INCREDIBLE START TO DERBY AS DIAMOND AND PAT SHINE
Ian Fortune
The start of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby may have been much later this year but the extra weeks and months of waiting suddenly seemed worthwhile at Shelbourne Park on Friday night as the best greyhounds on the planet put on a clinic.
There were so many brilliant displays in the first thirteen opening round heats but Graham Holland was determined to take the headlines, sending out three brilliant winners including the sensational Bockos Diamond and Bombay Pat.
The talk after racing was, who was the more impressive? It’s hard to say as both displayed the sort of early speed and back straight pace that would leave enthusiasts drooling. In terms of the clock, Bockos Diamond was faster but Bombay Pat was later on the card in slightly worse conditions. The one thing to take out of both their displays is, it’s going to need something special to beat one or both in the coming weeks.
A heat by heat guide to Friday’s opening round action.
Heat 1 – DICE ROLLS OVER RIVALS
Favourite backers made a terrible start to the Derby with odds-on market leader Coosane Pickles finishing only fourth after finding early traffic.
In contrast, those that took a chance with Breaghmore Dice at much bigger odds were in clover as he made every inch for MJ Corrigan, holding the persistent challenge of De Foxy Devil in the process.
Breaghmore Dice has some superb Shelbourne Park form in the past so it was something of a shock to see him returned at 14-1. Breaking fastest from trap two, he comfortably led his rivals into the turn but had to stay tuned in throughout with De Foxy Devil pressing. Breaghmore Dice had no intention of letting his advantage slip, however, with the son of Ballymac cashout and Ballymac Cams coming home two lengths clear of De Foxy Devil in 29.77 with Fairy Footsteps another two lengths adrift in third. Coosane Pickles, despite running on well, could only finish fourth.
Heat 2 – DIAMOND SENDS OUT A CLEAR WARNING TO DERBY RIVALS
Bockos Diamond is the hottest Derby favourite since Clares Rocket in 2017 and it is easy to see why.
The stunningly fast son of Dorotas Wildcat and Seaglass Shadow was simply sensational in the second heat as he posted a brilliant 29.23 in what could only be described as a demolition of his rivals.
A long odds-on favourite after a tardy start, he displayed the most incredible early speed to clear his rivals comfortably. With daylight on Hawkfield Abbie into the back straight, he stretched right away to put the result beyond any doubt. Clocking a magical 16.85 to the third turn, he was sending out the loudest and clearest of warnings to potential Derby hopefuls.
This was simply incredible from the Graham Holland trained star. His owners, the Remember Then Syndicate, would have been delighted to watch their superstar coast home to the most impressive victory, crossing the line six lengths to the good. Hawkfield Abbie ran a fine race in second but just had no chance with the winner, while third went to Beanos Podge a further half length back. On this evidence, Bockos Diamond is fully deserving of his lofty perch in the betting. He really is something very special.
Heat 3 – WARRIOR TOO SHARP FOR RIVALS
Kapuka Warrior followed in the footsteps of the two previous heat winners by dictating throughout for a comfortable success for owner Matt Dunne and handler Karol Ramsbottom.
Indeed, the son of Good News and Cruel Intentions was always in complete command after a flying start from the inside box.
Clona Stand managed to turn second and did threaten briefly passing halfway but Kapuka Warrior clearly had his measure. Maireads Prince missed the start but moved third on the third turn before staying on well to grab second in the closing yards but Kapuka Warrior was gone. The February ’21 whelp emerged a straightforward and impressive winner by six lengths in 29.55. Clona Stand would finish another three parts away in third.
Heat 4 – AWESOME ALDO
Carrick Aldo has long been a class act, albeit over shorter trips than the 550yds but he took the step up in distance in his stride in Heat 4.
In fact, he relished the extra yards into the bend to see off a talented field with little fuss.
Cheque For Cash also ran a big race in second but he could never land a glove on the leader. Trained by David Murray for Thomas Glynn, Carrick Aldo displayed his brilliant early speed after a slick exit to charge to the front well before the turn.
Cheque For cash was his only rival, turning second. That was how they would finish with Carrick Aldo going on to beat his rival by four lengths in a very satisfactory 29.42. Cheque For Cash had eight lengths on the third place finisher, Daleroad Devon.
