TIME CLUB GRADERS DERBY OFF AND RUNNING

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the TIME Club A4 Graders Derby got underway at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and there were some superb performances throughout the eight heats on offer.

Unfortunately, such as the stipulation where you are not permitted to break the 28.90 barrier in the first two rounds, several of the heat winners will not be able to take their place in the second round, however, there was enough evidence elsewhere to suggest that the €20,000 to the winner event will again prove hugely competitive.

Indeed, the action came thick and fast on the night and the mantle of fastest of the Friday heats was shared by two runners in the shape of Spark Of Magic and Drombeg Jet, who both posted a flying 28.56 (.10f). While both runners will be unable to proceed in the competition, it’s clear that they have bright futures as they both occupy puppy status and expect to hear more from the duo going forward.

Heat 1 - Spark Of Magic was understandably installed as the 4/6 favourite in this contest having arrived with some solid displays around Galway. Drawn in red, it didn’t take long for Pat Guilfoyle’s charge to assert as he quickly stormed up the inside to recover from a moderate start. Holding a commanding lead down the back, both Toomevara  Flash and Drombeg Marley battled it out for the minor places and it was the former that got the upper hand, finishing five and a half lengths behind Spark Of Magic.

Eliminated - Spark Of Magic

Heat 2 - Owned by Maria Browne, Burnpark Class (5/2) arrived with a fine 29.33 winning display around the tough Galway circuit and she continued her purple patch with a really telling win from off-the-pace in heat two. Donning the blue jacket, the daughter of Grangeview Ten - Burnpark Willow was left at traps early doors, however, tracked well to improve into fourth entering the back. Showing big back-straight pace at this point, the strapping fawn immediately challenged Ibba Nayr out in front and powered up the Limerick hill to cross the line with one length in hand. It was a further four and a half lengths back to Derra Bear in third. The time was 29.11 (.10f).

Heat 3 - Without a win in six previous outings, Hollyhill Max was bidding to get back to winning ways in heat three and he did so in emphatic fashion for Gerard Gubbins and Paraic Campion. The 2/1 joint favourite at the outset, he made his intentions clear from an early stage as he pinged out of trap four to lead. In doing so, it was quickly all one-way traffic for Campion’s charge as he ran to a virtual solo, before crossing the line eight lengths clear of Laughil Pippa in second, with Caislean Champ a further six and a half lengths back in third. The time was 28.72 (.10f).

Eliminated - Hollyhill Max

Heat 4 - Hello Oppy broke best of all from his inside berth in one in heat four, however, he ran off the opening bend, in turn allowing both Tally Ho Flyit and Tyrap Robin (3/1) up his inside. As a result, the former set a smart gallop for the majority of this contest, however, had no answer to the superior stamina of Tyrap Robin (Ballyhimikin Jet - Tiermana Jetty) in the closing stages of the contest. Crossing the line one length clear of Tally Ho Flyit, it was a further one length back to the fast-finishing Avongate Sturdy in third. The time was 29.12 (.10f).

Heat 5 - As mentioned, Drombeg Jet turned this heat into a procession victory for Evan McAuliffe as he bolted from trap three to make every yard of the running. In behind the runaway winner was Kilduff Pippa, who ran a brilliant race in her own right for Patrick Maher to finish six lengths adrift, while Hellroad Sleeper was just one and a half lengths further back in third.

Eliminated - Drombeg Jet

Heat 6 - Yet another heat winner to bite the dust as far as advancing in this competition was Whizzing Daisy in heat six. The 9/4 joint favourite in the contest, Adam Hogg’s bitch walked from traps, however, showed rapid improvement on the run-up to sit second entering the back straight. Quickly breezing to the front, ‘Daisy’ proved a class above her rivals in emerging a three and a half length winner over Spruce Ranger in second. It was a further two lengths back to Chiltern Peacock in third. The time was 28.59 (.10f).

Eliminated - Whizzing Daisy

Heat 7 - Taylormade Scala looked home and hosed in heat seven as she built up a healthy lead after a lightning start from trap three. However, the trip proved a bridge too far on this occasion as Fast Fit Patch mowed down the leader after sitting second for the majority of the contest. Owned by John Quinn, the 5/2 chance made his move turning for home and the son of Jacob Tashadelek - Fast Fit Rossy quickly put four lengths between himself and the equally strong finishing Zaconey Lyla in second. Houland was a further one length back in third as the clock returned 28.86 (.10f).

Heat 8 - In the concluding heat on Friday night, Kilcolgan John sealed a maiden victory for Karen Geoghegan and Neilus O’Connell. The son of Ballymac Cashout was a 3/1 chance at the outset and he showed a lovely turn of early speed from trap one to race up the inside and sit second. Still three lengths adrift of Private Return at this point, ‘John’ upped the ante around the bottom two bends before scraping the paintwork to motor to one and a half length victory. Private Return and Group Goldstar taking home the minor placings, the time was 28.97 (.10f).

REMINDER THAT THE CONCLUDING FIRST ROUND HEATS OF THE TIME CLUB A4 GRADERS DERBY FEATURE TONIGHT AT LIMERICK GREYHOUND STADIUM