Big Mike star attraction in Easter Cup
Minister for State Shane McEntee had stated on Sunday that the appointment would be made yesterday but the sad death of his father obviously caused a change of schedule.
On the racing front this week we have the finals of the Gallivan Murphy Hooper Dolan Juvenile Classic at Tralee tomorrow and then the finals of the Roches Feeds Oaks at Limerick and the Kudos Supersprint at Curraheen on Saturday.
Also on Saturday will be the semi-finals of the Gain Feeds Cesarewitch at Mullingar and the star-studded first round of the College Causeway/ Killahan Phanter Easter Cup at Shelbourne.
This promises to be an exceptional Easter Cup with a high class 48 entry that includes many of the favourites not alone for the Irish Derby but for the English equivalent also.
Tyrur Big Mike will be the major attraction and he goes into action as early as the first heat where Razldazl George, Nicken Shaw and Air Force Ellie will keep him on his toes.
Mossie O’Connor’s National Puppy Stake winner Deerfield Music did a 28.62 spin around Tralee recently and should be well tuned for his outing in the second heat while English Derby joint favourite Razldazl Jayfkay will need to get on the winning trail in the fourth heat where fast starting Quick Lee is among the rivals. John Linehan’s Broadstrand Lad will meet reigning champion Thurlesbeg Jack in the fifth heat. Larry Dunne’s Slippery Bob is bidding to add to his winnings from the Tote Gold Cup and he swings into action in Heat 7.
There should be a massive crowd for the much anticipated Gallivan Murphy Hooper Dolan Juvenile Classic final at Tralee tomorrow where there is a high class supporting card with 10 finals and an open sprint. But the big final, which carries a winner’s prize of €15,000, will be the main attraction and the John Linehan trained Droopys Twirl will go off a very strong favourite.
Indeed, track bookmaker Patsy Browne makes the unbeaten Droopys Twirl the red hot 4-6 favourite to lift the prize.
The dangers to the favourite would have to be Meadow Bank Owl and Happy Hermit. There could be a terrific early battle between Droopys and Happy Hermit but the former got the better of their previous clash and can repeat the act here.
Many of those who turn up at Tralee tomorrow will also make it to Limerick on Saturday for the Roches Feeds Oaks final. This has been a very successful first staging of this competition and I was present last Saturday to enjoy two competitive semi-finals.
This final can essentially be broken into the fast starters and the stayers. The early pacers are Tyrur Tinkerbell, Cornamaddy Swift and Local Flyer while the stayers would be Express Trend, Inshaarla and Borna Del.
I am almost swung towards Express Trend due to her inside draw which almost guarantees Mary Jo Dalton’s bitch a clear run at the leaders. But the strength of Tyrur Tinkerbell and Cornamaddy Swift makes me fancy their prospects. Both can fly up with Cornamaddy the more likely leader but the way Tyrur collared her last week would suggest that she can credit young Grace Hennessy with the prize.
I have never been a great advocate of sprint racing but a really top class two-bender can be a real thrill and it must be admitted that the Kudos Supersprint has produced terrific racing to date. The scene is set for a fantastic final featuring most of the top sprinters in training. Unfortunately Busters Choice didn’t make it through and the word is not good about the dog as he has a serious gracilis muscle injury and his racing career is in some doubt.
In the final you must consider all six but the big three would appear to be the Sprinter of the Year Sheepwalk Mac, reigning champion Yes Boss and the flying young bitch Calling Spice. There was only half a length between the last named pair last week in the semi in a flying 17.49 while Sheepwalk is a classic winner and that is hard to overlook. Perhaps he might get the best of this quite absorbing contest.
Defending champion Definate Opinion has a perfect inside trap in the first semi-final of the Gain Feeds Cesarewitch at Mullingar. He was hugely impressive last week and is a strong fancy to lead home Music For Fun.
