RAMBO BEST OF ALL IN ACTION-PACKED TIME DERBY QUARTERS

Peter Farrell

The quarter-finals of the TIME Club Graders Derby served as the highlight at Limerick on Saturday night and the action certainly ramped up with Daring Rambo going quickest for Michael Meade.

With the 28.90 stipulation now in the rear-view mirror, three of the four quarter-final winner’s went considerably quicker and Daring Rambo (4/1) went best of all as the James Maguire and Michael Millar-owned charge won in last to first fashion. Running from trap five, ‘Rambo’ broke well, however, his early pace was limited and this saw him shuffled to the rear of the field early on as Maid Of Iron asserted up top. Making steady progress passing the 750-yard box, Daring Rambo ws still four lengths adrift rounding the bottom two bends, however, he upped the ante at the business end of the contest to power past his rivals and win by an extending two and a half lengths. In second was Drombeg Marley as Maid Of Iron held on gamely to seal the final qualifying position. The time was a rapid 28.64 .10f and one suspects there is much more to come from this improving September 23’ pup.

HERO BACK TO WINNING WAYS

In heat one, Robs Hero (5/2) got back to winning ways for the first time since February of this year. Trained by Paraic Campion for Osmond Bennett, ‘Hero’ broke well from his middle berth in three, however, had no answer to the early speed of Rinnwood Duke in the opening exchanges. The latter held a lead of two and a half lengths down the back as Robs Hero was now being challenged for second by Skippy Fantasy in five. That said, Campion’s charge upped the ante approaching the penultimate bend and he flew up the hill to just get the better of Rinnwood Duke on the line. A short-head between the pair, the time was 28.67 .10f. Skippy Fantasy progressed a further two and a half lengths back in third.

GOLDSTAR LEAVES IT LATE

Another greyhound to leave it late was Group Goldstar (Ballymac Wild - Group Supergem) as she too won for the first time since February. Owned by David Hanley, the fawn has settled for the minor placings in previous starts and this looked likely again as Crokers Primrose led the field into the back straight from trap one. Little to separate the duo, Group Goldstar showed her stamina abilities in the closing stages as the 4/1 chance just got the verdict by a head over Crokers Primrose on the line. Tipsy Ailbhe filled the podium in third as the clock returned 28.97 .10f.

LEO ROARS INTO SEMIS

While Rinnwood Duke was reeled in earlier in the heats, Rinnwood Leo (Pestana - Rinnwood Pearl) wasn’t to be denied in fourth quarter-final as Des Flaherty’s charge came out the right side of a photo-finish. Indeed, ‘Leo’ recovered from a tardy start in five to round the opening bend in second behind Tally Ho Flyit. At this point, the latter was really motoring for connections and looked home and hosed in terms of landing the spoils. However, Rinnwood Leo (5/2) showed super determination to produce a late surge and cross the line with a short-head to spare over ‘Flyit’ in second. In third was Harrowgatetownbaz as he produced his customary power-paced finish, just a further length back for Mike and Deborah Carrick. The time was 28.73 .10f.