GREYHOUNDS: The annual Dundalk International takes place this coming Tuesday evening and as usual, has thrown up a stellar line up.
Initially the concept was the three best from England and the 2 best from Ireland plus the winner of the Dundalk Trophy (Dun Dealgan Trophy), however there has been a lack of UK trained runners in the past number of years. Recent English Derby finalist Mickys Barrett was an intended runner but was withdrawn at final stage and will be replaced by the ultra-consistent Ballymac Fairone. There still is an international feel to the event with Explosive Boy owned by Australian based Peter Sutcliffe and Gaston Pecas owned by Spanish based Javier Jarne. The revised line-up is a follows
1️⃣ Good Cody
2️⃣ Explosive Boy
3️⃣ Gaston Pecas
4️⃣ Singalong Sally
5️⃣ Ballymac Fairone
6️⃣ Raha Mofo
Good Cody: Winner of last year’s sprint Cup over 400 yards around here and also claimed sprinter of the year for 2021. Stays four bends strongly when off the front, must lead to be seen at his best. Well drawn. First of two runners for the red-hot Patrick Guilfoyle.
Explosive Boy: Second runner for Patrick Guilfoyle, hugely impressive winner over 575 at Shelbourne last weekend. 2021 Greyhound of the year, capable of a flying start, one of Irelands fastest when he does things right. Turned in some promising trials around here recently.
Gaston Pecas: First of two runners for trainer Pat Buckley. Winner of the Produce Stakes at Clonmel in June. Finished behind Explosive Boy in the first round of the Race of Champions at Tralee before winning a first-round heat of the Shelbourne Champion 550.
Singalong Sally: The second of the Buckley runners, what a star she has been. Irish Derby Runner up in 2021, Juvenile Classic Winner, Kirby Memorial finalist and Champion Bitch Stake winner at Thurles. She starts and stays and is always a danger.
Ballymac Fairone: Has been mixing it in top company since the very start of his career. English Derby finalist in 2021 and again ran well in that event this year. Laurels finalist in Cork last year as well as contesting the semi-finals of last year’s Irish Derby. Capable sort and deserves big race success. Draw could suit.
Raha Mofo: The recent Oaks champion where she got up late to deny Scooby Duchess in the dying strides. Has improved dramatically in recent months. Was contesting A5 competitions before her successful Oaks quest. The step up in trip will suit and she may yet improve further.
Verdict: Firstly, it is great to have this event back on the calendar having lost it to covid in 2020 and 2021. The lack of an English entry does detract from it ever so slightly; however, we have six of Irelands best in this unique invitational showpiece. Patrick Guilfoyle and Pat Buckley are both responsible for two runners each and both men have won the event on more than one occasion, Guilfoyle with Definite Opinion in 2010 and 2011 while Buckley has won it three times, Droopys Electric 2006, Paradise Silva 2015 and Droopys Roddick 2016. The Guilfoyle trained duo of Good Cody and Explosive Boy dominate the betting and the break will be crucial. Although Explosive Boy is the more consistent trapper of the inside two, I feel Good Cody is the more natural early paced of the pair.
If they broke level, for me Good Cody could lead up the inside. Singalong Sally is always to be feared, she can fly from traps and will head for the fence early, it is a big ask to clear a lot of pace on her inside and she may not do her kennel companion Gaston Pecas any favours in three. The outside pair may benefit from Singalong Sally seeking a rails pitch, but again would both like to be drawn closer to the fence. I will side with Good Cody to make all at a venue he goes so well at, and give his excellent trainer Patrick Guilfoyle a third win in the event.
Coolavanny Hoffa with a huge run at Shelbourne Park.
After a thunderous downpour before the start of our third race dogs went straight to traps, and we may have witnessed something incredibly special. Coolavanny Hoffa (Droopys Sydney/Coolavanny Ella) had shown plenty of promise in previous outings and was a real eyecatcher for me winning around here last time. Yet he bettered that performance, and in some style too. Quickly away from five he led up from Roxholme Duke in six and soon began to move clear of his rivals. Main market rival Droopys Optimum took a tumble at the first bend when making ground after a slow start. Others were caught up in the subsequent traffic and it was effectively a two-dog race from here on in. Hoffa then proceeded to turn it into a race against the clock and he simply flew to the third turn and never let up. Crossing the line eight lengths ahead of Roxholme Duke in a rapid 28:10. The track was far from ideal and given any semblance of a normal track you would have expected Mark and Michael O Donovan’s charge to have broken the 28 seconds barrier. Nonetheless it was a superb performance.
Weekends Best Bets:
Irish Greyhound Derby Ante Post
Coolavanny Hoffa: Two units win @ 33/1
Dundalk International Tuesday July 12th
Good Cody: Two units win
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