HOFFA TRIALS AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

The question has been asked more than once in recent weeks and months; where is Coolavanny Hoffa?

Well, on Friday night, he was at Shelbourne Park and trialled ahead of racing (recorded 28.23), presumably with a Derby challenge on the horizon.

The sensationally fast son of Droopy Sydney was last seen in racing action when making a desperately unlucky exit from last year’s Derby at the semi-final stages. At the time he was a hot favourite to land the classic.

It was five months later when the next mark on his card would appear, a simply breathtaking 17.04 sprint trial around Tralee. That time was almost two lengths faster than the track record held by Ballymac Sexton.

It was another three months before he would appear again, posting a stunning 27.83 in a 525yd trial around Cork. That run was just two spots slower than the track record held by Illnotbeback.

He didn’t quite go as fast on Friday evening but moved with fluency as he stopped the clock in 28.23 at Shelbourne Park. It is wonderful to see the Michael O’Donovan trained return to Dublin, albeit in a trial, but hopefully we will see him back in racing action in the very near future. 

Damien Lonergan of Boylesports reports that he has been popular with punters for the upcoming Boylesports Derby and as a result is the 10-1 clear favourite. If he returns in the same form as last August, he could well emerge as the one to beat.