Mason To Bring It Home For Ireland

Trap draws can be vital in these major finals. The way it has worked out in the final of the Scottish Derby means you would have to give Coolavanny Mason a serious chance.

He can capitalise on his perfect draw on the fence. On Irish shores he is two from three when wearing the red jacket. After winning his opening round heat coming from well off the pace, Mason looked to improve dramatically in last week’s semi-final chasing home the record breaking Droopys Buick in 28.55.

Last week Buick was drawn in two and Mason was in three. In the final however Buick is in five which could make things very difficult for him. Buick is without doubt the fastest runner in the final and loves Shawfield. His record around there speaks for itself. He has done the clock there three times 28.63 (in last year’s Derby), 28.60 and then 28.55 last week.

The draw however makes him very beatable in the final. If he was drawn in one, two or three he would be an odds on chance.

Good News all round
Ireland have a second representative in the final in the shape of the Pat Guilfoyle-trained Good News. This son of Definite Opinion and Pippy finished second in both his heats so far but has shown plenty of ability. The draw has worked out well for him in four. He started off his career as a wide seed so won’t be out of place in the middle of the track.

News wouldn’t be lacking early pace so Buick will have to be on his toes at the traps to get across him. If he doesn’t flash out he could be on the back foot early.

Charlie Lister must have had a smile on his face when the trap draw was made. His Dorotas Woo Hoo was always going to get his draw in the stripes being the only seeded runner in the final. He is guaranteed a clear run on the outside and has the pace to win the final.

In the opening round he was only beaten by a half-length by Droopys Buick in a track record run and then showed serious gears to pick up Good News in the semis last week. He is a member of the very talented Ballymac Vic-Droopys Daneel May 15 litter. The two outsiders of the field are Knockard Spring in two trained by Kevin Boon and Azzurri Genesis in three.

Boon already pulled off a huge shock in the Juvenile in Central Park with Murrys Act can lightning strike twice? Then we have the Pat Rosney trained Azzurri Genesis in three. Already a winner of the Puppy Derby in Henlow last December, he faces a stiff test this weekend.

Glory in Glasgow for Mason
Without doubt the best two drawn dogs are Mason in one and Dorotas in six.

We are going to go with a biased vote for Coolavanny Mason.

His trainer Pat Buckley has one Scottish Derby in the trophy cabinet after Cabra Cool did the business back in 2009 from trap one.

He also rattled the crossbar back in 2014 when Mind The Net was just chinned on the line by Holdem Spy. Let’s hope history can repeat itself on Saturday night! Best of luck to both of the Irish parties heading over to Glasgow on Saturday night!

Barney’s dog sets the pace
Dog Mac Arthure made the trip from Newry worthwhile for Barney Mooney as he posted the fastest time in the second round of the Produce Stakes at Clonmel on Sunday night. He finally lost his maiden tag at the fourth attempt doing it in fine style leading from start to finish in a fast 28.51. This will do his confidence a world of good so the only way is up.

Next best on the clock was the ante-post favourite Clonbrien Hero trained by Graham Holland. Hero made it three wins from four starts around Clonmel as he led all in 28.54. Early looks to be this lad’s strong point, he gives Holland a great chance to win the Produce Stakes for the second year in a row.

Drive On Razor kept up his winning sequence for Kieran Ryan and John Linehan in heat two showing his lightening early pace yet again stopping the clock In 28.59. Razor is a dog going through a purple patch at the moment winning eight of his last eleven races!

Crossfield Kate
Crossfield Kate ran the race of her career so far in heat three as she made bits of her opposition in 28.59 coming home over seven lengths clear of the field. This was the fifth win of her career.

Martin White is enjoying his trip to these shores as Vahsel Bay made it two from two in Clonmel coming from behind to score in 28.56. White also saw his second runner Mrs Chippy safely make her way into the quarter final after finishing third to Crossfield Kate after getting plenty of bother at the opening bend.

Lughill Robbie Made it a double on the night in the last heat for Graham Holland, Robbie won the early battle with Crossfield Jock on the outside and he coasted home in 28.72. The four quarter finals take place this Sunday night. Heat three will be a mouth-watering encounter as Drive On Razor (2), Clonbrien Hero (4) and Burnt Beans (5) are all in opposition. The early lead here will be vital!