Oaks Betting: Cahill set fair for triple triumph

Events / Darrell Williams / 04 December 2008 / Leave a Comment

Darrell Williams is impressed by Seamus Cahill's runners in the latest heats of the Oaks.

Seamus Cahill could hardly have dreamt of a better outcome to the first round of the Oaks at Wimbledon, with all three of his bitches winning, and two of them, Droopys Quinta and Droopys Lotto posting the joint fastest times of 28.75.

It's sometimes hard to believe Droopys Quinta is still so young (an April 2007 whelp) as she seems to have been around for ages, having initially clocked a time only two lengths outside the track record on her debut at Wimbledon back in July. While a lack of consistency has remained a stumbling block, to this observer she could hardly have been more impressive in winning her heat the other night. Back over a slightly longer trip, having finished fourth in last week's Romford Puppy Cup final (400m), she gives the impression that she will excel as the competition goes on.

While admittedly I had my doubts at the outset it's better to arrive late at the party than not turn up at all and at [5.8] she must be added to the ante-post portfolio.

Favourably drawn in one of the easier quarter-finals (9.00) on Saturday night, she has only Westmead Tina, who ran a shade below par the other night, to beat, and will doubtless shorten up dramatically if she reproduces that first round run.

Cahill's Droopys Lotto, whose win in the final heat of the night, came as the track appeared to be slowing down, also warrants enormous respect and rates the selection in the 8.45 heat.

While Droopys Nicola, who never got a blow in against Droopys Quinta in the first round, rates an early paced threat, I fully expect 'Lotto' to trap in front. Having raced just twice since August, she remains open to further improvement.

Killough Belles, who got within a neck of Droopys Lotto, in the opening round, faces a tough task to get a run outside Special Liberty, herself a heat winner, in the 8.30 heat, with both sure to be cutting across to the rails at traps rise, where red-jacketed Steady Scholes could also prove an early player. All of which should set things up nicely for Dangerous Lady, whose return to form, was further indicated when beating useful Lochbo Meg on Tuesday night.

The final quarter-final (9.15) is undoubtedly the most competitive with no fewer than four heat winners clashing, but my money is on Cahill (pictured above winning the Betfair Trainers' Championship) again courtesy of Kilelton Rose, one of my original ante-post picks, whose early speed should ensure she gets first run on wide running rival Droopys Madam.

With Meenala Amy looking for the rails from trap three, likely to hold up Ontheriver Queen, both of whom could also be hampered by middle moving Fabulous Azure in trap one, there's every chance of Cahill's bitch enjoying a clear run. If my predictions are right that would complete another treble for the Hove-based handler.