JACK & GODES CLAIM DERBY TICKETS

Peter Farrell

The two BOYLE Sports Irish Derby Trial Stakes served as the main attraction at Limerick on Saturday night and it was Galloping Jack and Leamaneigh Godes that booked their places in the Derby draw, landing their respective A1 550 contests by the narrow margins.

In the first of the Trial Stakes, Leamaneigh Godes (Grangeview Ten - Peters Queen) was bidding for a third successive success at Limerick and Paddy Hennessy's runner meant business with an explosive break from trap six to seize an early lead. In doing so, the 9/4 chance opened a two-length advantage down the back over the improving Montore Magic in second. Edging ever closer approaching the three-quarter mark, the latter looked the likely winner at that stage, however, Leamaneigh Godes dug deep on the demanding Limerick hill to repel the challenge and hold on by a neck. The time was a respectable 30.07.

It was the turn of Galloping Jack (Droopys Sydney - Galloping Tulip) in the second Trial Stake and, unlike Leamaneigh Godes, he left his challenge until the closing strides to get the verdict in the shadow of the post. Installed as the 6/4 favourite, the Pat Kiely-trained heavyweight, owned by Pat Creed and James Moore, broke well from trap four before being headed by Glengar Blitz in six. The latter held a two-length advantage down the back, but Galloping Jack was never too far off the pace and gradually began to turn the screw approaching the closing stages. With Rallying Syd also finishing with real purpose, a thrilling three-way finish unfolded, but 'Jack' showed tremendous determination to edge out Rallying Syd by a short head, with the clock stopping at 30.03.