Trainer Mick Halford gave bookies a good scare last Friday
night when he had a four timer at odds of 50/1. Before last Friday Halford
trained 21 winners from 295 runners in 2014 or a 7% strike rate, half that of
2013, where the Co. Kildare based trainer operated at 14%. You could argue that
as a result of a quiet summer a lot of his horses are well handicapped. 6 of
the stables last 10 runners have won and the yard could be set to dominate
Dundalk for the rest of the winter series. Compare Halfords poor strike rate so
far this year against Lynam 13% and Lyons 20% and you can see it was a
strangely subdued summer. Ger Lyons admitted last Friday on the latest of his
popular facebook updates that most of his string will be put away after a big
season; it may leave the path clear for Halford to take advantage.
Friday night there are a few entries that take my eye. Danz Gift should appreciate the step
back in trip in the 5f Handicap. Poorly drawn last time out over 6f, the Sheila
Lavery trained gelding was keen but made eye-catching ground in the penultimate
furlong and just got tired late on. Danseur de Feu done remarkably well to
finish a close 4th last week behind The Dancing Lord after blowing
the start. Dropped 5lb since, if she can break better the Prendergast filly
looks dangerously well handicapped. Hash
Tag Hero could be a big price if the Andy Oliver gelding lines up in the
mile maiden. He was dropped in at the rear last week from a wide stall in a
race won by Venezia. This race was run at a crawl early on and they sprinted in
the last 3f. The reason I was taken by this ordinary looking performance on
paper, was how the horse on debut quickened from the rear as the pace heated up,
wide around the final bend. Hash Tag Hero’s run flattened out in the straight
but it was a run of much promise. Elsewhere on the card He’s Our Music and Eretara
could do with some more luck in running than their respective last runs and
could go close.
Whaileyy would be
the nap on Wednesday evening in the Claiming race for the in form Michael
Halford. This horse ran in a good race a fortnight ago behind Captain Joy, met
trouble in running in the last couple of furlongs but hit the line really hard
when he saw daylight again. His main rivals here all our susceptible; Akasaka
is coming off a little break, Dashwood would prefer a softer surface and Bubbly
Bellini is beatable and will make the market for Whaileyy. Norville,Hoppsan and
Cheers Buddy should fight out the apprentice handicap after all running well
last week and since been give some relief by the assessor, dropped 4,4 and 5lb
in the ratings respectively. Nedera
won cosily last week showing a fine turn of foot for local jockey Colin Keane
and trainer Tom McCourt. Dropped 4lb by the handicapper before last week’s run,
he will carry a mandatory 5lb penalty so run off a 63 rating, only 1lb higher
than when winning Friday, which seems manageable. He is due to go up another
3lb and is therefore ‘well in’ at the weights. So Sensible would be the main danger
as when last seen he was a good winner of a competitive Galway handicap. I’d expect a much improved performance from Bairns at Bay in the fillies maiden,
Ger Lyons’ seem to come on a bundle for their first run. Last but not least Doux Douce looks well treated on some
of last year’s form where he was ridden curiously each run, a blazing front
runner. Now with new connections and a new jockey, expect a more considered
ride to harness the energy and obvious ability this horse has to exploit a
lowly mark of 51.
I want to mention an anomaly that currently exists at
Dundalk Racecourse. A Bar One betting office is located about 50 yards from the
betting ring where about a dozen bookies stand up on average each week. Take
the big race three weeks ago for example where Chance to Dance was awarded the
Carlingford Stakes after Obliterator, first past the post was disqualified.
Bookies on course paid on official result so Obliterator backers were left
distraught. The betting shop at the track accepts singles and pay double
result. Backers of both horses were paid and didn’t have a moments worry in the
enquiry. Not only that, but your price is guaranteed in the shop. It leaves you
wonder why people are betting outside in the ring at all. Is this fair? The on
course bookmakers have significant expenses and I wonder is it a level playing
field. Or is it time for the ring to adapt to survive. In any case the current
situation can’t last, at least not if punters open their eyes. I should make it
clear that this is not a precedent; I believe the Boylesports betting shop in
Fairyhouse at Easter were the first ones to accept singles at the track in
which they were present.
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