Better Call Caul: Double Dutch delight at Shelbourne Park
Leading Irish trainer Graham Holland had a night to remember at Shelbourne Park on Saturday, when he was responsible for the winners of the Juvenile Derby and the final of the Yvonne Barry Open 600. In doing so, he sent the bookmakers home happy.
Duke delivers in Juvenile Derby decider
Despite being sent to traps as the complete outsider, Clona Duke ran out a deserving and impressive winner of this year's Juvenile Derby.
Droopys Got It was sent off as $2.10 favourite but was in immediate trouble after an unusually slow start. In contrast, it was Bogger Hunter and Three Cannons who started best, but the pair were soon passed on the run up by Clona Duke with Another Holiday moving up well on his outside.
The complexion of the race changed at this point with Bogger Hunter moving off from one and ending the chances of Another Holiday and Three Cannons, which allowed Droopys Got It to slip into second down the back straight – albeit still some four lengths behind Clona Duke.
It was evident at this stage that the strong running Clona Duke was not for catching and he crossed the line with five lengths in hand on Droopys Got it with Three Cannons running on again back in third.
Owner Kevin O'Brien has enjoyed big-race success in the past with Graham Holland and they look to have another bright prospect in the shape of Clona Duke.
Sparkling performance from Bockos Crystal
Bockos Crystal initiated Graham Holland's feature double earlier on the card when she made most to emerge an impressive winner of the Yvonne Barry Open 600.
Irish Derby third-placegetter Crafty Kokoro was a red-hot favourite to take out the event, but her chance was hampered early when she bumped with Bobsleigh Dream in the early yards. In contrast, Bockos Crystal was well away from three and led around from her kennel companion Bockos Palace.
There was further trouble in behind and at halfway the race was as good as settled. Staying on powerfully to the line, the classy Bockos Crystal stopped the clock in an impressive 32:07 with Storys Peewee running on well to steal second from Bockos Palace with the unlucky Crafty Kokoro back in forth.
It was another big win for the team of Holland and owner Bev Lochead, with Graham responsible for four winners on the evening.
Irish Laurels semifinals at Curraheen Park
The Irish Laurels at Cork is now at the semifinal stage, and it's safe to say it is developing into one of the best competitions of the year.
Droopys Edison, who broke the track record in round two, was once again on top of his game when winning his quarterfinal last weekend in 28:11.
Swords Rex once again overcame what looked a tricky heat to score comfortably in 28:20, while the ever-consistent Good Cody (28:34) and Galloping Sydney (28:23) took the remaining heats.
The two semifinals are due to be run this Saturday night, with the final live on RPGTV on Saturday week. Let us look at the lineups for the semis.
Semifinal 1
- Ballymac Whispa
- Kilcolgan Comet
- Droopys Edison
- Cryptopunk
- Serene Ace
- Cashen Miska
Droopys Edison has been one of the stars of this year's event and has been drawn in the slightly easier of the two semifinals. Irish Consolation Derby winner Cryptopunk and the excellent Serene Ace look to be his main danger, but Edison has a good draw in three and should qualify. Serene Ace is expected to take them along early with his stunning early speed, but he will need to build up a considerable advantage by halfway if he is to prevail. If Droopys Edison can turn within striking distance, he should prove too strong with Cryptopunk sure to be on the premises. Ballymac Whispa is well drawn and will be finishing fastest of all.
Selection: Droopys Edison
Semifinal 2
- Priceless King
- Good Cody
- One Time Only
- Swords Rex
- Galloping Sydney
- Jaytee Wexford
This looks the tougher of the two semis. The 2021 Sprinter of the Year, Good Cody, has a good draw to operate from on the inside of defending champion One Time Only and Swords Rex. Swords Rex has been unlucky with the draw throughout the event, but his class has really shone through and he is running at the top of his game. Galloping Sydney is another in top form and was a fine winner last week, but box five is far from ideal. Not for the first time in recent years we see the latter stages of a major competition littered with inside seeds; six of them line up in this, and it goes without saying the break is crucial. Swords Rex is unbeatable on his day, and if he can trap like he has been lately, he will take plenty of beating. The experienced Good Cody is sure to race prominently, and those two dogs may be the duo to focus on. For me, Swords Rex could just shade it with one of his better breaks.
Selection: Swords Rex
Scurry Gold Cup at Perry Barr
Gougane Jet has been outstanding thus far in the Scurry Gold Cup over 275m.
A very warm favourite for the event when betting first came out, he remains unbeaten in the competition and has now won his last eight starts. He is unbeaten over two bends in his career and looks impossible to oppose.
The dangers look to be on his inside with Ballymac Slapup in one and Newyork Sydney both very capable on their day. Newyork Sydney was slow away last week but came through to score; he has pace in abundance but will need to sharpen up his trapping.
I will side with Gougane Jet to break fast and make all.
The Oaks at Perry Barr
The Oaks is next up in Birmingham, and Slick Sakina and Fabulous Azurra remain unbeaten in this year's competition.
Slick Sakina has been electric at boxes in recent weeks, and if she can repeat any of her last three performances, she will lead and prove difficult to peg back. Her last three runs have been remarkably consistent, clocking 28:07 twice either side of a 28:08 victory.
Fabulous Azurra is similar on the clock but has not got the early zip of Sakina, and this could be key. Distant Emma is likely to finish strongly, but the early pacers could be gone beyond recall.
All the action is available on RPGTV on Thursday evening.
Weekend's best bets
Perry Barr, Thursday (21:11)
Greyhound
Slick Salina
Bet Type
Win
Stake
1 unit
*Odds correct at time of publication