Coolio Runs Riot At The Cross

Coolio set the standard in the second round of the Dublin Coach Juvenile Derby at Harold’s Cross on Friday evening with a fantastic 28.36 run.

Harold’s Cross
Not known as an early pace runner Coolio found himself in front on the run to the corner recording a fast (3.09) sectional, once this happened it was race over. I have no doubt he is one of the strongest runners remaining in the competition and has the makings of a real prospect over 550 yards plus, all going well next season.

The runner-up here, Viber, ran the race of his life in second place keeping in with the winner down the back, it was only from the last bend home that Coolio really stretched on.

Droopys Smasher upset her kennel mate and ante-post favourite Droopys Wilbury in heat two. Smasher got a smash break from Trap One and led up to the corner from Wilbury in second.

This lady has six bends written all over her in my opinion.

Try as he may, Wilbury did his best to keep tabs on the leader down the far side but to no avail. Smasher switched into overdrive around the bottom two bends and flew up the home straight to open up a five length gap and stop the clock in 28.39.

It was actually a 1-2-3 in the heat for trainer Pat Buckley as Lenson Rambo chased them home in third. Droopys Wilbury is the one I would take out of the race as it was only the third race of his career so far and he would have learned a lot in defeat.

Guy Very Impressive
Impressive Guy took the opening heat in 28.96. A fast start from an unfavourable draw in five meant that he could dictate the pace around bends one and two. Stretching the field down the far side he was able to open up a three length lead over his rivals.

The pack did begin to close however off the last corner but Guy kept enough in reserve to hold on to win by a length from the fast finishing Ballybough Dad in second. Nothing To Hide made it two from two in Harolds Cross for trainer John McGee and the Full-House Syndicate in Heat Four.

Already a finalist in the National Sprint this year he put this race to bed early after a lightning fast start from trap six. Keeping up a strong gallop he remained well in command turning for home. Mustang Kasco did his best to back run him but remained a length behind him as he crossed the line in 28.77.

Pat Norris had another successful trip from his Mitchelstown base on Friday night as his Bull Run Bolt again turned on the style from the third bend to overtake the early leader Drive On Razor before going on to score by three lengths in 28.70. Droopys Jock put in a fast away always led performance in Heat Six making every yard of the running in 28.87 in a four dog heat.

Charder Girl left it extremely late to get up in the penultimate heat. Sidarian Dino looked a winner turning for home as he has winning 575 form on his card. Charder Girl kept digging and digging up the home straight however and got the verdict by half a length in 29.16. Lord Brandy came from the clouds to claim the final heat of the night after most of the field bunched up the home straight. He got up by the narrowest of margins in 29.03.

Harold’s Cross reminds me so much of Wimbledon. Up until a few years ago you would always have said that early pace is a must at both tracks but in recent years all the winners have come from off the pace. The likes of Droopys Smasher, Bull Run Bolt and Coolio will nine times out of ten be behind off the second bend. But their finishing speed puts them right bang in the mix. Droopys Wilbury remains our ante-post favourite and the biggest loser in the book. The four quarter finals take place this Friday night.

Hooley In Mulvaney 600
Ballyhooley Henry got himself back to winning ways last Saturday night with an emphatic win in the opening round of the Mulvaney 600. It’s hard to believe that his last win was back in April which was in the final of the Gain 600. In fairness he has been running against the cream of the country over a distance that doesn’t really suit him.

Taking a flyer from Trap Two, he led up in his heat and made every post a winning one. After the way he finished behind BoyleSports Duke over course and distance on Derby final night, you knew he was going to do a huge run once hitting the front early. Galloping on stong to the line, he stopped the clock in an ultra-fast 32.12. Newlawn Simon ran a blinder in second place here only going down by two and a half lengths.

Farloe Joey was the next best on the clock (32.19). At one stage during this year’s Derby, Joey was vying for favouritism with Laughil Duke. His first attempt over 600 ended in tears but he made no mistake last week. Once hitting the front early we were able to see how he would see out the trip.

This 600 yard trip can catch a lot of dogs out, you would think once you stay on over 550 that you would easily get 600. The three long straights take a lot of getting and have often caught out the best of them over the years. Joey however showed no signs of fatigue, he seemed to see out the trip strong coming home four and a half lengths ahead of the strong running Vivaro Swift in second and BoyleSports Duke in third.

McKenna Double
Owen McKenna enjoyed a double in the heats as Water Fern took the final heat on the night. This son of Zero Ten has been breaking dogs’ hearts lately over 575 and 600 yards by opening up big advantages on the run to the bend. He is going three and four lengths clear early and freewheeling down the far side. I wouldn’t have him down as the strongest stayer in the world but he’s opening up so much of a gap that he’s able to coast home. 32.40 was the winning time here.

Collage Paradise got his first win for his new connections in heat three. After a good campaign through the Derby which saw him finish third in the consolation final the step up in trip was always going to suit him. The long run to the corner really suits this Liam Dowling trained runner so he was able to lead on the inside.

He appeared to ease up around the bends which allowed Martinstown Hawk to take the lead off the second bend. Collage went back about two lengths behind the leader in second but absolutely roared into the third corner to take up the lead again.

Easing up again between the last two he let Hawk kick on in front again up the home straight. Once Collage straightened himself up again he went up another gear to reclaim the lead for a third time as they raced for the line, 32.74 was the time here. I have no doubt he left near half a second on the bends! The opening heat went the way of Karlow Billy as he upset the odds-on jolly Hovex Blaze leading all in 32.53.

The draw next week has worked out well for the two market leaders Ballyhooley Henry and Farloe Joey. Both of them have favourable trap draws and should safely make it through to the final. There are three semi-finals next week so only the first two qualify.

Newlawn Simon looks the value bet of the night in the second semi-final.

We’re Back In Business
The coursing season kicks off this weekend at both Kilflynn and Liscannor. Tradaree are actually running their meeting in conjunction with Kilflynn so we wish both clubs best of luck with their joint effort.

Octane Wonder and Killeagh Sunny look the two for me in The Stephen Fuller Cup while Downton Minnie looks the one to beat in the Bitch All Age. Gap Of Dunloe performed miracles to get to the final of the trial stake in Dundalk last year in terrible conditions. He can surprise a few in the McDonagh Cup at Liscannor!

Betting on all the above events are available online at www.Boylesports.com or in any of our shops nationwide. #BetOnBoyle