PIVOTAL AND ROCKO CLAIM IRISH DERBY TICKETS AT LIFFORD

Peter Farrell

Lifford played host to a ten race card on Saturday night and the feature events were the two BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby Trial Stakes and these were claimed in brilliant fashion by both Pivotal Time and Rough Rocko.

With a first prize of €600 and a golden ticket into Irish Greyhound racings flagship event next month, it wasn’t surprising to see some top trackers amongst the entries for the Trial Stakes, however, both proved one-way traffic as Pivotal Time and Rough Rocko took charge from the outset.

After returning to form in spectacular fashion one-week prior, Pivotal Time was the first to book her ticket with a make-all victory for Kelmore McConaghie. A winner of a valuable Tri-Distance at Lifford in May of this year, the daughter of Broadstand Bono and Pro Melody bounced back to winning ways in 28.85 one-week prior and as a result, was installed as the 6/4 favourite to make it back-to-back wins. Donning her favoured red jacket, it didn’t take long for her to assert as she disputed early on with Cloneden Flash in five, before outpacing her rival on the approach to the opening bend. From here, there was no doubt surrounding the result as she burned off her rivals down the back to emerge a facile, six and three parts of a length winner over All Electric in second. The time was a rapid 30.05.

Not to be outdone, Rough Rocko went one better than his second place finish last time out at Drumbo Park.

Owned by John McQuillan, the ability of Rough Rocko was never in question but his inconsistency at traps was a concern and this was reflected in the market when chalked up an easy-to-bet 7/2 chance. However, any doubts were put to bed early doors as he pinged out of trap four on this occasion to record a slick 3.93 opening sectional. In doing so, the son of Good News and Bubbly Rose held all the aces entering the back straight and as a notable stout stayer, there was never any danger of him being reeled in thereafter. Maintained a strong gallop around the bottom two bends, Own And More was running the race of his life in second, however, it was all in vain as Rough Rocko crossed the line with two and a quarter lengths to spare over his eye-catching rival. The time was another fast 30.10.