TRAPRISE - Guilfoyle Boys can give Champion task a Good go
Following a short racing break in the wake of his brilliant Select Stakes victory at Waterford in April, Explosive Boy (Good News-Delightful Girl) signalled his rude health with a slick performance at Clonmel on his return to action a week ago which proved the ideal catalyst for a defence of his Race of Champions crown at Tralee as the Pat Guilfoyle trained superstar found another stunning winning effort in his semi-final victory on Friday.
Posting 29.65 in 550-yard victory on Produce Stakes final night, the Peter Sutcliffe owned 2021 Dog of the Year set new track record figures in the same Kingdom event last season and once again confirmed his liking for Tralee on Friday despite bested for early dash by a sharp Bockos Budsit throughout the initial exchanges. The latter Graham Holland charge impressively forged a tight one length lead at the opening bend when sweeping across Explosive Boy upon turning. Extending his advantage to a strong three lengths approaching halfway, the leader appeared set for victory before a telling effort beyond halfway saw Explosive Boy reduce his arrears with every stride on the run for home. Timing his late bid for glory to perfection, Explosive Boy settled a thrilling contest with just a shorthead to spare over Bockos Budsit, with Skywalker Barry third in a classy 29.68.
Having guided Good Cody (Definate Opinion-Soho Ark) to Kingdom Derby success last season, Pat Guilfoyle will be double handed in the Race of Champions Final this coming Friday as that National Sprint hero also progressed from the opposing semi-final, where defeat to the redoubtable Susie Sapphire was no disgrace.
The latter reigning Irish Derby Champion dominated the heat for Owen McKenna in a wonderful 29.60 as she atoned for her recent elimination from the Irish Oaks. However, owner John Kennedy and Pat Guilfoyle will have been pleased with the performance of Good Cody who was a persistent threat throughout his one and a half-length concession.
Final: 1️) Loher Ron 2️) Explosive Boy 3️) Susie Sapphire 4️) Skywalker Barry 5) Bockos Budsit (m) 6️) Good Cody (m)
An intriguing draw delivered on one crucial aspect within the final aspirations of Explosive Boy, being on the inside of Susie Sapphire from trap 2. Usually a smart breaker, should he prevent her from leading to the bend, Explosive Boy can hold every chance of victory if commanding the rails throughout.
However, that battle to the bend could prove a tight tussle and while Bockos Budsit must be respected if able to reproduce his latest smart break, Good Cody may well be ideally positioned to implement his early paced strategy on the outside and with a plausible path to clear passage, he earns a speculative vote a in a final truly worthy of the title.
Ryan Rattles off a Limerick double
It had been hoped to report on major sweepstake success for local kennels this week but a missed break cost Whats Up Jack his winning chance in the final of the Golden Muzzle when third in Saturday’s final at Limerick while a similar slow start was chief contributor to an agonising one and a half-length defeat to Ballybough Champ for Magical Poppy in the final of the DD0 Deadly Kennels 750 at Cork.
Commencing another busy weekend of winning action for local kennels, however, the Thursday meeting at Limerick again proved highly fruitful as a brace of tight finishes saw Newport handler PJ Ryan claim a double on the night with Padraig Tobin’s Rattlednet (Ballymac Best-Riverside Jade) leading the way in the A6 525.
With a host of solid placed efforts since last victorious in A5 grade back in February, the Ryan charge ended a somewhat frustrating spell as he led throughout the early exchanges following a smart break from trap 2. Within a thoroughly entertaining buckle however, the winner was joined and briefly headed off the final bend before bravely rallying on the run to the line. Settling a most entertaining buckle in thrilling fashion, Rattlednet got back up in the shadow of the post for a neck verdict in 29.43, the eighth win of his career.
Not to be outdone on the night, the Ryan double was be completed in the following A4 525 when Jet Power Class (Droopys Jet-Zari Class) secured his fifth race win. Staying stoutly to strike the front on the run to the line for a half-length verdict in 29.61, the former A2 runner remains ominously graded without a rise next time and can be fancied to follow-up.
Outside of the SIS schedule on that same Thursday fixture at Limerick, the fastest return of the night came over the sprint trip as Rory & Aoife McLoughney’s Liosgarbh Lila (Droopys Sydney-Liosgarbh Ene) claimed her first race victory at the third time of asking with a hugely impressive passage through the S4 350.
An August 2020 whelp, she had caught the eye when second in the same grade last time but breaking just behind the pace on Thursday, the McLoughney pup hit the front this time when displaying sharp pace between a brace of rivals on the long run to the bend. Claiming control of the inside rail while tackling the turns, Liosgarbh Lila settled the race on the run to the home stretch, posting a slick 18.85 in a cosy four length verdict for her red-hot Ardcroney kennels.
Sparking the local exploits when commencing that Limerick meeting in the opening A3 525 was John Ryan’s Pearl Express (Droopys Buick-Kingdom Queen) who claimed the third win of her career as she prepares to exit puppyhood this week.
Remaining consistent with smart places since last successful in A5 grade back in April, the Ballina charge was back to her best this time despite only fifth around the opening bends with over five lengths to recover. Thoroughly catching the eye beyond halfway however, Pearls Express overhauled a long-time leader for a thrilling half-length winning verdict in 29.07. A most game performance, she will return to her career high mark of A2 next time but should not fear the upgrade on the evidence of this victory.
Other outstanding highlights of the week were the completion of a four-timer for Bernie Hogan’s Old Bill at Thurles, a return to winning ways for William Rigney’s All About Ted at Shelbourne Park following his elimination form the English Derby and a maiden victory for young Charlie Bourke’s Ballygraigue Max over the sprint trip at Galway. The latter adds to the recent winning exploits of Ballygraigue Jim for handler Vincent McKenna and we will catch with all in more detail over coming weeks.