COLEY AND ACE SECURE PUPPY DERBY SLOT IN STYLE
Ian Fortune
The stage is set for a tremendous finish to the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Puppy Derby with Saturday’s semi-finals providing impressive winners in the form of Kapuka Coley and Fahrenheit Ace.
Both were at their very sharpest but a few of those that chased them into next week’s decider also ran well in defeat and picking a likely winner of the classic is far from easy.
COLEY SETS THE STANDARD
In terms of the clock, none went faster than Kapuka Coley as he continued his superb run of form to post a sizzling fastest-of-the-night 28.04.
The Karol Ramsbottom trained sonof Sober Glory and Assarula Runner was aided by a vacant box on his immediate inside but it scarcely mattered as he shot from traps to dictate from the very first stride.
Kilwest Major was second in the early yards but Razldazl Loreal took up the chase at the turn. Behind the front three, Ballymac Scheff moved fourth at the second turn but he had plenty on his plate with Kapuka Coley stretching out up front.
Matt Dunne’s powerful galloper was always going to be impossible to pick up but Razldazl Loreal did all she could to close the gap. Less than two lengths adrift into the home straight, she couldn’t get any closer.
Instead, Ballymac Scheff flew home to grab second in the closing yards but Kapuka Coley was relentless up front and went on to win by two lengths. Razldazl Loreal was just a half lengths further adrift in third.
ACE TURNS UP THE HEAT
Fahrenheit Ace (Grangeview Ten/ Roaming Spirit) was at his very sharpest in the opening semi-final, making full use of a flying exit from trap three to make every yard despite the best efforts of those in behind.
Grouchos Chief displayed fine early speed to enter the back straight on the tail of the leader but could never quite get back on terms. Im Here also motored down the back straight to improve his position and was a serious challenger into the third turn.
Importantly, he attempted to go between Fahrenheit Ace and Grouchos Chief, losing momentum when the door was closed. Fahrenheit Ace kept finding up front to continue to dictate into the home straight but Slick Sanctuary was now improving along the fence.
Im Here and Groucho Chief were now in a straight battle for third as Slick Sanctuary moved second on the inside of the track. Fahrenheit Ace maintained a strong gallop to the line to claim a third career victory for Graham Holland and owners Lorraine O’Sullivan and Tony O’Connor, seeing off Slick Sanctuary by a length in 28.28. Im Here won the battle for third, another length adrift.
TIME Greyhound Nutrition Puppy Derby
Final draw
1 SLICK SANCTUARY
2 RAZLDAZL LOREAL
3 FAHRENHEIT ACE
4 BALLYMAC SCHEFF
5 KAPUKA COLEY (M)
6 IM HERE (W)
******
DYNOMO LEAVES IT LATE IN DERBY TRIAL STAKE
There was an incredible finish to the BOYLE Sports Derby Trial Stake with Toolmaker Dynomo coming from a mile off the pace to see off fellow fast finisher Priceless On Ice by a head in 29.90.
Neither were up with the pace early. Instead, Harry Houdini led the field for much of the way but he was always under severe pressure with Town Lucky pressing in second.
The latter finally got by his rival off the final turn but had been held up sufficiently to allow others to draw closer. Toolmaker Dynomo came wide and fast to score for Robert Gleeson and Willie Hyslop.
Toolmaker Dynomo may be Derby bound but his future lies over further with the son of Droopys Flytline and Droopys Dancer destined to make a top-class stayer.
COLEY A BRIGHT PROSPECT
Carrick Coley was brilliant as he posted a standard-setting 29.45 in the semi-finals of the Time Record Breaker AA0 Maiden 550.
Representing David Murray and Thomas Glynn, the son of Dromana Bucko and Ballymac Sanjose broke smartly and was too sharp for his rivals into the turn.
Droopys Porter pushed in second but Carrick Coley drove the bend to ease on at the head of affairs. The front two never changed thereafter with Carrick Coley staying on well to beat Droopys Porter by three and a half lengths.
AVENGER GETS LOOSE
Croyden Avenger made full use of an inside draw in the opening semi-final, doubling his career tally in the process.
Trained by Pat Barrett for Michael Clarke, the son of Sober Glory and Assarula Runner wasn’t the fastest into stride but paced up well to lead on the corner.
He quickly built a decisive advantage but still had to be on his toes in the latter stages with Coolemount Spy finishing fast in second. Croydon Avenger went on to score by three parts of a length in 29.76.
FRANK FLIES
Grouchos Frank was rampant in the semi-finals of the Time Greyhound 28 mini-open Dual Distance, posting a standard setting 29.39 in the opening heat for Pat Buckley and Shane O’Connell.
The son of Grouchos Duke and Glengar Queen was always in charge after a slick exit and proceeded to see off the always second Highview Excel by four lengths.
BRAYVIEW LAD MAKES HIS MOVE AT THIRD TURN
The second heat was a tighter affair but Brayview Lad finally got the better of Jacktavern Storm at the third turn to put the contest to bed.
The duo raced side by side to this point but Brayview Lad ran a better third turn and proceeded to ease clear.
Trained by Gerry Merriman for Conor and Edmund Nugent, the son of Orchestrate and Highview Jewel ran on to beat Jacktavern Storm by two lengths in 29.93.
COLOURS SHOWS HIS CLASS
Gold Cup Champion Coloursaregreen displayed his many qualities to land the ninth race, an Open 550.
With the Derby just around the corner, the Paul Hennessy trained speedster is starting to find top form and he was mighty impressive as he dictated from the outset.
Blastoff Heffo turned second and threatened into the third turn but Brendan Cocoman and Ian Cunningham’s Coloursaregreen (King Sheeran/ Magical Mary) kept finding, digging deep to kick again at the final bend. Coolemount Fame ran on at speed to make things interesting but Coloursaregreen held off the powerful tracker by a half length in 29.56.
MIST KEPT FINDING TO SCORE
Racing ended with a tight finish as Indian Mist (Ballymac Cashout/ Ballymac India) contained multiple challengers to earn an eighth career victory for Gerry Holian and owner Brian O’Donnell.
Prominent from the outset, the Tipperary Cup champion had to battle it out with Toolmaker King for much of the way before forcing his rival wide on the final turn.
Highview Dynasty came late on the scene to challenge but Indian Mist held on by a half length in 28.66.
FRANK FINDS A WAY
Racing commenced with the Michael O’Donovan trained Brother Frank (Droopys Jet/ Magical Poppy) coming through to finally open his Shelbourne Park account.
A warm favourite, the DV Walsh and S Cahill Syndicate owned tracker was in the perfect position on the inside to the turn but ran off the bend, giving Old Alaska a hefty bump.
This left the well-backed Harlequin Gee Up to go to the front but Brother Thomas was soon in chase. Charging into the third turn, Brother Thomas seemed certain to shoot clear but he was held up on the inside of the track and was a little slower to get through the gap than expected. He finally moved on as they hit the final turn and proceeded to power clear for a four length verdict over Harlequin Gee Up in 28.53.