It Must Be Jack On The Draw!

We are down to the final of the Premier Classic in Cork this weekend, the Irish Independent Laurels. Here is a look at the finalists…

1. ELA ALECKO
This son of Brett Lee and Ballymac Eugenie started off his career in the GMHD unraced in Tralee last February. There was a nice few quid ante post for him in that competition but he had no luck in running on that occasion. He then went to Shelbourne Park where he impressed in two 550 races. His next outing was in the Con & Annie Kirby Puppy Stake at Limerick where he reached the semi-final going out behind the eventual winner Droopys Roddick.

Wimbledon was next on the agenda but he never seemed to take to the track. It’s a different story for him here at Cork! He has taken to the place like a duck to water. His last two starts have been wins, 28.11 in last week’s semi-final is his best run to date. He is a winner for us in the ante-post book so a win for Alecko will be a win for the good guys! Trainer: Peter Cronin.

2. SKYWALKER MANNER
Another graduate from the GMHD unraced stake at Tralee. Early pace is his strong point which he has showed in his races in Tralee, Limerick and Clonmel. Manner won his first two heats of the Produce Stakes beating some top class dogs in the process (he actually led Droopys Nine in the first round, Nine is one of the top early pacers in the country).

A 28.16 trial around Curraheen Park prior to this competition showed us he likes the circuit (beat his kennel mate and fellow finalist Rural Hawaii in that trial). Yet to find a smash break in the stake thus far, the draw has worked out well for him. Could be the value of the race! Another one we have running for us in the final. Trainer: Graham Holland

3. BORNA CANDY
This daughter of Milldean Panther and super bitch Borna Gem is the last remaining female in the competition. Owned, bred and trained by Ruairi Dwan, she has done most of her racing down south between Thurles, Kilkenny and Cork. Reached the quarter finals of this year’s Produce Stakes going out behind wonder dog Clares Rocket. Not blessed with her dams early pace she seems to be finishing off her races strong.

Her best run to date came in the second round where she was only beat a half-length by Quietly in 28.13. She is going to need a fair bit of luck on her side but her connections are well used to preparing runners for the big occasion. Outsider of the field. Trainer: Ruairi Dwan

4. FARLOE RUMBLE

Without doubt the fastest runner in the final.

Short a bit to the bend but if he gets loose he is the one they will all have to hold. Finished 3rd in last year’s BoyleSports Derby Final, he has been very unlucky with trap draws of late. Broke the clock in the second round 27.92, he didn’t get to hold it for long as Curious Boy topped that time less than 30 minutes later! His stand out run for me was in the quarter final where he was only beat a length by Gyp Rosetti in 28.03 after meeting trouble.

Owner/trainer combination are due a big win soon enough, can Rumble be the one to break the duck? Trap 4 is the closest he has got to the rails so far, he did do the clock from this box. Rumble is by far the worst loser in the book for us. Trainer: Owen Mckenna

5. MUST BE JACK
Jack is really starting to find his feet lately. He became a household name after his 27.99 win on Derby final night last year. Jack was part of Peter Cronin’s team for Wimbledon but had no luck in running. Has really taken off since arriving back home. His 16.37 trial at Waterford really stands out.

A few shrewd lads really fancied this fellow last week, how right they were. The draw couldn’t have worked out any better for Jack. Six will be keeping out and four will be moving in. A level break can see him lead on the outside. Another loser in the book for us. Trainer: Peter Cronin

6. RURAL HAWAII
One of the most consistent dogs in training over the last two seasons. Will always give his all on the outside. To be honest I didn’t think the track would suit him the way he runs so wide but, as always, I have been proved wrong! Has 19 wins to his credit all of which have been in open class company with over €48,500 prize money. Rural has already reached the final of the BoyleSports Race Of Champions this year (competition he won in 2015). Still going as well as ever as he showed in round 1. A small loser in the book. Trainer: Graham Holland

On the draw I think it’s all about trap 5, Must Be Jack.

We will be keeping on the right side of him as best we can all week!

CORN CUCHULAINN
Ireland’s premier six bend competition got underway last Friday night in Harold’s Cross and it attracted a very classy entry! The one low point on the night was seeing the Queen of the staying circuit, Tradition, break down, she has been a credit to her connections over the last two seasons. Let’s hope it’s nothing too serious. Trainer Graham Holland took four of the five first round heats.

Jo Jo Fantasy (42.29) took the step up two six bends in his stride although he did have to use all his four bend speed to hit the front just before the 4th bend. Maggies Lucy and Notorious Ben disputed the early lead here but were involved in a bit of trouble at the 3rd turn which allowed Jo Jo to slip into the lead. Glanmire Prince ran on well for second position here with Beaming Coyote back in third. English representative Fizzpop Buddy was a bit disappointing back in fourth but made it through to the next round. Hopefully the run around the track will bring him on, sometimes the track isn’t the easiest to handle first time round.

Miniconjou put in a terrific performance in heat two after some traffic problems in the first lap. Mineola Radical set a scorching gallop for the majority of the race but didn’t seem to stay on the strongest. Miniconjou cut through the field like a knife through butter to go on and score by three lengths from War Lord in second and the weakening Mineola Radical Back in third. 42.54 was the winning time here.

Ascot Becky has form over eight bends in the UK so 750 yards is a walk in the park for this daughter of Ace Hi Rumble. Country Legend used his top four bend speed to set a strong gallop here but didn’t have the stamina to hold off the late challenge of Becky. You could see off the last bend he was starting to gasp for air slightly, he rallied as best he could but went down by half a length in 42.25. Airmount Tess and Razldazl Westwood secured the two remaining qualifying positions here.

Ardrahan Zindi took advantage of Tradition’s misfortune in heat four, avoiding the trouble around bends one and two she shot to the front and had a big advantage passing the stand first time around.

She never looked back as she kept up a strong gallop to win by five lengths in the fastest of the night, 42.04.

Droopys Solar and Priceless Lassie finished second and third after early bother while Tyrap Dragi qualified as fastest 4th place finisher.

Shelbourne 575 track record holder Milldean Puma got a nice confidence boosting win in the fifth heat after a few rough rides in his last few starts in Shelbourne Park. After a fast start he made every post a winning one as he railed tightly around each corner saving vital ground. His stride did seem to shorten a small bit on the way home but this is always going to happen when they step up in trip for the first time. Fionntra Gavin chased him down in second while Jimbobjoe stayed on for third. The time was 42.28.

Betting is available for both aforementioned stakes on www.Boylesports.com . The William Hill Classic, Grand Prix, Festival Puppies and Festival Flyer is down to it’s final stage over in Sunderland, we have ante post betting available on all four competitions. Robert Gleesons Toolmakers Scott is flying the flag for the Irish in the Classic! #BetOnBoyle

*Prices correct at time of publication.