Clares Rocket Ready For Take Off

One word comes to mind when I think of Clares Rocket and that is freak!

Rocket Ready For Take Off
He broke 28:00 for the third weekend running which is not the norm, yet the Rocket seems to do it at his ease. Going off at 4/7 he pinged the lids yet again as he recorded a 2.77 split on the run to the corner.

From the first turn he drew further and further clear with every stride putting a huge gap between himself and a decent field. They all raced in Indian file down the far side with Crohane Ronnie doing the chasing in second position but to no avail. Eventual third Jo Jo Fantasy was in last position out of the second bend and looked to be going out of the competition as there was some stout stayers in front of him.

The winner was way out front in isolation as he roared into the third bend, all eyes were on the infield clock as he raced up the home straight. The Rocket cruised up to the line stopping the clock in 27.96, coming home eight lengths clear of Crohane Ronnie in second position who in turn had half a length to spare over Jo Jo Fantasy in third.

Jo Jo has to be given credit for qualifying in third place. He looked to have no chance off the second bend so performed miracles to get through.

Upset
Mountaylor Queen caused a huge upset in the second semi-final, she was 8/1 outsider of the field but won it like an odds-on poke.

Breaking fast from trap three she just managed to clear the field to the bend, the trouble behind her was a huge help. Off the second bend she had a length to spare over Anopheles in second and Razldazl Tierna in third. Anopheles kept wide off the second bend causing Razldazl to check up a small bit which allowed the runners in behind to gain vital ground.

Escapism began to make his move passing the 750 boxes moving into forth position. Up front though it was still the Queen who dictated the pace with Anopheles in second position around the last two turns. If there was betting in running I would say that Anopheles would have traded very short as he is proven stayer but Queen to her credit found more when needed and held on to win by a length in 28.69. Escapism ran a blinder in third position just to qualify after a messy run around the first two bends.

Final
Looking at the final, is it a forgone conclusion? We think so!

He looks to be a moral certainty barring an accident.

Drawn to perfection in six, Clares Rocket should easily have the upper hand on the run to the corner over both dogs on his immediate left.

Of the inside three Mountaylor Queen in one looks to have the most early and is well drawn against the fence.

Jo Jo Fantasy in trap two done the clock in round one (28.18) so he can be the biggest threat to his kennel companion. Owen McKenna has a tremendous record in this competition in recent years, he is represented by Escapism in trap four. Three of Owen’s four Produce Stakes wins have been out of trap four!
While the outsider of the field Crohane Ronnie represents the local team of Decky Byrne and Tom Simpson. Decky won the Produce Stakes in 2011 with Whiteys Hawk who was also a fancy price! Can lightning strike twice? Clares gets the confident vote.

Sporting Press Irish Oaks
The Oaks got underway last Saturday night in HQ.

Ballydoyle Honey made her reappearance after her seasonal break in heat seven. Running a bit ring rusty she safely qualified in second place behind Faypoint Lisa in 28.62. Honey is in or around her pupping time at the moment so she will be at her most vulnerable over the next two weeks.

That’s why she is available at 5/1, this time last year she was half that price.

If the Honey isn’t firing on all cylinders over the next few weeks her trainer has a very able second string in the shape of Ballinakil Clare.

Clare created a huge stir in the Puppy Oaks clocking some fancy times on her way to the final, she set the standard on Saturday with a slick 28.13 run.

Puppy Oaks runner-up Holycross Leah was next best on the clock with a 28.27 for her trainer Jerry Melia. Leah is like clockwork out of the boxes so she could represent the value in the outright market. Other heat winners of note were Droopys Sambuca (28.40), Mysterious Ways (28.49), Highview Jane(28.65) and Skywalker Gail in 28.52. All six second round heats take place this coming Saturday night with four bitches getting through in each heat.

English Derby
We are heading into the big week in terms of the English Derby. The three runs in the week separates the men from the boys!

Ballymac Matt really set tongues wagging in Saturday night’s heats with a 28.05 run, posting a slick 4.68 sectional Matt led all in what looked the heat of death. Droopys Latina ran an eye catcher in second position here. Matt now finds himself on top of the ante-post market with Eden The Kid.

The last mentioned made it two from two so far as he collared the fast starting Ballymac Brogan in 28.24 on Thursday night. Jaytee Dutch’s price is really after tumbling down since the start of the Derby, Paul Hennessy’s runner preformed miracles to get up and win last time after missing the kick a wee bit. Hennessy had no luck on Saturday night as he saw Double Oh Seven break down and then had his main hope in the Derby Jaytee Jet dead heat for third place in heat 16 with Badmoonrising.

These two have to have a run-off on Wednesday morning to see who goes into the draw for the third round. The draw is due to take place Wednesday lunchtime.

Ante-post betting for the aforementioned stakes can be viewed on www.Boylesports.com along with specials on the English Derby. The Boylesports Race Of Champions is due to get underway this coming Friday night in Tralee. Leave At Dawn, Ballyhooley Henry, Milldean Puma, Skywalker Rory and last year’s winner Rural Hawaii lead the entries. #BetOnBoyle for all things greyhounds!

*Prices correct at time of publication.