MORE INCREDIBLE ACTION ON OFFER IN DERBY

Ian Fortune

The opening round of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby came to a conclusion at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night and the session certainly provided plenty to talk about.

There were some stunning displays from our canine stars but the headlines went to Liam Dowling, Pat Guilfoyle and Michael O’Donovan. The first two named recorded hat tricks, while O’Donovan sent out the standard setter Another Holiday and the easiest winner of the entire opening round, Ryhope Beach.

Heat 14 – A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY

Young Jack Roche would have been delighted with the display of his star Another Holiday in the first of Saturday’s heats as he left his rivals chasing shadows.

The Michael O’Donovan trained son of Dorotas Wildcat and Vigorous Lindsey was at his razor sharp best, showing huge early speed to dominate from the outset.

In what was his first outing over a trip in excess of 525yds, he looked a natural staying on well to contain the always second Papa Di Oro by four and a half lengths in a stunning, fastest of the Derby thus far, 29.23. Papa Di Ora had a length in hand on Hanover Phantom in third with Mcneill progressing in fourth.

Heat 15 – DISCO FEVER

Disco Pants may have needed the run after a short layoff but he did what was needed to win Heat 15 in fine front running style for John Breen, Conor Healy and handler Michael Daly.

The versatile son of Kinloch Brae and Bling Bling Lola shot from the inside trap and was always in the perfect pitch.

Once containing Carrigmore Logan, he quickly went about building a decisive lead. Romeo Hotshot was to push him hard in the closing yards after showing big pace to close around the last two bends but Disco Pants held him off by a half-length in 29.82. Carrigmore Logan stayed on for third, some three lengths adrift.   

Heat 16 – REX RUNS RAMPANT

The Shelbourne Champion 500 winner earlier in the summer, Ballyhimkin Rex ran riot in Heat 16 as he shot from trap four to dictate throughout.

Available at some very generous prices during the day considering his CV, the son of Ballyhimkin Jet and Slaneyside Poppy quickly seized control and was always going to be difficult to stop.

Top stayer threesixfive did give it a good go, however. Closing from the third bend all the way to the line, she again displayed her versatility but there was no stopping Ballyhimkin Rex. Billy and John Dunne’s talented charge coasted home a most impressive two length winner over the strong running Threesixfive in 29.33. Faypoint Angry made up plenty of ground to qualify, four lengths further back in third.

Heat 17 – SOBER DISPLAY FROM GLORY

Sober Glory provided Karol Ramsbottom with his second heat winner of the round in Heat 17, showing great pace and strength from halfway to reel in long-time leader Tommys Hewick.

This was billed as a match between Sober Glory and Cree Jo Jo but the latter completely missed the start and was never a factor.

Instead Hello Mom broke fastest but she couldn’t hold Tommys Hewick around the opening two bends. Sober Glory was a close third behind the pair but was forced to check his stride as they hit the second turn with no room to race.

Tommy Hewick moved into a clear lead down the back straight but Sober Glory started to really motor as they hit halfway, moving into second by the third turn before setting his sights on the leader. Sean Malone’s son of Droopys Sydney and Calzaghe Jan is immensely strong and he gradually reeled in Tommys Hewick to take the verdict by three parts of a length in 29.45. Tommys Hewick ran a huge race in second with Hello Mom progressing to the second round, four lengths back in third.  

Heat 18 – SCAGLIETTI MOTORS HOME

Cheryl Sutcliffe’s Scaglietti really did confirm his standing as a leading fancy for Derby glory in Heat 18, showing great all-round pace to contain one of last year’s finalists Droopys Nice One.

After breaking on terms,the Pat Guilfoyle trained Scaglietti displayed fine early dash to get up the inside of Droopys Nice One on the turn and that was to prove decisive.

Droopys Nice One really stuck to her guns and wouldn’t let Scaglietti (Magical Bale/ Outdoor Roller) put the race to bed but the leader has a massive engine and he was never going to surrender his advantage. As expected, Scaglietti stayed a little closer to the fence around the last two bends than his rival and he kicked off the final turn to emerge a tremendous length and a half scorer in a rapid 29.26. Droopys Nice One was a good second, four lengths clear of the reserve Dromana Dano, who ran a fine race in third.

Heat 19 – JOHNJO POUNCES LATE

While Heat 19 went right down to the wire, those in the know knew how it was going to go from an early stage with the hugely powerful Ballymac Johnjo turning a close second to Beepers Lariat.

The latter made a bold bid for glory, holding his rival to the third turn but there was a certain inevitability about proceedings.

As you would expect, Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Johnjo began to bridge the gap between the last two bends and made his move on the wide outside up the home straight. Beepers Lariat did all he could to hold his rival but Ballymac Johnjo was too strong and the son of Ballymac Anton and Art Of Illusion took the verdict by a half length in 29.60. Stonepark Syd displayed fine pace down the back straight to finish third, some three and a half lengths further back. 

Heat 20 – UNSTOPPABLE UNDISPUTED

Heat 20 was won in brilliant fashion from Undisputed but the great talking point was the elimination of Swords rex as he stumbled badly at traps to be left trailing the field.

In contrast, Undisputed was thoroughly professional, flying up the fence to contain Daleroad Duke into the turn.

It was all very predictable thereafter with the wonderful all-round speed of Undisputed keeping her clear of her rival. Droopys Onestop ran on well to take third spot but the front two were never under any pressure.

Undisputed just kept finding out front to contain the best efforts of Daleroad Duke, going on to secure an impressive victory. Trained by Pat Guilfoyle for Wayne McCarthy and Paul Prendergast, the hugely talented daughter of Pestana and Unlock Unlock hit the line a length and a half to the good in 29.47. Daleroad Duke ran another hugely encouraging race in second with Droopys Onestop three parts of a length adrift in third.

