Buick looks pure Gold on TV card at Monmore
David Metcalf | August 11, 2016
Droopys Buick ready to kick Butt at Monmore
Top class Open race action from Monmore takes centre stage on Racing Post Greyhound TV tonight (Sky 468, Freesat 250) and T3 Droopys Buick rates the best bet on the card in the second semi-final of the Gold Cup at 20:26.
Jimmy Wright’s son of Yeah Man is a really class sort who made the final of the Scottish Derby and equalled the fastest time of the year at Newcastle in the heats of the Wilf Husband Memorial when registering 6 1/2 length success in 28.18.
Buick also ran as well as could be expected at Shelbourne when third to flying machine Clares Rocket in the semi-final of the Champion Stakes before getting back to winning ways over course and distance in last week’s heats.
The selection was quickly away in the latter and ran on strongly to score in a best-of-round time of 27.76.
That was marginally quicker than his main rival in this Hiya Butt (27.79), but Buick’s sectional was nearly two lengths slower.
It suggests that if Droopys Buick can get away in good style and turn unscathed at the first bend he will have too much power for the trailblazing Hiya Butt to handle at the business end of affairs.
Here’s my thoughts on the other two semi-finals and the three semi-finals of the Stayers Classic:
20:11 Gold Cup semi-final 1
T4 Jaytee Spartacus has won two of his three starts at the venue and and looks decent value to bag another success after his fine second to Making Paper in last week’s heats. Paul Young’s dog only got picked up late to be beaten 3/4 of a length and is entitled to come on for that outing. In his first win at the track he producing the lightning split of 4.22 to by 9 3/4 lengths in a time of 27.93 and a reproduction would make him very hard to beat.
20:41 Gold Cup semi-final 3
T2 Roswell Iceman has been costly to follow in recent weeks but is a pacey sort when timing it right at trap rise and looks well housed in the blue jacket to get back on the scoresheet. With the outside wide duo of Carlos Court and Droopys Country very closely matched there is a distinct possibility of crowding at the first bend and if getting away in good style Iceman can take advantage to boss the inside and cut loose in the middle part of the contest.
20:56 Stayers Classic semi-final 1
T1 Fearsome Phantom made a smooth transition to six bends when running out an impressive four length winner in the heats and can get the better of main market rival T3 Ballymac Ramsey to book his place in the final. Pat Rosney’s dog made all after being quickly away to score in a time of 37.55. His 12.61 sectional was around 1 1/2 lengths slower than Ramsey who clocked 37.53 and that suggests he is the stronger of the pair and can come out on top in what looks a match on paper.
21:12 Stayers Classic semi-final 2
T6 Shellam Delano got going far too late when third in the heats but looks a cut-above his rivals and is a confident selection to get back to winning ways. Jimmy Wright’s dog showed what he was capable of when beating Billys Bullet over course and distance three starts back and also ran very well next time up at the track when runner-up to Mossvale Ace in a time of 37.53. A repeat of either of those efforts would be more than good enough to see him prevail.
21:30 Stayers Classic semi-final 3
T3 Billys Bullet performed miracles to qualify when missing the break completely and getting badly crowded before being beaten be beaten just a length by Belstone Fox in the heats and rates a solid bet to gain his revenge. Mark Wallis’ Coral Regency winner is by far the classiest in the line-up and a tenacious sort to pass when getting on the bunny. I don’t think he was ideal suited by Trap 1 last week and the switch to the white jacket can see him break better and quickly put a seal on the race.
Monmore best bets
20:11 T4 Jaytee Spartacus
20:26 T3 Droopys Buick (NAP)
20:41 T2 Roswell Iceman (NB)
20:56 T1 Fearsome Phantom
21:12 T6 Shellam Delano
21:30 T3 Billys Bullet
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