EXPLOSIVE DISPLAY BY BOY IN INTERNATIONAL

Ian Fortune

Explosive Boy again confirmed his standing as one of the very best in training over the past two years with a brilliant display of pace and power to land the Dundalk International on Tuesday night.

The Pat Guilfoyle trained star was understandably sent of favourite but he was forced to work very hard by Singalong Sally.

For much of the journey it seemed as though the latter would come out on top after flashing from trap four and clearing those on her inner to lead the field into the back straight. Oaks champion Raha Mofo also went up fast but stayed wide, losing ground on the bend and allowing Explosive Boy to move second.

It was an important move which set up a tremendous buckle between Explosive Boy and Singalong Sally. Singalong Sally continued to dictate down the back straight but could never shake off the attentions of Explosive Boy.

Within a length and a half at the third turn, Explosive Boy was ready to pounce if the leader displayed any weakness. Predictably Singalong Sally stayed tight to the fence off the final turn to lead into the back straight but Explosive Boy was far from done with.

Powering up the straight, Explosive Boy came through to lead in the final fifty yards for a famous success. Cheryl Sutcliffe’s star hit the line with a length and a quarter to spare in 29.68. Singalong Sally may have needed the run but ran a big run in defeat, while Good Cody was third to give Pat Guilfoyle a one-three in the contest.

Peter Sutcliffe was on hand to collect the trophy and was delighted by the fact. After returning to Irish shores from Australia in recent weeks, this was the second trophy he has collected in the past week following the success of Vincenzo in the Shelbourne Champion 550 on Saturday.

Plans for Explosive Boy seem pretty fluid with Pat Guilfoyle suggesting the Derby would be the most likely target, while Peter was a little less sure. One suspects that if Explosive Boy does line up in the blue riband, it could be his swansong. No matter what he achieves from now, his legacy is there for all to see. The wonderful son of Good News and Delightful Girl has won the 2021 Produce Stakes, the 2021 Race of Champions, this year’s Select Stakes at Waterford and now the 2022 Dundalk International. That’s quite a CV or a greyhound who hasn’t long turned three years of age.

Leo McAuley Chairman Dundalk Greyhound Stadium presents the trophy to Peter Sutcliffe after Explosive Boy won the 2022 Dundalk International. Also included are trainer Pat Guilfoyle, Ann Channon GRI and Derek Frehill Director Of Racing GRI.                                        Pic: Imelda Grauer

A TREMENDOUS CARD       

The remainder of the Dundalk card was packed with superb displays.

There was a Boylesports Derby Trial Stake and Ray Hamilton’s Gaytime Nina belied her inexperience to see off some very talented trackers.

Despite taking a bump on the bend when sitting third and being forced to check wide at the third turn, the promising daughter of Droopys Sydney came home fast to deny Our Vikingspirit by a half length in 30.00.      

Racing ended with Droopys Soldier coming from a mile off the pace to lead in the dying strides for a near two length success over 670yds in 37.21. The Martin Lanney trained Crafty Bonanza justified favouritism in the penultimate race, shooting clear to hold the big finish of Killeacle Phelps by a neck in 28.47.

Corbrack Prince displayed his well-being ahead of a crack at the Irish Sprint Cup in the open 400.

Showing his famed early speed, the Robert Gleeson trained star came home two lengths clear of De Los Santos in 21.15. It was also wonderful to see a marathon on the card and Nigel McGarry’s Flying Honours produced a superb display to pick up Roxholme Kristoff. Coming home fast, the son of Ballymac Eske and Designer beat his rival by almost four lengths in 49.87, the second fastest time ever posted for the extended trip.