Explosive 550 debut topples daddy’s Tralee record
With no thoughts of some time to rest on his laurels following victory in the Irish Produce Stakes just last week, Pat Guilfoyle chose the 2021 Race Of Champions at Tralee for the 550-yard debut of Explosive Boy on Saturday and any doubts over his ability to ably see out the Derby distance were conclusively dismissed when breaking the track record at his first attempt!
The outstanding superstar of the 2021 season thus far, Explosive Boy (Good News-Delightful Girl) was housed in trap 3 for his opening heat of the prestigious 18-runner event and found one of his best breaks where he exits boxes on a perfect stride to accommodate his remarkable early pace. It is that astounding prowess in the early strides which inevitably leads to questions over stamina at extended four bend trips but as Explosive Boy left talented rivals toiling in his wake with every stride, it became increasingly apparent that the maturing Guilfoyle speedster will have little difficulty in maintaining his momentum over 550-yards, especially if leading in the early stages of his races. A two-length first bend lead quickly extended to the back-straight when pursued by Crossfield Feena. Still stretching his lead around the closing bends, Explosive Boy ceded nothing in the home straight as he posted new track record figures of 29.22 in an eight and a half-length victory.
An astounding feat when considered that there had not been time to trial the Produce Stakes champion at the track, the performance becomes yet more remarkable as it was his own dad’s record that he was lowering following the 29.34 performance of Good News in the same event back in 2017!
With two to advance to the final from three heats, Cesarewitch heroine Amazing Alice agonisingly lost out when third in the opener. Last off the second bend, a half-length cost her a place when staying strongly behind Ballymac Belvult in 29.88. The remaining semi also went the way of Liam Dowling as Ballymac Merlin posted 29.55.
Final Draw: 1) Ballymac Belvult 2) Ballymac Merlin 3) Deadly Samurai 4) Crossfield Feena 5) Explosive Boy 6) Buttsys Bengal - Live on Talking Dogs TV; Visit grireland.ie
Explosive Boy will be a short-priced favourite for this Saturday’s final and although drawn wide in a field of all inside seeds, he has ably coped with such scenarios previously. A swifter start than the sharp Buttsys Bengal would aid his cause while chief threat for early supremacy to his left will be Deadly Samurai. However, another adept break will likely suffice for the new track record holder.
Pressure off in poignant win for Rogue
It was at this time last year that the local greyhound community bid a final farewell to John White and a last racer under his care, Pressure Rogue (Skywalker Puma-Freedom Shadow) could surely have been named after his affable former owner.
Having taken charge of the May 2017 whelp following the untimely passing of his close friend, Joe Devaney has ably guided the veteran tracker through a competitive campaign over the past twelve months but a victory in last Thursday’s A2 525 at Limerick will have been a poignant one, arriving on the occasion of John’s anniversary.
Successful in A3 grade last month before a close second on upgrade, the Devaney charge confirmed his current spritely form with one of his better breaks from Trap 3. Leading to the opening bend, he would have company on his shoulder all along the back-straight but always strong in the latter half of his races, Pressure Rogue was never for passing.
Completing his fourth career win, Pressure Rogue posted a smart 28.88 in a strong staying two-length verdict and will not be daunted by a rise to A1 for his next outing.
It was a fruitful evening for local challengers at Limerick on Thursday and only twice kept out of the forecast places in his first fifteen race starts, the recent form of the Mary Ellens Gang Syndicate’s Sharavogue (Droopys Jet-Glideaway Kate) belied his wonderfully consistent overall profile.
Back on song this time however, the Pat Steed charge stacked the figures back in his favour with a hugely impressive performance to land his A3 525 contest. As advanced as we are ever used to seeing him following a smart break from Trap 6, the February 2018 whelp reached the opening bend just a length in arrears of the early speed in third.
Widest entering the back-straight, his customary prowess beyond halfway saw the Ballinaclough stalwart range up to contest the lead on the outside of a line of three at the closing bends. Happy to chart his wide path to the home stretch, Sharavogue edged clear on the run to the line and registered an ultimately cosy three and a half length verdict in 29.12. That time allows him to compete in A3 again next time and it would be a surprise should he not double up!
We had of course been hoping to report on even better news from Limerick this week but the final of the 550-Yard Greyhound & Petworld Golden Muzzle proved a treacherous outing for our local challengers.
Sandwiched between runners at the first bend, favourite Meduza suffered significant bumping when completely losing her action as a consequence. Leaving Magical Jasper to carry local hopes, the Pat Guilfoyle charge also suffered early crowding and could never make up his halfway deficit on fellow strong runner Blastoff Harry who led home Paul Hennessy kennelmate Priceless Henry in 29.83, with Magical Jasper settling for third.