SHOWTIME AND HARRY RECORD SEMI-FINAL SUCCESSES AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

For the third week running, Deadly Showtime set the standard in the Jag Building Services & KGOBA A1 Derby at Kilkenny on Friday evening.

A 1-2 favourite, the Karol Ramsbottom trained son of Droopys Sydney and Ruby Valley had to work considerably harder than previous weeks, however.

The Blue Light Syndicate owned star was challenged into the bend by the fast starting Leahs Turn but was held up sufficiently to allow Sawdust Good Job to come around the outside and lead the field down the back straight.

Deadly Showtime was in determined humour, however, and he drove into the third turn to challenge on the inside of his rival. He didn’t get by until the final corner but from there he edged on to win by two lengths in 29.05. Sawdust Good Job was second with Janey Macarooney a further five and a half lengths adrift in third.

A TIGHT AFFAIR GOES TO HARRY

The second heat was hugely competitive with the Paul Hennessy trained Blastoff Harry finally getting the better of Rowlers Road and Delirium Tremens in the final strides.

All three were prominent from the outset with the fast-starting Rowlers Road holding a narrow advantage for much of the way.

Delirium Tremens challenged down the back straight, while Blastoff Harry came between the pair to join a line of three at the third turn. With the inside line in his favour, Rowlers Road again asserted of the final turn but it was short-lived as Paul Hynes’ Blastoff Harry stayed on strongly to lead on the line for a head success in 29.29. Delirium Tremens was just a length further back in third. 

JAG Building Services & KGOBA A1 Derby

Final Draw

1 Rowlers Road

2 Deadly Showtime

3 Blastoff Harry (m)

4 Delirium Tremens (m)

5 Janey Macarooney (w)

6 Sawdust Good Job (w)

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JACKO LOOKS A PROSPECT IN MEANEY MEMORIAL

There were some fine displays in the second round of the Peter Meaney Memorial also.

The unraced competition features a number of promising types but the standout display came from Kilara Jacko as he again displayed impressive pace from the second turn on his way to a 29.05 success.

Despite a slow start in the second heat, the Michael Donnelly trained son of Ballymac Best and Kilara Jessie flew into the turn to sit on the heels of the leaders before showing fine track craft to make his challenge on the outside of the front three.

Showing superb back straight speed, Philip O’Keeffe’s youngster took over into the third turn from Scooby The Comet before easing right away to win by five lengths. There is clearly far better to come from the winner.

SID GIVES RIVALS THE SLIP

Damien Cunningham and Liam Kirley sent out Glenquain Sid to win the final heat, showing fine early speed to largely avoid an opening bend scrimmage.

Despite taking a bump on the turn, the well-bred son of Droopys Sydney and Glenlee shot into a clear advantage by the second bend.

Beaming Bolger moved second between the last two bends but couldn’t make any impression. Glenquain Sid ran out a seven-length scorer in 29.24. Droopys Shaun was third, a further two and a half lengths adrift.

ATOMIC EMERGES ON TOP

David Firmager’s Romeo Atomic won the opening heat, riding a couple of early bumps to turn in front. The Graham Holland trained son of Romeo Recruit and Fabulous Mila came home two lengths clear of Run Faster in 29.50. Romeo Kodi, a brother to the winner was third, another length and a half back.