Heat 5 – BEACH WINS A THRILLER
Seven Beach had to win Heat 5 twice, first getting the better of Droopys Metaphor after a speed battle before then having to dig deep to contain a flying finish from the Oaks champion A Lucky Julie.
This was a tremendous contest but, ultimately, Seven Beach emerged a good winner for the Beach Boys Trio Syndicate despite the need for the judge to separate them on the line.
Flashing from six, Seven Beach held a narrow advantage into the turn when he was challenged by Droopys Metaphor. The latter ran a tighter line to move upsides but Seven Beach was soon in front. Showing superb back straight pace, the Jennifer O’Donnell trained son of Pestana and Whitings Gift moved on into the third turn.
By this point, A Lucky Julie was starting to catch the eye. Showing massive dash, she moved second before setting her sights on the pace-setter. In a tremendous finish, Seven Beach had to pull out all the stops to hold A Lucky Julie by a short head in 29.50. Droopys Metaphor would finish another two and a half lengths adrift in third.
Heat 6 – CRAZE TOO GOOD
Jaytee Craze produced one of the best starts of his career to run out a fine winner of Heat 6 despite taking a bump on the turn.
The Paul Hennessy trained son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Minton flashed from three to lead into the turn where Rushy Meadows challenged on his inner.
The pair clashed at this point but it cost them little momentum. Rushy Meadows was briefly upsides but Jaytee Craze ran a superb second bend to shoot to the front. As his challenger looked to edge off the fence, she was forced to check her stride, leaving Jaytee Craze in control.
The loss of momentum would cost Rushy Meadows second spot as Dark Dilemma moved forward to chase the leader but there was no stopping Jaytee Craze. In what was his first start in over a month, John Turner and Lee Craze’s powerful galloper stayed on to secure a four length verdict in 29.63. Dark Dilemma was second with Rushy Meadows holding on for third, a further two lengths back.
Heat 7 – DYNAMIC FORCES HIS WAY TO THE FRONT
Dynamic Force carried his superb Cork form into the Derby with a fine victory in Heat 7, completing a quick double for Paul Hennessy in the process.
Up Front Magic came in as a reserve into six and shot from traps to hold a narrow advantage into the turn but he was pressed by both Dynamic Force and Whyaye Bonnylad.
Things got quite tight on the bend but Dynamic Force has a habit of negotiating such scenarios with little fuss and that was again the case. Charging between his two rivals, he asserted as they entered the back straight.
Up Front Magic may have been a big price but he ran a huge race, moving second again as they straightened up and chasing Dynamic Force to the line. Dynamic Force was to make a winning return to Shelbourne, however. Maintaining a good gallop to the finish, he would eventually see off Up Front Magic by two and a half lengths in 29.67. Whyaye Bonnylad progressed in third, some three lengths further adrift.
Heat 8 – SAPPHIRE DIGS DEEP TO WIN TIGHT AFFAIR
The most competitive race on the card was Heat 8 where Magical Sapphire would eventually see off the luckless duo of Superfast Gorden and Undulation.
Tinahue Pappone took them along in this contest, taking over on the corner from Highview Splash.
Magical Sapphire also went up well, going second between the opening two bends. The race began to take shape as they hit halfway. Tinahue Pappone was under pressure from Magical Sapphire with Superfast Gorden and Undulation next.
Magical Sapphire joined the leader on the third turn but was held up slightly as she attempted to drive clear. Meanwhile Superfast Gorden was right on their heels and advancing, while Undulation was also in full stride.
Turning for home it was anyone’s race. Tinahue Pappone, Magical Sapphire, Superfast Gorden and Undulation were all there with a chance but Magical Sapphire finally got loose. As Superfast Goren and Undulation struggled to find a seam, Magical Sapphire began to pick up pace.
Staying on strongly, Pat Guilfoyle’s daughter of Grangeview Ten and Grangeview Mags eased on to win by a length and a half from Superfast Gorden in 29.91. Undulation was just a half length back in third. This is one of those contests where you can ignore the clock. The first three home all displayed fine pace and determination and they will go faster in the coming weeks.
Heat 9 – DANICA IN POLE POSITION
Ballymac Danica justified favouritism in Heat 9 as she continued her journey back to her brilliant early season best.
Liam Dowling’s brilliant daughter of Ballymac Cooper and Ballymac Arminta was too sharp for her rivals, taking charge early before making every inch.
