated her way to the final when never beaten more than two lengths in any
heat, even when faced with seemingly impossible tasks. Her quarter-final win
when coming from last to first means that she must be respected and should
there be any traffic problems for the early pacers, she will scare any on the
home-straight if within striking distance off the second bend. 14/1
Trap 5Burgess Oscar
Sheila Spillane & J.J Fennelly’s Burgess Oscar is the only finalist without
a heat win in the competition but do not let that detract from the high class
performances he has produced throughout. He has registered 29.65 in a round 2
defeat and should he produce that level of form he will hold claims of victory as
he can both start well and he fully sees out the trip at the highest level. He
matched the early paced Ballyana Foxtrot to the opening bend last week but
surrendered his chance when not galloping the bends smoothly which does temper
confidence now but should he remedy that the youngest finalist at just
twenty-five months old, Oscar, has a chance! 9/1
Trap 6BallyanaFoxtrot Another
locally trained runner that will inspire rapturous cheers, James Roche’s
Ballyana Foxtrot has won three of his four Leger heats and finally gets his
crack at a big classic final after the early pacer bounced back to form in a
quality semi-final win. Usually eliminated when failing to lead in similar
situations, he gamely found a way to qualify from his quarter-final and holds big
claims now as this race has a very similar set up to that which saw him defeat
Burgess Oscar last week. He must lead to win but he can and with 29.65 to his
name, those looking to come from behind will need a clear passage to mow him
down….catch me if you can! 11/4
2014
Kerry Agri-Business Irish St Leger Final……the verdict?!
Attempting to predict the outcome of this mouthwatering
final has proved a difficult problem to decipher and is greatly complicated by
the attractive prices available with some firms about those labeled outsiders.
Despite housing five inside seeds, the trap draw appears to offer a plausible
chance for a clean run race with the sole middle seed Ballyana Foxtrot clearly
comfortable in the stripes.
Outsiders have plausible claims
Trap 5 for Burgess Oscar on his inner may not read as
acceptable being widest of the inside runners but he made his best start of the
competition from trap 4 last week and has a brace of trap 6 wins to his name so
with a slower starter on his inner, this draw may be very suitable as he should
have room to drift inward on the run to the bend. He is the youngest runner in
the field at twenty five months and should he run the opening bends smoother
than he did when upsides Ballyana Foxtrot in the semi-final he may find the
very slight improvement needed to score and a pillar to post victory is not a
forlorn hope at the final’s most attractive odds of 9/1.
The big fly in the ointment tonight is Castleivy Crash
following his brilliant semi-final display which on the face of things would
give him a much greater chance than his 9/1 quote would suggest. At twenty-six
months of age that run can not be readily dismissed as a one off performance,
as further progression is clearly possible given his youth. He however must
lead on the inside because although fending off Vulturi last week, that rival
was closing with menace on the back-straight until slightly crowded at the
third bend. Further complication for his chances is the presence of Paradise
Silva on his immediate inside who will be more comfortable tonight now back
close to the rails.
An inside seed, Borna Central has hardly caught sight of the
white paint throughout the Leger but to her credit runs a straight line,
whatever trap she exits. She will not lead to the first turn tonight but she
continually finds a way to get competitive and will again fly from halfway. For
win claims, one would much prefer to see her drawn on the inside of Vulturi in
particular, as attempting a late swoop against a similar style of runner with a
better draw will prove difficult. She will need help from somewhere to be close
enough for a winning bid at the closing bends but the powerful bitch must be
respected after an admirable Leger campaign.
Silva service can resume now back near the rails
So to the short priced runners, Vulturi and Paradise Silva
have vied for favouritism all week at prices close to 15/8 and at those odds
the clear choice between the pair must be Paradise Silva. He came through a
horror draw last week when gamely recovering from first bend bumping to reach
this final and gets the vote to gain his reward for those exertions with his
much more favourable now. He has two wins from trap 3 and another from trap 1
in the opening heats and again showed smart early pace compared to Burgess
Oscar and Ballyana Foxtrot after a slow start from trap 5 last week. He can
outpace Vulturi to the bend now and the rails pitch offers more ways for him to
win than any else in the final. Even if led to the opening bend, the manner in
which Burgess Oscar moved off the inside at the corner last time could offer an
inviting gap for Silva and he also possesses powerful back-straight pace that
may mow down Ballyana Foxtrot even if that rival produces his best form on the
outer. His win times from the early heats are impossible to ignore and with no
value in tipping bigger priced losers, Silva is the percentage call.
Although both feared and respected in equal measure, it
seems clear that Vulturi will need Paradise Silva to miss a beat at some stage
if he is to claim victory. He has not bettered 29.82 thus far and although trap
1 offers a chance for clear racing room, a similar run for his market rival
makes this a tough proposition and the likely odds are not so attractive. The
11/4 available about Ballyana Foxtrot does seem more on the mark however. His
chance of victory is a simple one, he must lead around the opening bend and try
to hang on which is a plausible prospect. With 29.65 to his credit he merits
plenty of respect with a likely clear run on the outer. Prediction: 2-1-6
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