ZEUS FASTEST AS KILKENNY DERBY GETS UNDERWAY

Ian Fortune

Neilus O’Connell and Karen Geoghegan had a night to remember at Kilkenny on Friday night as they recorded a wonderful double in the opening round of the Jag Building Services & KGOBA A1 Derby with their wonderful servant Kilcolgan Zeus also setting a strong standard.

The talented son of Pat C Sabbath and Razldazl Valerie was in action in the final heat and he looked right at home around Kilkenny as he ran a superb bend to take up the running into the back straight from Foxrock Rory. Once doing so, he eased on to eventually beat Bromore Cliffs by four and a half lengths in 28.71.

Kilcolgan Comet had earlier initiated the O’Connell/ Geoghegan double in Heat 2. He was always in charge before coming home three lengths clear in 28.88.   

AWAY AND GONE FOR ROBERTO

Kilara Roberto provided Philip O’Keeffe and Michael Donnely with an impressive winner in Heat 4 as he shot from traps to make all.

The son of Pestana and Kilara Diamond is a noted fast starter and was never headed despite the best efforts of Glideaway Alfie. Kilara Roberto went on to score by three parts of a length in a fast 28.76. 

JASMINE ALWAYS IN CHARGE

Glengar Jasmine also posted 28.76 in Heat 5 for Corona Ryan.

She may have been 10-1, but the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton certainly ran like one that believed she was a warm favourite. Breaking smartly, she was in charge throughout before going on to beat Boger Dusty by three lengths.

MILO RUNS WELL

Lemon Milo was a good winner of Heat 6 for Tom Lennon.

Although not the fastest into stride, the son of Ballymac Best and Lemon Belle paced up well to turn second to Volcano Canelo before running a great second bend to take up the running. It was a decisive manoeuvre with Lemon Milo going on to score by a length from Volcano Canelo in 28.85.

VICI WITH A LAST STRIDE SUCESS

Vici Tana claimed a very narrow victory for the Vici Syndicate in the opening heat.

Second for much of the way behind Yankee Doodle, the daughter of Pestana and Ballygur Pearl stayed on well to lead on the line for a short head success in 29.01.

PRINCE OVERCOMES TRAFFIC

American Prince came out on top in Heat 3 for Dolores Ruth and Kim Bergin.

The strong running son of Droopys Sydney and Rangefield Lass actually led into the turn but was bumped at the turn and again as they entered the back straight.

He was nothing if not game, however. De Black Swallow took up the running at this point but American Prince was too close and he stormed home to lead late for a length verdict in 29.20.