PLATE AND UNDERCARD ACTION PROVIDE REAL THRILLS AT SHELBOURNE

Ian Fortune

The semi-finals of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby were clearly the highlight of Saturday’s action at Shelbourne Park but the semi-finals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Plate and the undercard action were also packed with top class performances.

In terms of the plate, the second heat was a bit special with Kildare and The Other Kobe producing a titanic tussle. Both had to show all their early dash to separate themselves from the pack into the turn but, once doing so, it was very much a two-dog affair.   

The pair entered the back straight virtually inseparable but Kildare (Droopys Sydney/ Palermo) soon moved into a narrow advantage. The Other Kobe continued to chase hard into the third turn but Kildare moved across to lead by a length.

Still, The Other Kobe wasn’t finished with. Rallying on the run in, he may have joined Kildare briefly but the latter wasn’t going to be denied and he pulled out extra in the final twenty-five yards. The buckle that lasted over half a kilometre eventually went to Kildare with the English Derby runner-up running out a half length winner for Aidan Comerford and Peter Cronin in 29.47. Bobsleigh Dream also ran a remarkable race to finish third. Out the back for much of the way after early crowding, she flew home to finish just two lengths back in third.

WELL MET MAKES MOST OF THE DRAW

Well Met was a tremendous winner of the opening semi-final.

The draw was obviously a big help to Laurence Jones’ talented son of Ballymac Best and Corduff Flame but he also had to show his many qualities to repel the challenge of the favourite Garryvoe Joe.

Well Met shot up the fence and was a very close second to Garryvoe Joe on the corner, only to force his way around in front. Garryvoe Joe pushed him hard into the third turn and was forced to check on heels at this point, leaving Well Met to emerge a comfortable scorer.

Well Met took the honours by a two lengths in 29.59 with Garryvoe Joe running a big race in second. Ballymac Ben finished with a flourish to finish just a neck away in third.    

Undercard

OZARK LEAVES SCORCH MARKS ON THE SAND

Keeley McGee would have been floating around Shelbourne Park already after the heroics of Maries Wedding in qualifying for the Derby decider but she would also have been exceptionally pleased by the brilliant display of her Irish Sprint Cup champion Hawkfield Ozark in the penultimate race.

Not only did the brilliant son of Laughil Blake and Brownstown Tango dominate to record a fastest of the night 28.11, but he also posted the fastest third bend sectional ever recorded at Shelbourne Park over 525yds when stopping the clock in 15.66.

Jerry Connor’s star made an electrifying start from trap four posting an incredible 1.93 sectional to open a clear advantage before the corner and he was never under threat thereafter. Despite tiring in the closing stages, Hawkfield Ozark emerged a comfortable and mighty impressive three length winner over the staying on Clogheen Lass.  

CRYSTAL SPARKLES IN FINALE

Racing ended with Bockos Crystal justifying red-hot favouritism over the 550yd trip.

One of three winners on the night for Graham Holland, she made light work of her task. Although not the fastest into stride, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Vigorous Hilary soon shot to the front rom a favourable draw on the fence.

Droopys Gravy turned on her heels but couldn’t land a glove. Urban View later took up the chase but Bockos Crystal was relentless. Staying on really strongly, the brindle starlet emerged a very easy three length winner over Urban View in 29.48.

HANZO ANOTHER STAR FOR ENGLISH DERBY DUO

After claiming the English Derby with Romeo Magico earlier in the year, David Firmager and Graham Holland will surely be targeting Juvenile Derby success with Romeo Hanzo following a superb victory in the tenth race.

The April ’21 whelp was having just his fourth start but he displayed real dash to race clear of his rivals in the early yards before containing the late charge of A Lucky Gift in a tight finish. Romeo Hanzo, a son of Romeo Recruit and Fabulous Mila, flew to the bend but was all out to contain the huge finish of A Lucky Gift. He did so, however, by a neck in 28.18. The pair could meet again in the coming weeks.

A GAY TIME FOR NEMO

Graham Holland initiated his treble in the opener with Gaytime Nemo opening his account at the fourth time of asking despite taking a hefty bump at boxes.

Hawkfield Mia set the pace from the corner despite also find early traffic but was unable to contain Droopys Battery into the third turn.

At this point Droopys Battery eased on to the fence, allowing room on the outside for the advancing Gaytime Nemo to strike the front. Once doing so, Brendan O’Connell’s promising son of Droopys Sydney and Gaytime Derval eased on to score by an ever-increasing four lengths from a staying on Gymcrack in 28.68.

LOCHRANZA TOO SHARP FOR RIVALS

One of the most professional displays on the card came from Lochranza as he shot from traps and cut for the fence to make every inch in the seventh race.

Both Decs Guinness and the hot favourite Droopys Edison did all they could to bridge the gap but neither could get to the pace-setter.

Trained by Hall of Fame trainer Francie Murray for his great patron Howard Wallace, the son of Top Honcho and Leezie Lindsay kept the door closed for his rivals and staying on with real purpose he emerged a thoroughly deserving three length scorer over Decs Guinness in a brilliant 28.16.

LINDA OPENS ACCOUNT IN REAL STYLE

Crossfield Linda, owned by Brendan O’Shea and Richard Taberner, looked a real prospect in the second race when seeing off some more experienced rivals with a professional trap to line victory in a rapid 28.21.

The Pat Kiely trained daughter of Droopys Jet and Crossfield Kate was electric at boxes and held a near length lead into the turn from Ballymac Snazzy. The pair Had a great buckle down the back straight with Crossfield Linda always doing enough to maintain her lead and it was actually Crafty Jayko that came through to finish second. Crossfield Linda wasn’t for catching, however.

The January ’20 whelp, who was having just her third career start, opened her account with a tremendous two length victory. There was a short head between Crafty Jayko and Ballymac Snazzy on the line. 

IRELANDS FINISHES ON HIS OWN

Irelands Own was a good winner of the ninth race, named in honour of two great stalwarts of Shelbourne Park, Razldazl Peaky and Razldazl Monarch.

Irelands Own was very much the cherry on top for Murt Leahy, who had earlier seen his brilliant bitch Droopys Nice One qualify for the Derby decider.

Showing fine early dash, Irelands Own, who is owned by the McLean Avenue Syndicate, just cleared the corner, avoiding a first bend scrimmage in the process. It proved to be decisive as he was never under any pressure thereafter. Coolboy Rusty emerged in second and did close to the third turn but the leader kept going right to the line to win by three lengths in 28.49.

MELODY ON TUNE

Michael Corr’s Meenagh Melody made the most of her early speed to lead from the corner in the eighth race over 550yds.

The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Boherna Abbie didn’t get everything her own way in the early stages but flew into the turn to forced her way up the inside of Knight Honcho and Victor Maximus.

Once gong to the front, Meenagh Melody always seemed to have the measure of those in behind. Still two and a half length clear between the last two bends, she coasted home to take the verdict by three lengths rom Knight Honcho in 29.86.