Dowling’s derby interest is still alive
RESTRICTIONS in relation to the use of water continue to apply in this county, but, for sure, there was no shortage of water from up above at last week’s Tuesday SIS meeting at the Oakview venue.
The rain just pelted down and so badly did it affect the racing surface that it was rated as slow as .50secs for the 525yds trip, which represents just over seven lengths.
It wasn’t .50 slow all night, with the first 525yds race rated .30 slow and the second and third .40 slow, but the full .50 applied for all 525yds races after that. As well, two 325ys races were rated .10 slow and .20 slow.
In those kind of conditions, favourites can take a hammering, but the opposite actually applied, with four favourites and three joint favourites obliging. Quite remarkable that.
The winners, in order, were: Broadmill Buddy (6/4 fav), 29.94; Scart Big Mike (7/4 fav), 18.00; Lanody Ver (7/1), 29.71; Gracias Wonder (2/1 fav), 29.41; Dramatic Rosie (2/1 joint fav), 29.62; Betsys Babs (9/2), 18.27; Our River (2/1 fav), 29.43; Tokenfire Abbie, 29.70; Knocknaboul Ozie (9/4 fav), 29.60; Denville Millie (9/4 joint fav), 29.62.
Saturday Night
THE weather was perfect for Saturday night’s meeting and the usual .10 deduction for the standard trip – and .05 slow for the 325yds trip – did not apply, with the going rated as standard.
There were two very hot runs , with the Michael A Reidy-trained Droumeragh (2/1 joint fav) clocking 28.65 in the seventh race (A5 525) and the Jerry Griffin-trained Honthehill following up in the very next race (A1 525) on 28.66.
Other winners: Coolboy Bob, 17.99; Knock Duty, 29.19; Mixandmingle, 29.52; Cosmic Doll, 29.46; Shift Blake Hill, 29.30; Portinard Sam, 17.72; Sarges Bullet, 29.51.
Sunday meeting
IT was back to .10 slow and .05 slow for Sunday evening’s SIS meeting and the winners were: Cruzin Buster (6/1), 29.33; Renasup Sky (7/4 fav), 17.84; Pennylane Star (5/2), 29.35; Parason Mario (2/1 fav), 28.90; Teevee Baily (7/1), 28.81; Millridge Miss (2/1 joint fav), 29.36; Westwind Magic (8/1), 28.72; Lassinagh Rebel (5/2 joint fav), 29.07. LIAM Dowling’s interest in the Boylesports Derby is still alive with Coolavanny Pet and Ballymac Arminta and, hopefully, he will still retain an interest after the semi-finals this Saturday night.
Liam’s GMHD classic winner, Ballymac Bolger, met with awful bad luck at the first bend in his third-round heat last Saturday night, apparently breaking a leg, and Mc Razl and Ballymac Trinkle also went out. So did Anne O’Connor’s Nice Charmer.
The Abbeyfeale syndicate dog, Packing Heat, winner of this year’s Lee Strand sweepstake, is still there and, interestingly, he has been drawn in the second quarter-final with Ballymac Arminta – in traps 1 and 2, respectively. Coolavanny Pet has a trap 1 draw in the first quarter-final.
It’s a long shot that any of them will go on to ultimate glory, with Packing Heat a 20/1 shot at this stage with the sponsors and Coolavanny Pet at 50/1 and Ballymac Arminta at 66/1, but one never knows and the best of luck is wished to the connections of them.