Clares Rockets To Top Of Kirby Market

Clares Rocket stole the show last Saturday night in the second round of the Con & Annie Kirby puppy stake in Limerick with a sizzling 28.13 success.

The Rocket
He is now three from three at the track and is improving his time with each look at the circuit (28.39, 28.27 and 28.13).

The early pace he showed last time was phenomenal – drawn in four and Lenson Rocky, who has a nice turn of early foot, was drawn right next door in three.

After a level break I would have said that Rocky was a certainty to lead up, but this wasn’t the case, as Clares rocked up to the corner keeping his line from four and negotiated the bend beautifully to turn down the back with a nice advantage.

From the sprint boxes he really turned the screw and broke Lenson Rocky’s heart, who to his credit, tried his best to keep tabs with the leader. Clares came home five lengths clear of Lenson Rocky who had a further four lengths to spare from Tommys Lord at the line.

Droopys Roddick
Current English Derby favourite Droopys Roddick kept his unbeaten record in this event intact in the opening heat. Anyone who took the even money about this Pat Buckley-trained runner was made to sweat it out until the very end. Drawn badly in five, Roddick missed the kick and got crowded after a few strides which put him back to last position. He looked in serious bother from there and many would have been tempted to tear up their betting slips there and then.

Trap one Dream Believer was setting the pace up front as they went down the far side but all the drama was happening in behind. Roddick couldn’t get a clear run wherever he went down the far side and when he went for a gap up the inside into the third bend the door was slammed shut. Ela Alecko in trap four (a recent winner over 550 in SPK) was now in front turning for home and looked a winner, but credit where credit is due to Droopys Roddick, who smartly switched wide on the run for home.

This move gave him a clear run for the first time in the race which allowed him to show his true ability. He took off in the last 50 yards to get up and win by a neck in 28.89. Don’t let the time put you off – have a look at the replay and you’ll see that he left plenty of time on the track!

Holland Treble
Graham Holland enjoyed a treble on the night which started off with Riverside Oscar in the third heat. He took charge of the race going to the first corner and opened up a two length advantage down the far side. Coolykereen Rake done the chasing down in second place and ran extremely well in second position closing the gap down to half a length when they reached the judge in 28.69.

Silverhill Pat was the third leg of the treble in the final heat. This fellow was well supported in the GMHD unraced in Tralee before going out in the semi-final. His trade mark is his early speed and this is what won the race for him. After a slow start he worked his way to the front before the opening turn and kicked clear down the far side, keeping up a strong gallop he never looked in danger leading home a kennel 1-2 (Jo Jo Fantasy in second).

Witches Belle is quickly establishing herself as one of the country’s leading ladies and she was ultra-impressive in heat seven. Showing tremendous guts from the third bend from home, she flew down the outside to get the better of Calzaghe Billy and Riverside Chip in 28.56. Other heat winners on the night were Coolavanny Wendy for Frazer Black in 28.40, Eightythreelarch in 28.43 and Maytown Eclipse in 28.55.

Scottish Derby
The Scottish Derby is fast approaching with the draw due to be made this week. There will be a number of Irish challengers making their way to Shawfield this weekend spearheaded by Francie Murray’s Fair Taxes, who has two impressive trials done around the Scottish Track already. Ante post betting will be available as soon as the draw is made.

Easter Cup
Jaytee Jet showed all round speed to win the Easter Cup last weekend, and in doing so, provided a seventh success in the Cup for his trainer Paul Hennessy. Connections have aimed him next for the English Derby.

Jet already ran there as a raw pup last season and ran well against some well-established trackers.

Now a year older, he could well be Ireland’s leading challenger and at 33/1, I think there is plenty of juice in his price.

He will be a lot shorter before the first round. Ante post betting for the aforementioned competitions can be viewed on www.boylesports.com #BetOnBoyle

*Prices correct at time of publication