ABBIE AND FRANKIE TOO HOT IN MIDLANDS DERBY

Ian Fortune

Odds on backers were in clover at Mullingar on Saturday night as Hawkfield Abbie and Rough Frankie justified their restrictive prices in the semi-finals of the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby.

Track record holder Hawkfield Abbie was a 1-2 favourite for the opening heat and she returned to winning ways after last week’s shock reversal. Quickly clearing the inside runner Faypoint Jet from trap two, the Ginger McGee trained daughter of Good News and Brownstown Tango disputed the early lead before asserting on the turn.

Once going to the front, the result was never in doubt. Staying close to the fence, Faypoint Jet slipped around in second and did all he could to bridge the gap. Despite closing on the run in, he was never close enough to threaten.

Hawkfield Abbie ran right to the line to emerge a fully deserving winner by two lengths in 30.57. Faypoint Jet was a goo second with Dark Design chasing the dup into the final, a further six and a half lengths adrift.

WHAT AN EFFORT FROM FRANKIE

Rough Frankie had to work considerably harder in the second heat, showing real determination and ability to overcome a very slow start.

Last into the bend, the Kurtis Bane trained son of Good News and Bubbly Rose displayed real intelligence on the bend, avoiding traffic and slipping through on the fence to go third.

He was soon second, heading Some Story before setting his sights on the pace-setting Syrax. Rough Frankie was four lengths back at halfway but began to move through the gears. Running a tremendous third turn, he was almost upsides as they turned for home.

Rough Frankie, owned by the Liquorice Allsorts Syndicate, carried his momentum into the home straight but Syrax was showing real tenacity out front. Slim Kerry was also finishing fast to join the battle.

In a tremendous finish, Rough Frankie stuck his neck out and drove to the line to eventually win by a length from Slim Kerry in 30.75. Syrax was just a short head away in third.

Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby

Final draw    

1 SYRAX

2 DARK DESIGN

3 FAYPOINT JET

4 SLIM KERRY

5 HAWKFIELD ABBIE

6 ROUGH FRANKIE (W)