BREEZE BLOWS RIVALS AWAY IN NEWBRIDGE
Ian Fortune
Hawkfield Breeze is rapidly developing into a very talented tracker for Jamie McGee and Jerry Connors and she took another leap forward at Newbridge on Friday night as she set a strong standard in the opening round of the Friends of Newbridge A1 Derby.
The 2-1 favourite in Heat 4, the daughter of Droopys Jet and Brownbstown Tango tracked Bee In Court into the back straight before pouncing in the second half of the contest. Taking over soon after halfway, she pulled right away to eventually score by six lengths from the early pace-setter in a fast 29.87. Madabout Barbs was third.
A SUPREME DISPLAY FROM TALENTED JIRANO
Jirano Supreme also broke the 30 second barrier in Heat 2. It was only a matter of time before the son of Sonic and Ballydoyle Maura produced a massive run and the step up to 550yds proved ideal.
Despite making a slow start, the Liam O’Rourke trained tracker flew into the turn to sit third.
Moving onto the fence, he slipped up the inside of Burrow Erris and the very wide running Catunda Cleo to take charge. Thereafter, there was nothing his rivals could do. Pat Norton’s powerful galloper reveled in his freedom and he ran right away from those in chase to score by an ever-increasing seven and a half lengths in 29.94. Burrow Erris was second with Catunda Cleo three parts of a length further back in third.
CIAN TOO SHARP
Early speed was the key to victory for Beepers Cian in the opening heat.
Lenny O’Hanlon’s son of Ballymac Sexton and Ballymac Galtee shot from the outside box and quickly opened a clear advantage. Paradise Moldova flew down the back straight to move second and stayed on well, but Beepers Cian held on for a comfortable two length verdict in 30.04. Toolmaker Wilde ran on strongly to finish just a half length adrift in third.
DEC DASHES TO THE FRONT
Michael Hogan’s Grangeview Dec took Heat 3, showing fine early dash after a moderate start to lead on the turn.
Once striking the front, he raced right away to hold a commanding advantage at the third turn. Despite running wide on the final turn, the son of Superior Product and Portumna West emerged an easy six and a half length winner over Lil Trish in 30.29. Swanley Smasher was six lengths away in third.
DISTRACTED PREMIER LEADS LATE
Michael Hogan looked set to complete a double in the final heat with Grangeview Best making virtually every yard only to be collared late by the distracted Gunboat Premier.
The latter led in the closing yards but was marked awkward in his half length victory. Sean Kenny’s son of Droopys Jet and Dynamic Trend stopped the clock in 30.28 but wasn’t in the draw for the second round.