Better Call Caul: Susie Sapphire sparkles at Shelbourne
Susie Sapphire was sensational once again at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night when making all in 29:57 for the 503m trip and taking her recent record to eight wins from her last nine starts over the distance. Breaking fastest from box four, the current Derby champion shot clear on the run to the turn and went on to score by three lengths from big finishers Beach Avenue and Darbys Delight. In the second semi Knight Tornado made just about all to see off his kennel companion Romeo Magico by a head in 29:70 with Priceless Jet only a length back in third. The final will be broadcast live on RPGTV this Saturday night and the trap draw is as follows:
- Susie Sapphire (-250)
- Knight Tornado (+600)
- Romeo Magico (+350)
- Darbys Delight (+1600)
- Priceless Jet (+1600)
- Beach Avenue (+1100)
All odds courtesy of
Easter Cup verdict
To say Susie Sapphire has a perfect draw in red is an understatement. Eight times she has raced from the inside box, and eight times she has made all. It is extremely hard to see anything lead her up and if turning in front you would expect her to clock in and around 29:45. It's almost impossible to come from behind in that time, although five others will try.
Susie's main market rival is Romeo Magico. He's yet to win in the competition but has put up some big efforts in defeat, including when only three parts of a length behind Susie Sapphire two weeks ago when he challenged her into the third turn. He again ran well last week when only just failing to claw back Knight Tornado and he has a chance if he can rediscover one of his better starts, although he is yet to score from box two in four starts around Shelbourne.
Knight Tornado is the only unbeaten dog in the competition having won all three rounds and goes into the final in the form of his life. He only has a couple of lengths to find on the race favourite and his early splits have been consistent during the early rounds. He can boast sectionals of 3:47 3:45 and 3:46; compare these to the 3:51 3:34 and 3:47 of Susie Sapphire and he is in with a lively chance.
That brings us onto the big finishers. Darbys Delight and Beach Avenue have looked like exiting the competition on more the one occasion, yet their massive finishes have ensured they keep qualifying against all odds. They will be double figures to take the prize this Saturday night, but if there is any trouble up front, they will be flying late.
The final runner is Priceless Jet. He has gone up quite well in his last few starts, and he should comfortably lead Darbys Delight and Beach Avenue to the first turn. If there is to be any trouble on the inside, he looks sure to get first crack at the leaders and he's certainly not without a chance. I would not put anyone off having a few quid on each way at $17.
Selections: 1-5-6
Juvenile Classic Final at Tralee
The final of the Juvenile Classic takes place at the Kerry track this Friday night where some of Ireland's fastest puppies will be on show. Droopys Edison was fastest of the semi-final winners when leading around the opening turns to go on and score by two lengths from Glengar Scholar with Lenson On Ice a further three lengths back in third.
The second semi-final was won by Coolavanny Hoffa, who beat Wi Can Dream with Ballymac Kurtis back in third. Wi Can Dream has the fastest run in the competition to date when winning in 28:13 on debut over the 480m trip, and I think the draw could work in his favour. With a similar start to last week he should lead up the inside runners and could prove hard to peg back. Coolavanny Hoffa will be popular in the market and has been impressive in his last two starts, but I will side with Wi Can Dream to make all. The supporting card at Tralee is strong, as you would imagine with it being televised live on RPGTV.
Race seven on the card is an English Derby trial stake where Good Cody will take on last week's Easter Cup semi-finalist Scarty Yank. Throw in Ballymac Merlin Seomra Nate and Loher Ron and it's one hot contest. Australian-owned Explosive Boy makes his return to action in the sixth race on the card, where Ballymac Belvult and Bobsleigh Dream will give him most to worry about. It is a top-class card and well worth tuning into RPGTV on Friday evening.
Golden Sprint at Romford
The Golden Sprint continues this Friday evening, when three semi-finals will take place with the top two from each heat progressing into the final the following week. Crossfield Dusty remains favorite with the sponsors for outright glory at $3.75 following an impressive all-the-way win in 23:93. Droopys Flight was the fastest first-round winner when making all in 23:86 and he is still available at $15. Zari Rose has won five of her last six over the trip and is well drawn in red in the first semi-final.
Puppy Derby at Monmore
The Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby got underway at Momore on Saturday night, and we were treated to some sizzling runs. Freedom Alibi was a facile winner of the first heat when leading all the way in 28:25 for the 480m trip and is now co-favourite in the ante-post market alongside Blackhhouse Harry and Deelish Frankie. Deelish Frankie was another who made all in 28:35, while Blackhouse Harry stopped the clock in 28:47 overcoming a little trouble in running to beat Clairkeith Remy by over two lengths.
This weekend's best bets
Friday Tralee
Wi Can Dream – one unit win
Saturday Shelbourne Park – Easter Cup Final
Priceless Jet @ $17 – one unit each way