Heat 21 – FLYING FINN LOOKS AT HOME

It’s no secret that Ballymac Finn didn’t produce his best at Towcester during an English Derby challenge but he looked right at home at Shelbourne Park, winning Heat 21 with a real sense of authority.

Clonbrien Treaty was the hot favourite but again left his chance at traps. Instead, Goldirocks Magic flew from trap two to lead in the opening yards but Ballymac Finn flew past her to hold a clear advantage on the bend.

Clonbrien treaty recovered somewhat from his slow exit to move second into the back straight and did close to the third turn but never looked like getting to the leader. In fact, he ran out of steam as they turned for home allowing Goldirocks Magic to close.

This was all about Ballymac Finn, however. The 2022 Derby champion roared back to form with a brilliant five length victory in a superb 29.37. Goldirocks Magic ran a huge race to get back up for second, seeing off Clonbrien treaty by a half length. 

Heat 22 – DE LAHDEDAH

De Lahdedah continued his rapid rise up the ranks to potential super stardom in Heat 22, completing a treble for Liam Dowling on the night.

Sent to traps a red-hot favourite, he had to be at his sharpest to get the better of the very talented Clona Rocko.

The duo were streets clear of their rivals into the turn as they raced side by side with De Lahdedah making the most of his inside line to emerge in front. UK raider Brookside Richie recovered from a slow start, forcing his way through the fence to go third but he was never going to worry the front pair.

De Lahdedah entered the back straight with a half length advantage over Clona Rocko before increasing it to the third turn. Maintaining a strong gallop to the line, the Garsuns Syndicate owned son of former Derby champion Lenson Bocko and Ballymac Sarahjo eased on to win by three and a half lengths in a very satisfactory 29.43. Clona Rocko was a good second with Brookside Richie staying third, a further eight lengths adrift.

Heat 23 – BEACH GOES BALLISTIC

Ryhope Beach sent out a loud and very clear warning to his Derby rivals that he means business, emerging the widest margin winner of the entire opening round as he raced further and further clear.

Callaway Pro Am broke fastest but there was no pick-up from the talented tracker and he fell through the pack to play no part. In contrast, Mike Bandurak’s Ryhope Beach was showing fine pace on the outside of the track and he quickly moved to the front.

From that point on, the only person with concerns was the cameraman as he attempted to keep more than just Ryhope Beach in shot. The Michael O’Donovan trained son of Droopys Sydney and Calzaghe Jan powered right away from his rivals. By halfway his lead was in double figures and by the winning line he had moved a remarkable fifteen and a half lengths clear as he stopped the clock in 29.34, an indication that conditions were getting slower as the temperature dropped. Second spot went to Stefans Rock with Corbrack Dan two and a half lengths further adrift in third.

Heat 24 – JETARA

By the time Jetara took the honours in Heat 24, the track was certainly running on the slow side and it may not have played to his strengths but the Owen McKenna trained star dug deep to hold on from the advancing Boylesports Vic. 

Jetara was simply too quick for his rivals in the early yards, shooting up the outside of the track to lead the field into the back straight. Those in chase struggled to get loose with Boylesports Vic and Romeo Magico clashing and this allowed Peter Comerford’s Jetara to remain clear.

Despite coming back to hi rivals on the run in, the son of Droopys Sydney and Jetstream Lynx emerged a three parts of a length scorer over the staying on Boylesports Vic in 29.97. Romeo Magico was another length and a half adrift in third with Easy Razzle progressing in fourth.

Heat 25 – BOCKOS CRYSTAL

Bockos Crystal may have been rushed back from season but she didn’t show too many signs of rust, aside from tiring in the closing yards, in Heat 25.

The brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney and Vigorous Hilary shot from trap two and quickly assumed control, while her great rival Bobsleigh Dream cut inwards from trap four, getting held up.

Boylesports Bob moved second to the bend but lost ground and momentum at this point as he changed legs. It was all Bockos Crystal needed. Driving clear, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Vigorous Hilary seemed to be an unassailable lead by the third turn but suddenly those in behind began to close.

In what was her first start since April, Bockos Crystal understandably began to tire. Bobsleigh Dream had by now recovered after her early traffic problems and was absolutely motoring, while Boylesports Bob continued to run hard in chase.

In a tremendous finish, Bockos Crystal dug deep to score for Graham Holland and Bev Lochead, holding the advancing Bobsleigh Dream and Boylesports Bob by a half length and a head in 29.58. It was a remarkable run in the circumstances and one that suggests Bokos Crystal and those closest to her could be players in the remainder of the Derby. 

Heat 26 – MUSIC HITS THE RIGHT NOTES

After strong market support, Halo was sent off a surprising favourite for the final heat but it seemed an inspired move when he shot up the fence to take charge and build a clear advantage.

In contrast, his main market rival Music Glideaway, owned by the Pension Plan Syndicate, was slowly into stride and was struggling to get involved.

That changed off the second turn. With Halo still clear, Music Glideaway had to do something drastic. Showing big pace down the back straight, the Pat Guilfoyle trained son of Newinn Taylor and Glideaway Magic moved from last early in the back straight to second at the third turn.

It was to prove a decisive maneouvre as he got first run at the now capitulating Halo. Showing signs of fatigue in the slower conditions, Halo was clearly in need of the line. Music Glideaway got first run at the leader and he took full advantage. Fire Time and Docktechnik Diva were now finishing fast but Music Glideaway came through to score in 30.09. Fire Time was just a half length away in second with Docktechnik coming out of the clouds to finish just a head away in third. Halo faded badly but managed to progress as one of the fastest fourths.