Her task was made somewhat easier on the turn with her two nearest market rivals clashing as Innfield Destiny ran off the bend to broadside Robbies Galaxy. Instead, Farney Chime took up the chase but it was futile. Ballymac Danica would emerge a comfortable five and a half length scorer in 29.82. Farney Chime was second with Robbies Galaxy running a remarkable race to grab third in the closing yards, a further three lengths back.
Heat 10 – DOWN MEANS BUSINESS
Down To Business has been quite a servant for Bernadetta Connolly, Darragh Kelly and Sharon Mulcahy and he again did them proud in Heat 10 where he was at his professional best.
Showing fine speed from five, he was quickly in the driving seat.
Droopys Carbin chased him down the back straight but Down To Business has good form over even further and he ran right to the line. The son of Pestana and Newinn Madam kept on finding out front to eventually see off the staying on Glitzy Magic and Droopys Carbine.
There was a stride or two off the final turn when Glitzy Magic looked a big threat but Down To Business lived up to his name to see off that rival by two lengths with Droopy Carbine the same distance away in third.
Heat 11 – MAASAI IN A HURRY
Tarsna Maasai confirmed his standing as one of the most progressive greyhound in training with a superb trap to line success in Heat 11.
Geoff Parnaby’s son of Droopys Sydney and Tarsna Rose loves Shelbourne Park, while the 550yd trip really plays to his strengths.
The July ’22 whelp certainly meant business on this occasion, flashing from the outside box to record a 3.33 sectional. In contrast, the favourite Callaway Knegare was slowly into stride and was always struggling to land a blow thereafter.
Tarsna Maasai comfortably led his rivals into the turn. Bubbly Shadow displayed fine pace to enter the back straight in second but he was never going to get to the leader. Tarsna Maasai would go on to secure a deserving four lengths victory in 29.52. Bubbly Shadow was a good second with Callaway Knegare finishing fast to grab third on the line, just a length back.
Heat 12 – DUKE BACK WITH A BANG
Kevin O’Brien’s Clona Duke has long been amongst the best in training but he hadn’t been seen on a track since running up the Easter Cup back in April.
It was for that reason he was sent to traps a 5-1 chance in Heat 12 only to prove that class is permanent.
Da Bold Falcon was the hot favourite from a kind draw on the fence but was left floundering to the turn with Clona Duke going up fastest ahead of star names like Ballymac Finn and High Trend, while Thats It Jack and Esmonde Swift were also in the mix for second and third.
None could live with the Graham Holland trained Clona Duke, however. The 2022 Juvenile Derby champion was electric into the bend, eventually turning with two lengths in hand. By the second turn he was five clear as his rivals bumped and still he pressed on.
At halfway he found himself in an unassailable lead. Ballymac Finn and High Trend battled it out for second in behind but Clona Duke was never going to be picked up. Despit tiring a little in the latter stages which was perhaps predictable, he emerged a comfortable winner in 29.66. Da Bold Falcon came with a withering run to grab second, albeit it three lengths behind Clona Duka, while Thats It Jack was to grab third, staying on to finish a further four and a half lengths adrift.
Heat 13 – BOMBAY LAYS DOWN A MARKER
It seemed inevitable that Bockos Diamond would grab all the headlines but Bombay Pat got folks talking about who was even the most impressive winner on the card.
His display in Heat 13 was absolutely incredible as he completed a magical treble for Graham Holland.
The pace and power the son of Pestana and Clear Mountain displayed into the turn will live long in the memory. Eventually sent to traps the 1-2 favourite, Bombay Pat missed the kick to give his fleet of supporters a scare but it was short-lived. Once touching the sand, he quickly engaged the afterburners.
Charging up the outside of the track, he made his rivals look as though they were racing in quicksand. Still behind at the winning line first time up, he flew into the turn to go three lengths clear.
There was some scrimmaging in behind but it scarcely mattered to Bombay Pat. Owned by Pat Muldoon and Bayliss Gee, the incredible tracker moved into a near eight length lead by the third turn before coasting home to emerge a brilliant winner. Carmac King did little wrong in defeat, staying on to finish five and a half lengths back in second with a further two length margin to Ower Cracker in third. On this sort of form, Bombay Pat is a serious Derby contender and his odds of glory on November 23rd are certain to be slashed in the coming hours.