DEERJET MATILDA HITS TOP FORM IN THE KINGDOM

Barry Drake

DEERJET MATILDA (Deerjet Sydney-Nice Mystery) set the standard in the opening round of the John & Mary Killeacle Dowling Memorial A1 570 at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.

Trained by Pat Buckley for owner Nicholas De La Roche, the even-money winner wasn't the quickest away, but she tracked lovely around the opening corners, and she was soon second behind Millridge Lily. Displaying big pace on the back straight, she took up the running between the final corners and kept on well to beat the running on Coolavanny Shona, by a length and a half, in 31.03. Two lengths back to Millridge Lily in third.

Daleroad Best (Ballymac Best-Dresden Story) delivered a powerful performance to win the opening heat for John O'Keeffe. Millridge Jayden looked in control heading down the back straight, but the even-money favourite had other ideas. Storming home, the Daleroad winner got the better of Millridge Jayden, by half a length, in 30.31. Three lengths back to Jaypees Cooper.

In the second heat, Zenith Gizmo (Dromana Bucko-Droopys Zero) caught the eye when winning for Birol Nadir and Paddy Kehoe. The 4-5 favourite was moderately away, and he didn't enjoy the clearest of runs. Waiting for the gaps to open on the turns for home, once he saw daylight on the home straight, he powered home to beat Drumshanbo Susie, by a head, in 31.46. Two lengths back to Pretend Time in third.

Heat three went the way of Mr Greddy (Callaway Pro Am-Highview Pace) for trainer Jack Kennelly and owners the Any Ideas Syndicate. Flying to the front before the final corner, the 6-4 favourite took over from Millridge Rodger and in a great battle all the way home, Mr Greddy got the verdict, by a neck, in 31.35. Shimmering Water a further length back in third.