Jet set to make rapid return
Graham Holland has decided to run the new national record holder in this prestigious three-run event despite the fact that he hasn’t previously had a run around the circuit.
However if Breda and Mary Delaney’s dog can get away to one of his normal flying starts then he is going to take a lot of beating.
He has been drawn in the last of the three heats and it really is one of those heats from hell. In his favour is an inside draw but he has the likes of Tullymurry Act, De Ex Factor and Thurlesbeg Joker to cope with in what is a mouth-watering contest.
The other two heats are no easier and I honestly feel this is the best Masters field we have had. The opener is potentially even tougher with all six being top trackers and the run to the bend could be explosive with the likes of Sevenheads Bay, Colorful Champ, Mesedo Blue and Fatboyz Nodrog in opposition.
Fatboyz Tyson looks the one to beat in the second heat where he has Johnny Whitesox and Razldazl Lord among his rivals.
Draw for the first round to be run on Saturday:
Heat 1: 1 Fatboyz Nodrog; 2 Colorful Champ; 3 Beaming Dilemma; 4 Sevenheads Bay; 5 Whatsupjack; 6 Mesedo Blue (m).
Heat 2: 1 Dalcash Stateman; 2 Razldazl Lord; 3 Coco Dash (m); 4 Hats My Boy (m); 5 Jonny Whitesox (w); 6 Fatboyz Tyson (w).
Heat 3: 1 Leeview Jet; 2 Tullymurry Act; 3 De Ex Factor; 4 Kanasef; 5 Tyford Comet (m); 6 Thurlesbeg Joker (w).
The famed Dunphy kennels in Portlaw were back in the news at Wimbledon on Tuesday night when Droopys Bradley produced a staggering performance in winning the William Hill St Leger. A son of Droopys Kewell and Droopys Mo began his life in Portlaw and won his first two races in Shelbourne for Dan Butler.
In Tuesday’s final he smashed the track record for the 687 metres by no less than 41 spots when clocking 41.48 but it was the way he outclassed his rivals that set him apart. He looks the new superstar of the British racing scene.
Biggest prize on offer on the Irish tracks this weekend is the €6,500 for the winner of the Vetsearch Recharge Irish Grand National final at Harold’s Cross this evening. On semi-final running the Fraser Black trained Slick Saxon is the one to beat but he is drawn a bit far out in five and it is questionable whether he can get a clear run early. Best drawn are the UK raider Junior Mac and James Robinson’s Bockos Bullet and the vote goes to the latter. There is a superb card at Youghal tomorrow with no fewer than three finals.
The big one is, of course, the Red Mills Southern Sprint and the favourite will be the Jim Morrissey trained Carlows Pride. One of our leading sprinters for the past two seasons, he is currently in the form of his life and will benefit from the fact that his most serious rival Burn Em Up is drawn on his outside.
Damian and Noel Fleming from Ballyduff Upper have two very strong contenders for the Rising Fire Open Unraced final. Rising Hawk, which was hugely impressive in the opening round 28.72 win, can prove too strong for his kennel companion Rising Flyer which was a 29.12 debut winner. Owen McKenna, who dominated the early runnings of this stake, has Another Jemmi in the line-up and this fellow can show improved form.
The Friends of Youghal A2 final has two unbeaten contenders in Rushing Galvin and Whitty Guinness and the latter may have the edge.
Also tonight the semi-finals of the JP Moran & Trevor O’Donnell Oaks will be run at Newbridge and there are two cracking races in prospect. Fridays Aries is best drawn in a red hot second heat where the brilliant Air Force Ellie has a potentially dangerous slot in the four box.
The raw puppy Tyrur Fergie was most impressive last week and runs like a bitch with four times her racing experience. She will take all the beating in the first heat where Tenters Bell and Shelbourne Dawn could be the main rivals.
The stayers will dominate the proceedings at Shelbourne on Saturday where the final of the Mannion Builders Supplies National 750 brings together most of our best six bend racers. Sean Meaney’s Cooladerry Fizz is clearly the one to beat and this smashing bitch must be the choice. However, she must lead early as her biggest rivals Seven Heads Lady and Crash Bandit are drawn on her inside.
Banker bet of the weekend could be Liam O’Rourke’s Ballymac Tipp in the final of the Dobbins Open 525. This fellow is running out of his skin and has scorched home in 28.28 and 28.39 in his last two runs at Shelbourne while he previously set a new 28.31 run around Dundalk.
Curraheen Park regulars are not being overlooked either this weekend and they have the heats of the Oliver Hawkes Memorial to savour.
Each year the Track Supporters Munster Puppy Cup throws up a number of future stars and Farloe Force has really taken this year’s event by storm. Owen McKenna’s charge has won his two rounds in 28.45 and 28.33 and clearly is a young sensation. The son of Westmead Joe and Farloe Edge has produced two brilliant splits and must be a strong fancy to do another big run in Sunday’s semi-finals. The other heat could go to David Jordan’s Archaton Linda, a really good early paced bitch with the ability to lead all the way here.
