DROOPYS SORT TAKES OFF IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE A1 KASKO DERBY

    DROOPYS SORT TAKES OFF IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE A1 KASKO DERBY

    Barry Drake

    DROOPYS SORT, trained by John Linehan for the Three Tall Men Syndicate, set the standard in the opening round of the A1 Kasko Derby on Saturday night.

    The well-backed even money favourite (Pic right with) John Linehan and Mossie O’Leary after Droopys Sort clocked a top class 28:07 in the opening round of the A1 Kasko Derby.  displayed plenty of early dash to slip around in front and in truth, the September puppy was always in control up front. Clocking a top class 15.97 down into the third corner, the impressive winner then stayed on strongly to beat Priceless Romeo, by four and a half lengths, in 28.07.

    CAREER BEST
    The second heat was all about the front running Croydon Bay as the 4-1 shot delivered a career best performance for trainer Patrick Barrett and owner Michael Clark.

    Clocking a flying 3.20 sectional to lead, the in-form tracker was making it three wins from his last four as he kept finding in front to beat Bushpark Rodney, by two and a half lengths, in 28.59.

    ALL THE WAY
    Trained by Pat Kiely for the Thirteen Hurlers On The Ditch Syndicate, Valleys Angel put on a stunning all the way winning run in the third heat.

    The 6-4 shot produced one of her best starts to lead, soon in control, she maintained a strong gallop throughout as she beat the eye catching Jim By Two, by two and a half lengths, in 28.41.

    BRILLIANT TREBLE
    Local trainer Kieran Lynch recorded a brilliant treble on the night, two of those winners coming in the A1 Kasko Derby.

    Sirius Alpha was the first to oblige when winning for the Sirius Syndicate. The 4-5 favourite looked in serious trouble early after missing the kick, however, he kept battling throughout and he pulled out all the stops in the closing stages to land the spoils. A 28.63 winning run, a length and a half clear of Hand Crafted.
    In the following heat, De Bull was called in from the reserves to score for Lynch and owners the Shur Why Nots Syndicate. The 5-2 shot followed up on a recent success to make it back to back wins as he led before halfway and he finished well to beat Ballycowen Conor, by two and a half lengths in 28.55.

    IRISH DERBY CHAMPION
    Before racing, Irish Derby Champion Bockos Diamond clocked an unbelievable 16.84 for the 330-yard trip. That’s a run you would have thought was never possible and it certainly was the talk all over the country after it was posted on social media. The track record is 17:14 which was set by Quietly back in 2016. The superstar produced a 4.92 split which is another record. I think it’s fair to say that preparations are going up well for the upcoming Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby.