LUKA CAN DELIVER A MAGICAL PERFORMACE IN THE DROOPYS STUD SELECT STAKES

Barry Drake

The €10,000 to the winner Droopys Stud Select Stakes semi-finals take centre stage at Kilcohan Park on Saturday night.

Magical Luka has won 12 of his 13 career outings, and the flying early pacer, the ante-post favourite for outright glory, will be hard to beat in the opening heat. Patrick Guilfoyle's dog made a winning return to action recently, clocking a superb 20.97 around Dundalk's 400m trip. A previous 28.13 spin around Tralee tells us he should take plenty of stopping in this. All about early speed, he is selected to lead all the way.

Shanahee Boomer, trained by Kieran Lynch for owners the Bate The Ditch Syndicate, can chase the selection home. Runner-up in this event last year, he comes here in good form after a couple of fine runs around Shelbourne Park. From the rails pitch, he is next best.

Laurels Champion and Christmas Oaks winner Magical On Fire, also for Patrick Guilfoyle, will have plenty of supporters in the second heat; however, she will need to come well in this. If producing one of her better starts, she will be hard to hold in the second half of the race.

Beanos Yank, trained by Graham Holland for the Pups and Pints Syndicate, finished fifth in the final of the Kirby last week, and the flying starter is capable of a big run in this, despite a tricky draw in trap five. He has some huge runs in the book, and he may well bounce out in front and make every yard of the running.

Callaway Five, trained by Owen McKenna for owner Denis Murphy, gets a narrow vote in the third and final heat. He has some fine form in the book, and going on his recent 28.31 spin around course and distance, he is one to beat in this.

Fahee Phantom, trained by Graham Holland for owner Kenny Glen, is another big player. Just touched off behind Droopys Map last time out, he has impressive early speed, and he should make a bold bid from trap two.