SENSATIONAL TRACK RECORD PERFORMANCE FROM DALEROAD DUKE

Barry Drake

DALEROAD DUKE delivered a sensational track record-winning performance in the opening round of the Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby at Tralee on Friday night.

Trained by Patrick Guilfoyle for owner Thomas O'Keeffe, the 5-4 second choice of punters came away well and he displayed plenty of early pace to take full control before the opening corners. Favourite Ballymac Finn could never get on terms and it was clear that Daleroad Duke was on for a special performance up front. Showing all sorts of pace, it went down as a very special display, clocking a magical 27.92 and coming home three and a half lengths clear of Balymac Finn. The previous record Ballinabola Ed and Tullig Raven - 28.03.

In the following heat, Superfast Gorden was another to catch the eye when winning for trainer Pat Buckley and owners Eamonn Doyle and Mark Hatton. The December puppy showed a huge injection of speed on the back straight to pull away from Ballymac Marino and Cashen Miska and it really was a top class performance from the exciting youngster. Staying on powerfully, the 5-2 shot beat hot favourite Ballymac Marino, by three lengths, in 28.18.

Pat Buckley also took the opening heat as Bobsleigh Syd scored for the Off-The-Radar Syndicate. The 7-2 shot had overcame a bump at the opening corner to land the spoils, in 28.69. Ballymac Walt an unlucky loser in second, just half a length back.

Not the quickest away, Ballymac Seanie flew down the back straight to hit the front and Liam Dowling's 10-1 outsider stuck to his task well in the closing stages to land the spoils in the final heat. De Lahdedah showed plenty of pace after a luckless passage early on and he chased his kennel mate home. A 28.55 winning run, with three and a half lengths between the front two.