The Comerford Cakes Open 525 at Shelbourne Park – an event which has previously launched the careers of the likes of Premier Fantasy and Sidarian Blaze – is the latest youngsters’ race to have its conditions altered.
Formerly called the National Puppy Stake, the race has been opened up to older runners with September 13 and October whelps allowed to race to ensure that it fills and it still came up six short of the required 54.
It goes to show that the runner shortage is not just confined to this side of the Irish Sea.
There is still plenty of class on show for the event, which was won last year by Bubbly Zeus.
Jaytee Dutch looks like going off the ante-post favourite after his near-miss in the Juvenile Derby at Harolds Cross.
Paul Hennessy’s runner, who finished a desperately unlucky third to Anopeles, has been beaten in two races here since but you get the feeling a massive run is just around the corner.
Cork raider Creamery Bale and Sword Fern are the main threats.
Anopheles has since landed the Dog Puppy Race on the Night of Stars support card in 28.70sec and can take the third qualifier.
Liam Dowling’s runner is better drawn than main rival Fast Fit Alex and can get first run.
Imperial Express is given the vote in the opening qualifier.
Peter Cronin’s runner was impressive when scoring by eight lengths in 28.34sec recently although he fluffed his lines last week when beaten by the re-opposing Proud Graham in 28.70sec.
Owen McKenna’s Farloe Cody, a fast 28.32sec over C&D in the summer is another to throw into the mix.
Cronin can double up with Milldean Puma in the fourth qualifier. The son of Milldean Panther won here at the end of last month in a fast 28.18sec and can prove too good for Juvenile Derby finalist Black Alder.
Droopys Latina will be one of the market principals and can take the last heat in his stride.
Robert Gleeson’s runner has a flying 28.05sec on his card from September and has caught the eye in defeat, especially running subsequent Night of Stars winner Leave At Dawn to a length and a half over 550 yards.
It’s a hot race with the likes of Jaytee Pharoah and Farloe Joey in opposition but he is chosen to overcome trap five.
Gleeson can double up with Toolmaker Scot in the fifth qualifier.
The son of Boherna On Air has won four of his five races at Shelbourne including a 28.31sec effort and can see off Graham Holland’s Jo Jo Fantasy.
Holland can hit the target with Ballinakill Boots in the sixth heat. The Westmead Hawk dog was second to Toolmaker Scot in an unraced final here in September and has since run a good second to the fast Lenson Panda.
Michael O’Donovan’s Lone Scolari looks a big danger.
Madabout Marco looks the one to beat in the penultimate qualifier after his cracking 28.39sec (-20) effort at Tralee.
