Shelbourne Laura does it again

Walthamstow Report 21 June 2007

Thursday's card was an ok open race card, featuring some competitive races, with a few graded fillers.

Now I can't believe many consider the 430 races much of a punting proposition, but the opener looked to be a decent race. Legal Major has been on fire recently, but had a dodgy draw outside Pork Pie. The  inside dogs went up in a line and Wheres Yer Man surprisingly went round. This was partly due to neither Pork Pie or Legal Major being too fluent round the bends. Wheres Yer Man went on to make all and Pork Pie kept on gallantly for second. Myella Honcho didn't look 100% in behind.

Discreet Cat faced much stiffer opposition in the Div 2 stayers event, than when he routed a field of shitters recently. Discreet Cat cracked out, but failed to see out the trip. Shelbourne Thesa stayed on and led on the run in. Drimeen Rumble broke ok, was quickly outpaced and ran a shocker. Go Princess was hammered at the first bend.

The hurdles event was an appalling excuse for a race. The favvy Firm Handed jumped poorly and could only manage third. Lodge Mentor was slow away and somehow got to the front, until being headed near the line. Gantara challenged and had a dwell up between the last two bends and after seeming to give the race away, showed screws pace to grab the lead again near the line.

Pinehurst Silk broke best in the Div 2 puppy race, but Lockdale Duke showed the better early and led off the second. He was anything but impressive in winning,  as the others weren't beaten far, despite showing hardly any pace.

Courts Ad Queen crashed out and made all in the Div 2 standard. Fear Mykeo was outpaced, but took the bends much more fluently this week and followed him home. 

The novice stayers event was another disappointing open. Zu Yi blasted clear, before folding up from the 5th. Directors Wish kept on and took it up on the run in. Droopys Boss stayed on late after a poor start to finish 2nd.

After a level start, Buckland Wally got a clear run and led off the 2nd bend. The favvy, Farloe Focus, turned handy and out-stayed him, hitting the front at the 3/4. Sir Alf showed some early pace, but faded on the run in.

Only five went to post for the maiden. The front two in the market, Black Horse and Daisyfield Matti had both disappointed last time. They repeated the feat tonight and Wise Digger (who has a decent win record) capitalised and made all. Black Horse checked at the 3/4.

Snappy Girl looked like a gimme in the marathon and made all. She was sent off a 2/5 shot, but was briefly threatened by Jangos Snowdrop, who ran well in defeat.

Milldean Buster was disappointing last time, but made no mistake tonight in the Div 1 puppy race. Her rival in the betting, Beardys Lex Anne, was no rival at all in the race and she ran a shocker.

Shelbourne Laura repeated her excellent run from last week and cracked out and made all in the Div 1 stayers event. BBC (Big Brett Coal) missed the break and could never get on terms, going down by four lengths.

Cobra Striking was sent off the odds on jolly in the Div 1 standard. He came out level with the field for a few strides and unleashed his awesome early pace to lead round. He never got far enough in front and Droopys Fabregas swung round handy. Droopys Fabregas is a strong running dog (although being a bit inconsistent) and ran on well to take it up at the 3/4. Rooster Nosey followed him home and I'm afraid went under my radar. I'll have to have a look at the video.

Special Trip towed then round in the A1, coming off the fence on the run to the first bend. Shrewd Rambler eased round the first two bends, but straightened up and nutted Special Trip, after looking like he'd win by a bit further.

Rather Rapid won the lucky last (a div 2 novice 640), making all. Double Pickins kept on for second. A Million Miles got going far too late. (No trial, no chance (well, normally))

Last updated: 13 Jun 2008 by Stow judge Contact