Flying Dutchman Justifies Favourite Tag

We said he was an unlucky loser in the opening round, but this week Jaytee Dutch cemented his position at the top of the ante-post market for the Comerford Cakes.

The Flying Dutchman
Racing from trap one he came out of the boxes running, posting a brilliant 1.91 split. Dutch now found himself in fairly unknown territory in front turning the second corner with a two length lead!

The last time he led around the opening two bends was at the start of his career in Enniscorty, from the sprint boxes he really opened up. Realistically the race was over since the lids opened so all eyes now were on the infield clock. He eventually ran out a four and a half-length winner over Proud Graham in a sizzling 28.15.

The runner up ran an eye-catching race in behind, he didn’t let Dutch get too far clear. Farloe Joey made his presence felt in the competition with a super effort in the opening heat. Creamery Bale led around the first two turns and had a three to four length advantage over Joey who bullied his way into second position.

Bale was setting a strong gallop up front but Joey was eating into his advantage with every stride. As they approached the third bend Joey was breathing down the neck of Creamery Bale and swept the front on the outside without breaking stride. Already a confirmed stayer Joey kicked for home and ran out a comfortable three and a half-length winner in a superb 28.39.

Aayamza Seve made it a double on the night for trainer Owen McKenna, this son of David Bale tracked impressive opening round winner Scary Days down the far side, it was only when they turned for home that Seve made his move on the leader. He took up the running just before they reached the judge and got up to win in 28.69.

Milldean Puma continued his winning run in heat three, he caught the eye in the opening round coming from well off the pace to win, so once he turned second in this heat it looked all over. Puma crossed the line three lengths in front of the early paced Exactly. Other heat winners were Maglass Razzle 28.72 and Borna Sounds 28.84.

Looking at the draw for the quarter finals Toolmakers Scott is the one that could get us a winner.

His last two starts were below par by his standards, but he can get himself back to winning ways in the opening quarter final. It’s full of early pace but he has the superior early toe.

The Queen Returns
Ballydoyle Honey made an amazing return to action last Saturday night in the Gain Christmas Oaks, for once she wasn’t the fastest heat winner but it was the way she won her heat.

She raced from trap six with a vacant box on her inside and after an ok break she didn’t show her usual dash into the corner. Honey didn’t get the cleanest of runs around the first two corners and found herself in fourth position heading down the far side.

Dromscarra Ruby was setting a strong gallop up front while all the drama was beginning to unfold in behind. Ballydoyle was beginning to wind up her challenge halfway down the back straight when she seemed to clip heels with Yahoo Perlena, which caused her to stumble, she picked herself up fairly quick though. Turning for home Honey looked to be in a spot of bother, but it’s as if she knows exactly where the winning line is. It was unbelievable the way she found an extra gear when needed and got up to win by a neck in 28.68.

Trainer Graham Holland won three of the six heats of this competition, Skywalker Pearl was the opening leg of the treble. Drawn perfectly in trap one she got off to her usual fast start and was well in command going to the corner. Pearl did put a fair bit of daylight between herself and the chasing pack down the back straight. Follys View was the one to do the chasing, she did close the gap a fair bit but could never get to the leader. Pearl ran out a two length winner in 28.46.

The fastest first round heat winner was High St Jesse, this Rachel Wheeler trained speedster made every post a winning one in a very stylish victory.

Jesse has some very flashy trials on her card lately and this was the first time she has put it all together on the race track for a while. This run will have done her confidence a world of good, it has been a while since she has got her nose in front. 28.42 was the winning time here.

The remaining heats were won by John Linehan’s Droopys Aurora (28.84), Rural Maui (28.60) and Got The Edge in 28.69. It’s going to be hard to stop Ballydoyle Honey from taking yet another Oaks from Shelbourne Park to add to the Puppy Oaks and the Sporting Press Irish Oaks.

Class On Show In Newcastlewest
Coursing enthusiasts around Munster are in for a treat this weekend. The Munster Cup in Newcastlewest has attracted its usual top class entry, Serene Angel was the first dog out of the hat.

He already has six Champion Stakes points in the bag after winning in Abbeydorney and running up in Kilsheelen. If he can kick two more points over the bar here he could cement his place in the final line up. The draw has worked out extremely well for Michael O’Donovans charge, the top half looks softer on paper.

The bottom half is going to take a lot of winning. There are two nice Derby trial stake winners on show, Rhythm And Rhyme and Parlor Game. Rhythm And Rhyme picked up his car pass in Ballyheigue and Parlour Game won a very nice trial stake in Castleisland. It will be interesting to see how these two youngsters get on against their older counterparts.

At All Times and Maker Of Rules are the two stand out second season runners in this half, Maker Of Rules has a big reputation from last season but has yet to live up to it. He is an Irish Cup quarter finalist (actually beaten by Serene Angel) so he has to be respected. At All Times won the first Cup of the year in Kilflynn and ran well in Listowel, he is also looking to bag a few Champion Stakes points.

I’m going to side with Serene here, he has the experience and the draw so with that in mind he gets the vote.

The bitch stake here has attracted some big names. Bated Breath, Pauna Pronto, Sequin, Leigh Snowy, Leavesinthewind, Uptown Rosie, Carefull Betty and Bexhill Mandy. This is going to take some winning let me tell you!

Bathed Breath is the stand out performer so far this season after her wins in Glin and Castleisland. It could be a close buckle between herself and Leavesinthewind in round one and Bated should have the upper hand. If she does get over this battle I reckon she will get to the final.

Any one of three bitches at the bottom half can get to the final, Leigh Snowie, Carefull Betty and Bexhill Mandy. Betty is in her third season so it will be interesting to see how she returns into action. She must be going well for connections to enter her here. Bexhill Mandy took off in Ballyduff, beating decent performers on the way. She could be the one to make her way to the final.

I’m going to have to stick by my old reliable though Bated Breath. She hasn’t put a foot wrong all season and I hope she continues her winning run.

All ante-post betting for the aforementioned stakes are all available on www.Boylesports.com as well as a number of other competitions taking place on each side of the Irish Sea. Updated betting for the Derby and Oaks is available each week throughout the 2015/16 coursing season. There could be a big shake up in the Derby market after this weekend with a number of leading Derby hopes on show at both Newcastlewest and Old Kilcullen.

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