Duke Has A Lot To Gain

The Gain 600 got under way in HQ last Saturday night. Last year the winner, Ballymac Matt, went on to land the BoyleSports Derby.

Gain 600
Can lightning strike twice this time around? Before the event started we installed the Graham Holland-trained Jo Jo’s Fantasy as the ante-post favourite but he missed the kick and got bothered at the first turn and was eliminated.

As we go to print, BoyleSports Duke tops the market at 4/1 after finishing second in his opening round heat behind the well experienced Slippery Snowy.

This was Snowy’s first win of the 2016 campaign. In his defence, he was keeping in with some hot company in both the Gold Cup and the Easter Cup. The extra twenty five yards to the corner really looked to suit this son of Brett Lee and Kildallon Maid who turned the second corner in second position, a place we don’t often see him in too early in the race.

Once he hit the front it was race over as Snowy flew home over 525 and 550 so there are no question marks over his stamina. All eyes were on the dogs in behind running for the qualifying positions with our own BoyleSports Duke having his first start over the extended four bend trip.

He qualified safely enough in second position here running on very strong up the home straight. The 600 yard boxes in Shelbourne Park are the old style of traps. Trap one and six tend to miss the kick more often than not so we can forgive him of his slow start. The run out of the boxes should leave him spot on for next week. Mynewbestfriend was the third place qualifier. Snowy’s winning time was fastest of the session 32.71.

Luke & Simon
We had a dead heat in the very first heat of the competition as the judge couldn’t separate the litter brothers Newlawn Luke and Simon. Luke was the first into stride and led along way down the far side from Shugabear Barber in second position and Newlawn Simon in third.

Off the last corner you could see Luke’s stride shortening a bit as the second and third began to close rapidly. If it was a 575 race he was up half a length but as he reached the second winning line his litter brother just got on level terms up his inside. Shugabear Barber was only a half away back in third. The winning time here was 32.82

Holland Heaven
Graham Holland-trained runners dominated the market in the second heat, and indeed the market got it spot on as the 5/4 favourite Notorious Ben got up late to pip his kennel mate Hovex Blaze. Hovex was a very impressive winner of an open 575 two weeks ago in 31.13 staying on strong. When he led down the back last week you would of thought he was on his way to another victory, but his kennel mate had other things on his mind.

As they turned for home Hovex had a length and a half of a lead over Notorious back in second, the latter swung wind up the home straight surrendering some vital ground. Once Notorious straighted up and put his head down he found another gear and swooped passed the leader to hit the line a half a length in front stopping the clock on 32.79. Milldean Cougar made it a kennel 1-2-3 back in third.

Eyecatchers
The Ballymac Stud Night Of Stars 600 winner Ballyhooly Henry made it two wins from three starts this year in Shelbourne. He is very hard to beat once getting drawn on the fence in these 600 yard races. Last week’s comments read QAw,ALd ! So that tells you the story of his race.

There was also an eye catching run by the youngster in second position, Mustang Noplan. The son of David Bale was only beat a length in second position after getting stopped a bit at the first turn. For a dog only having his seventh race start he picked himself up like a professional and kept on strong. Tradition came in as a reserve in this heat for House Docter, she ran her usual race staying on well for third position. This is 200 yards short of her best trip.

Semi-Finals
Looking ahead to the semi-finals next week, BoyleSports Duke can redeem himself in the opening heat. Here Newlawn Luke can set a strong gallop on the run to the bend on the inside, hopefully the Duke can turn handy off the second corner and switch on the turbo from there. We know he stays strong and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is in front off the last bend.

The second semi-final could be decided on the run to the bend.

I think Slippery Snowy can use the rails to his benefit and lead home Ballyhooly Henry and Tradition.

English Derby Countdown
The Engish Derby is less than three weeks away at this stage and the betting is really starting to tighten up. Jaytee Jet was the biggest mover in the market after his impressive trial in Plough Lane over the weekend.

He came out under the bars doing a 4.75 sectional and beating his kennel mate Double Oh Seven by five and a half lengths in 28.32 – by far the fastest of the night.

A number of Irish trained runners were put through their paces on Wednesday morning and these results can be viewed by logging on to www.wgoa.co.uk. Eden The Kid looks to be the UK’s leading contender and he is a 20/1 shot. He was a finalist last year as a puppy so he has high expectations this year. I have no doubt he is the fastest dog in the UK but his lack of early is a worry.

Keep up to date with the latest market movers in the Gain 600 and English Derby by logging on to www.boylesports.com or call into one of our 200 shops nationwide #BetOnBoyle

*Prices correct at time of publication