DUKE AND MARINO SHINE FOR IRISH AT TOWCESTER
Ian Fortune
Graham Holland kept his foot on the accelerator on Friday night as he continued his incredible start to the Star Sports/ TRC English Derby with his brilliant Juvenile Derby and Select Stakes winner Clona Duke posting a new track record in a facile success in Heat 12.
He would later complete a superb double with Gaytime Nemo.
Liam Dowling also had reason to smile as all three of his representatives progressed, including the Juvenile Classic winner Ballymac Marino who emerged a wide margin winner in a superb time.
BRILLIANT DUKE SMASHES CLOCK
Clona Duke was simply imperious in the second of the night’s heats.
Making a flying start from trap one, the brilliant son of Malachi moved off the fence but was always in complete command.
Ballymac Bronze turned second for Liam Dowling and gave chase throughout but Clona Duke was in a different league to anything else on the night as he saw off his compatriot by four lengths in a stunning 28.73, taking some three spots off the record previously held by his kennelmate Swords Rex.
BELLA GOES CLOSE
There was a long gap until the next Irish runners were in action in Heat 19.
Incredibly, Jacktavern Bella became the first Graham Holland trained runner to suffer defeat in this year’s Derby but she did run a huge race to fail by only the narrowest of margins behind Thunder Black.
Sadly, Barefoot Supremo, despite running on at speed, failed to qualify in fourth, less than a length behind the winner. Thunder Black led throughout to hold Jacktavern Bella in a tremendous finish by a short head in 29.04.
MARINO TAKES OFF
It was back to winning ways for the Irish in Heat 20 as Ballymac Marino produced a statement type display to see off his kennel companion Ballymac Johnjo.
Liam Dowling’s Juvenile Classic winner broke smartly, paced up in front and built a decisive lead to halfway. He eventually cruised home with over nine lengths in hand on Ballymac Johnjo in a near record 28.76.
NEMO COMPLETES HOLLAND DOUBLE
There was plenty of reason for the Irish to be happy in the final heat as they filled the first three places with Gaytime Nemo leading home his compatriots Boylesports Gift and Sogna In Grande.
Gaytime Nemo was the 11-10 favourite and he duly obliged in style, handing Graham Holland an incredible sixth winner of the opening round. The talented son of Droopy Sydney and Gaytime Derval led Boylesports Gift and Sogna In Grande throughout to win by two and three quarters of a length and two and a half lengths in 28.95.
NO LUCK FOR MONTANA
While Sogna In Grande progressed for young Jack Kennelly, he was out of luck with Sporting Montana in the first of the evening’s heats.
He wasn’t helped by circumstance as the traps failed to open first time and when they were reloaded, he completely missed the kick. He eventually finished at the tail of the field.