Better Call Caul: Deadly dozen descend on Easter Cup

Better Call Caul - latest Irish and UK racing news with Barry Caul

Twelve of Ireland's best will battle it out at this Saturday night for a place in the decider of the Bresbet Easter Cup, and if last week's heats were anything to go by, we are in for a real treat.

Derby champion was quickest of the quarter-final winners. She flashed from box five and cut for the rails early to make all in 29:45, Romeo Magico pushed her all the way and looked a big danger as they hit the third turn, but Susie pulled out more up front and held on by three parts of a length from Romeo Magico with the ever-consistent Priceless Jet a further two lengths back in third.

Fast Fit Paddy caused a mild shock in the second quarter when he made all the running in 29:67. Crokers Spirit and Coolavanny Duke were expected to set the pace here, but it was the Declan McDonagh trained Fast Fit Paddy who was fastest into stride from four and moved slightly inwards, leaving the moderate starting pair of Crokers Spirit and Coolavanny Duke slightly short of room. They were always likely to struggle given the number of big finishers in the field, and it was Darbys Delight and Beach Avenue who came through to snatch the remaining qualifying places, albeit some six lengths behind the winner.

Barefoot Supremo was another big price winner on the night. Sent to traps at $11, the Paul Hennessy-trained fawn picked it up as they turned for home to head long time leader One Time Only, who had built up a nice lead at halfway, Sentimental Lad emerged as the main danger to Barefoot Supremo as they approached the line, but he couldn't quite get there, and Barefoot Supremo held on by a length with One Time Only a further length back in third.

We mentioned last week the record Knight Tornado has when leading, and he made it 10/10 when again making all in the final heat in 29:67. He is a dog in real form at the moment and beat the eye-catching Scarty Yank with Bockos Vieira back in third.

Easter Cup Semi Final 1

  1. Fast Fit Paddy ($7.5)
  2. One Time Only ($4.5)
  3. Darbys Delight ($17)
  4. Susie Sapphire ($1.61)
  5. Scarty Yank ($6.5)
  6. Beach Avenue ($11)

Verdict: If Susie Sapphire can trap as well as she did last time, she should race clear to the bend and if posting a winning time like last week she will be almost impossible to peg back. One Time Only has some good early speed on his day and he is likely to give her most to worry about on the run to the corner while last weeks winner Fast Fit Paddy is well drawn in red and could get a nice run around the opening bends. Scarty Yank caught the eye behind Knight Tornado last time and he should have plenty of room to operate with Susie likely to dive for the rails early, while massive finishers Darbys Delight and Beach Avenue will be arriving late and fast.

Selections: 4-5-6

Easter Cup Semi Final 2

  1. Barefoot Supremo ($7)
  2. Romeo Magico ($2.5)
  3. Knight Tornado ($3)
  4. Sentimental Lad ($5)
  5. Bockos Vieira ($7.5)
  6. Priceless Jet ($12)

Verdict: Romeo Magico has been running well for the last number of weeks and has a good chance to get to the front this Saturday night. He is much better when able to dictate and a level start should see him make all. Barefoot Supremo can miss the start on occasions and his main rival will be kennel mate Knight Tornado in box three. Knight Tornado is almost unbeatable off the front, but he will need to fly the lids if he is to get the better of Romeo Magico on the run to the corner. The draw could suit Sentimental Lad while Priceless Jet is always worth a mention out in six.

Selections: 2-4-6


Greyhound & Petworld Juvenile Classic Semi Finals at Tralee

The at Tralee reaches the semi final stage this night and we have two quality semis to look forward too. The first of the two is due of at 21:31 (UK time) where Droopys Edison can make the most of his inside draw. Mustang Jet is the only one in the field who won his heat last time and is well drawn as the only wide seed. The second semi (22:01) is a real cracker. Fastest first round winner Wi Can Dream was beaten behind Coolavanny Hoffa last week, they lock horns again in this heat. Da Bold Freddie in box one is the only unbeaten runner left in the puppy competition, he should lead up Ballymac Kurtis in two. Mullingarshuffle was the fastest of the second-round winners, he is once again drawn in box five. There are without doubt some starts of the future lining up at the southern track this Friday, it is certainly an event to have the notebook handy for!


Ballymac Wild retired

One of Irelands bravest and most consistent dogs of the last few years has been retired to stud. ran his last race at Shelbourne Park last Saturday night for Liam Dowling. During a glittering career he won twenty-two races and amassed well over Au$80,000 in prize money. He began his career by winning the Juvenile Classic at Tralee. He went onto reach two derby finals, the Irish derby in 2020 and the 2021. Other finals would await, such as the , Kingdom Derby and Champion Stakes, where he was runner up behind the excellent Pestana. He went on to win what many would describe as one of the best races ever witnessed at Shelbourne Park when landing the in 2021. If he is half as successful at stud as he was on the track, we are sure to see plenty of wild aces in the coming years.


Speedsters take to Romford for Golden Sprint

The Coral sponsored kicks off at the London venue this weekend with six heats run over the 400m trip. It is no surprise to see recent Towcester winner Crossfield Dusty top the ante-post market. Before winning that event, he had already secured the Scurry Gold Cup at Perry Barr as well as the National Sprint at Nottingham. Next in is Havana Class, runner-up behind Crossfield Dusty in the Towcester event. He has won the Laurels at Perry Barry and holds the T.R. for the sprint trip at Towcester. Although it is named the Golden Sprint, the event is run over four bends so it may not be tailor made for an out and out sprinter. Corrin Logan and track regular Zari Rose are two runners who have good form over the trip this year and may represent some value in the ante-post markets.


This weekend's best bets

Shelbourne Park Saturday

  • Romeo Magico – three units win (21:57 GMT)
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