'Culdaff Lady' the banker bet at Brandywell Stadium

There was a decent crowd at Brandywell Stadium on Monday night where the main races on an exciting card were the semi-finals of the ‘Track Lotto sponsored 500’.
By The Tracker
Published 11th Mar 2020, 10:57 BST
Updated 11th Mar 2020, 11:31 BST
The finalists (not in trap order) for the' Track Lotto 500' decider at Brandywell Stadium on Monday night..The finalists (not in trap order) for the' Track Lotto 500' decider at Brandywell Stadium on Monday night..
The finalists (not in trap order) for the' Track Lotto 500' decider at Brandywell Stadium on Monday night..

In the first semi-final, ‘Culdaff Lady’ was a well supported favourite at 5/4 and the August ‘18 bitch, owned by Gavin Donnelly, made no mistake. Quickly away from trap two, she led up on the inside to be in front around the opening bends. Along the back straight she increased her lead before running on very strongly to come home over eight lengths clear to win in a good time of 27.90 for the 500 yards.

The second semi-final looked very competitive on form and in the betting ring ‘Cal’s Picnic’ was the evens favourite to win after her impressive victory the previous week at the track. ‘Townsend Carol’ was next best at 6/4 in the betting before the off.

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Before the start most people were of the opinion that ‘Cal’s Picnic’ would lead but at trap rise it was the normally slow starting, ‘Townsend Carol’ that was best away. Around the opening bends she maintained her lead and everybody at that point knew it would take something special to peg her back but there was no chance of that happening as she went further clear around the final bends and ran on strongly to win by seven lengths in a time of 28.10 for the 500 yards.

So, looking at Monday night’s final, it’s hard to make a case for anything outside the two semi-final winners. The run to the first bend will be crucial in this race and my view is that ‘Culdaff Lady’ has the slightly more impressive early pace and although ‘Townsend Carol’ is a strong stayer, I just can’t see her pulling back.

If she leads, which I suspect she will do on Monday night, ‘Culdaff Lady’ is the selection to win the final for her Creggan based owner.

Meanwhile, the first major final of the year, the ‘Ladbrokes Easter Cup’ will take place at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and ‘Wolfe’ in trap three looks the one to be on. The November ‘16 dog was in impressive form when winning his semi-final last week in a time of 29.43 for the 500 yards. Indeed, he has a few lengths advantage on the clock and from a favourable trap three draw, he should win this final for trainer, Graham Holland.

As normal, the first race on Monday night at Brandywell Stadium will begin at 8.00pm.

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