Better Call Caul: Droopys proves he’s Got It in Juvenile semi

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

Droopys Got It turned in a powerful display from an unfavorable draw to emerge a convincing winner of the first semifinal of the at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

Sent to traps as the $2.50 joint favourite along with Another Holiday, the duo dominated from the outset.

It was Another Holiday who was first to show and he held a clear lead entering the back straight with Droopys Got It two lengths down and now switching to the inside of the leader, showing stunning pace down the far side.

Droopys Got It hit the front before the third bend and went on to beat Another Holiday by two lengths in a fast 28:24. Three Canons ran on strongly to take third a further half-length behind Another Holiday.

led for much of the journey to win the second heat. The even-money favorite was moderately away from two but displayed fine pace to take up the running before the opening turn.

Bogger Hunter gave chase down the far side and briefly hit the front on the outside of Trinity Junior around the final two bends.

Junior was not for passing, however, and quickly reestablished his lead, crossing the line with a length to spare over the pacey Bogger Hunter with Clona Duke snatching the final qualifying spot in 28:33.

The final will be run at Shelbourne Park this Saturday night and broadcast live on Racing Post Greyhound TV. Let's look at the runners.


Irish Juvenile Derby at Shelbourne Park

  1. Bogger Hunter
  2. Droopys Got It
  3. Three Cannons
  4. Clona Duke
  5. Trinity Junior
  6. Another Holiday

Droopys Got It will start as favourite, currently $2.37 with . His performance last week was quick on a track that was running slightly slower than normal; it was visually impressive too and he beat some of Ireland's best youngsters in the process. It's hard to look beyond him with a repeat performance and he looks to have a decent draw in box two. He is expected to lead up Bogger Hunter and Three Cannons, and if that is the case, he will be impossible to contain.

Another Holiday has a tricky draw out in six and looks well held by Droopys Got It on last week's running. Trinity Junior may give the favourite most to think about; he won well last week and is a possible leader if coming away in his best fashion.

Bogger Hunter is incredibly fast from bends two to three but lacks a yard of early pace. Three Cannons and Clona Duke will be running on late but cannot afford to get too far behind.

I will side with Droopys Got It to take it with Trinity Junior expected to run a big race.

Selection: Droopys Got It


Yvonne Barry Open 600 at Shelbourne Park

The semifinals of the Yvonne Barry Open 600 also featured on the Shelbourne Park card on Saturday night. The final of this event will also feature on this Saturday's live RPGTV card.

The first semifinal was won by Derby third-placegetter Crafty Kokoro, who came with her usual flying finish to beat the strong-staying Jacktavern Bella with early pacesetter Bockos Palace back in third place in 32:42.

The second semi was won by , who also came from well off the pace to pick up Bockos Crystal with Storys Peewee running on to take third.

Four bitches will line up in this week's final with the two remaining dogs in the competition likely to go off as outsiders. Let's look at the final lineup:

  1. Crafty Kokoro
  2. Bobsleigh Dream
  3. Bockos Crystal
  4. Jacktavern Bella
  5. Bockos Palace
  6. Storys Peewee

Crafty Kokoro has been installed odds-on to take this and she is hard to oppose from a perfect draw. She has had a long enough season so far, winning the Corn Cuchulainn and then making the final of this year's Derby – where she ran a blinder to finish third.

The key to the race is if she can hold Bobsleigh Dream to the turn. If she can manage that, she is well capable of running down likely pacesetters Bockos Crystal and Bockos Palace. The Bockos pair have the best early pace in the lineup and should race one-two into the back straight, and any trouble in behind will only aid their cause.

At $1.71 it's hard to be strong on Kokoro. She is the most likely winner, but at $13 Bockos Palace has an each-way chance. A small chance is taken that he can lead and benefit from any trouble in behind.

Selection: Bockos Palace


Irish Laurels at Cork

Round two of the Irish Greyhound Laurels was the main attraction at in Cork on Saturday night.

The event never disappoints, and we were treated to another thrilling night's action – including a when Droopys Edison won in 27:83 for the 480m trip.

Garryvoe Joe kicked off proceedings when beating Ballymac Whispa and defending champion One Time Only in 27:99 in the first heat. Other heat winners on the night were Russur Pat (28:28), Wi Can Dream (28:31), Laughill Roy (28:37), and Broadstrand (28:26). Irish Consolation Derby winner Cryptopunk won his heat in 28:19.

Swords Rex took heat five on the night in 27:99. This looked a fascinating contest on paper with the likes of Serene Ace, Good Cody and Bockos Budsit in opposition. Serene Ace set the pace ahead of Swords Rex, who picked it up around the bottom bends before going away to win by three lengths with Good Cody back in third.

The quarterfinals are due to be run this Saturday night. We will the semifinals in more detail in next week's piece.


Champion Stakes at Romford

will host two major finals live on RPGTV this evening, when the finals of the Champions Stakes and the Standard Trophy will be up for decision. Let's start with the Champion Stakes, due off at 20:54.

Warzone Tom was back to his absolute best last weekend when leading early and running out a facile winner. He was the quickest of the three semifinal winners and will go mighty close to victory with a repeat effort this Saturday. Fast away and making all last week Tom broke the track record for the trip and will surely take all the stopping if leading early.

Droopys Garden in one looks well housed. She chased home Warzone Tom last weekend and races from box one for the first time in the competition. She won her last start over this trip from one and has a good record from the box. Antigua Bigun and Aero Squeak both won well last week but look held on the clock by Warzone Tom.

I fancy Tom to make all in the final and expect Droopys Garden to follow him home.

Selection: Warzone Tom


Coral Standard Trophy at Romford

Earlier on the Romford card, the final of the will take place. This sharp four-bend event run over 400m will be won or lost on the break.

Droopys Good was a fine winner last week but faces a tricky draw for a railer out in box four. He really will need to take a flier to clear the inside trio.

Despite advancing well beyond his fourth birthday, Carter Bar is running as well as ever and is not without a chance. Antigua Socks may well have the best of the draw on the rail and will look to make all.

However, at a big price, I would not put anyone off Ayle Blake in six. He has displayed big pace in his last two outings despite not having much luck, and the draw could well work in his favor. At $8 with online bookmakers, he is well worth taking a chance on.

Selection: Ayle Blake


Weekend's best bets

Shelbourne Park, Saturday

Greyhound

Droopys Got It

Bet Type

Win

Stake

1 unit

*Odds correct at time of publication

Romford, Friday

Greyhound

Ayle Blake

Bet Type

Win

Stake

1 unit

*Odds correct at time of publication

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