MAGICO AND GIFT WIN FOR IRELAND
Ian Fortune
There was mixed luck for the Irish as the second round of the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby got underway at a very pleasant Towcester on Friday evening.
The standout star for the Irish was the defending champion Romeo Magico as displayed all his pace and determination to overcome early traffic to reel in his compatriot Undulation in Heat 7.
Sadly, there was less luck for three of the ten Irish representatives with Ballymac Walt, Ballymac Johnjo and Cryptopunk all making their exit after carrying little luck in their respective heats.
MAGIC FROM DEFENDING CHAMP
Romeo Magico was the bright spot, however.
Despite making a moderate start and finding himself the meat in the sandwich in the opening yards, he burst through to turn second to the Brendan Matthews Undulation.
With the latter steering a middle path, Romeo Magico was afforded room to show his stunning back straight pace and he took over into the third turn. From there, the Graham Holland trained superstar was always travelling like a winner and he went on to see off the rallying Undulation by a length in a fastest of the night 28.97.
BOYLESPORTS GIFTS HIMSELF AN EARLY LEAD
It wasn’t Ireland’s only winner as Boylesports Gift produced a foot-perfect display to win the final heat of the night.
Making a slick exit from the inside box, he soon took charge at the head of affairs and was never under any serious pressure.
The Paul Hennessy trained son of Ballyhimkin Jet went on to see off Signet Otis by five lengths in 29.11.
FINE EFFORT FROM AS I SAY
As I Say was the first Irish trained runner in action in the opening heat.
The young son of Broadstrand Bono missed the start and was never a threat to Signet Goofy but did run a huge race to come through to finish a relatively close second.
It was quite an achievement for the Brendan Matthews trained blue to finish less than three lengths behind the 13-8 favourite, who stopped the clock in 29.19.
BIG RUN FROM KHALIFA AS BRIONZE ALSO PROGRESSES
Brendan Matthews also got a great tune out of Burj Khalifa in Heat 4 as he made much of the running only to be collared on the run in by Romeo Command.
At the line, the duo were separated by just a length in 29.05. Ballymac Bronze also qualified for Ireland in this contest. Liam Dowling’s charge was well off the place in the early stages but ran on strongly to take third, a further three lengths adrift.
HANZO COLLARED LATE
After impressing in the opening round, Romeo Hanzo seemed set to follow up in Heat 6 when left in front on the bend but Brinkleys Magic had other ideas.
Romeo Hanzo had to overcome a bump to lead around but he couldn’t contain his strong running rival.
Brinkleys Magic stormed home to lead on the run in. The verdict was officially given as a short head in 29.30 although it did look closer to a neck. Sadly, Ballymac Walt was never a factor in this contest after making a slow exit and being forced very wide on the bend. He would finish last.
NO LUCK FOR PUNK AND JOHNJO
Cryptopunk and Ballymac Johnjo made their exit in Heat 5.
The latter made an uncharacteristic fast start and it led to him finding traffic on the turn as Cryptopunk was forced wide, bumping into his compatriot. Neither could recover and they finished fourth and fifth behind Hurry Up Jordan.