MARATHON ‘TIME’ CLUB DERBY OPENING ROUND CONCLUDES
Peter Farrell
The remaining eight first round heats of the TIME Club Graders Derby featured on Saturday night’s card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and there were some excellent performances to complement Friday night’s action.
On the night, it was Flyers Minnie that went quickest as she clocked a rapid 28.62 (.10f), however, that ensured she will not take her place in the second round due to the 28.90 stipulation. Of those that can advance, it was First Light that was paw-perfect for Adam Dunford in heat thirteen.
Heat 9 - John McGee was represented by Deelish Sully in the opening heat of the night and he made it back-to-back wins after sealing victory at Drumbo Park last time out. Running from five, the 5/2 chance was only moderately into stride, however, made big progress around the opener to assert entering the back straight. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Bolger - Crafty Jayko set a smart gallop to emerge a two and a half length winner over Creevy Chief in second. Boderan Tiger a further one length back in third, the time was 29.18 (.10f).
Heat 10 - The first elimination of the night came in heat ten as Phoenix Diva romped to victory for Billy Reilly. A well-supported charge arriving from Mullingar, the 6/4 jolly was headed by Bubu early on, however, stormed clear passing the sprint boxes to immediately create daylight. Harrowgatetownbaz produced his customary big finish to come through for second but he was four lengths adrift crossing the line as ‘Diva’ ran out a hugely impressive winner. In third was Bandit Sailor and the time was a brisk 28.63 (.10f).
Eliminated - Phoenix Diva
Heat 11 - Rinnwood Leo arrived with some solid Galway form and he made it fourteen career wins for Des Flaherty in heat eleven. Installed at odds of 9/4, the son of Pestana and Rinnwood Pearl pinged out of trap four to lead and in doing so, put himself into a commanding position with a lovely turn of early speed. Setting a smart gallop throughout, Flaherty’s charge emerged a one length winner over Drombeg Wild in second, with Southwood Porter claiming third. The time was 29.07 (.10f).
Heat 12 - Trained by Vincent McKenna for the I-Lost-My-Dog-Syndicate, Hinomite landed heat twelve in comfortable fashion as his early pace saw won the day in the early yards. It was Sunnybank Mia that briefly headed McKenna’s charge, however, he swooped the opening bend to take a five length lead into the back. Thereafter, the son of Ballymac Best - Airfield Biddy, a 2/1 chance, was never under pressure as he emerged a four and a half length winner over Daring Rambo in second. Cavies Jet was a further three parts of a length back in third and the time was 29.10 (.10f).
Heat 13 - First Light got back to winning ways for Adam Dunford, Jimmy Flynn and Noel Ryan in heat thirteen. Installed at odds of 2/1, the daughter of Confident Rankin and Droopys Matilda made every post a winner in this contest as she broke well from two before just holding off Tipsy Ailbhe by a head in 28.83 (.10f). Ballyea Buck claimed third a further two lengths back.
Heat 14 - Two runners bit the dust in this contest as Flyers Minnie (Ballyhimikin Jet - Liosgarbh Lila) and Cars Dream broke the 28.90 barrier. The former broke best of all from trap three to lead for Colm Fitzgerald and the Zero-Zero-Syndicate and she showed brilliant determination to hold off the persistent challenge of the equally impressive Cars Dream in second. There was just one and a half lengths between the pair crossing the line as the clock stopped in 28.62 (.10f). Lemon Paris was a further six lengths back in third.
Eliminated - Flyers Minnie & Cars Dream
Heat 15 - The Stephen Murray-trained Crokers Primrose arrived with a fine record and she made it seven career wins in heat fifteen. Sent to traps as a 3/1 chance, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat and Crokers Ruby was spring-like from trap three and she took a two length lead into the back from Gortkelly Love in second. The latter kept the leader honest throughout without really threatening to take charge and, as a result, Crokers Primrose crossed the line one and a half lengths clear. Third place went the way of Oakvale Buck, in a time of 28.85 .10f.
Heat 16 -The concluding heat on the night was claimed by Deelish Top Boy as he ensured John McGee left with a double of heat winners on the night. Installed as the 11/10 favourite, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Crafty Jayko, a litter brother to the previous winner, paced up well from trap one to take a commanding lead into the back. In doing so, ‘Top Boy’ proved a class above his rivals in emerging a two and a half length winner over Rinnwood Duke in second. The time was 28.88 (.10f) with Snazzy Shelby claiming third.
*****
LAURA PICKS THE PERFECT NIGHT
Elsewhere on the card, the final of the Limerick & Clare GOBA A4 525 boasted a €1,500 first prize and this was claimed by Lauras Pick, who upset the apple cart at odds of 4/1.
Jointly owned by Michael and Laura Nash, Lauras Pick really put this contest to bed at traprise as she pinged out of trap two to excel brilliantly on the run to the opening bend. Followed in second by the favourite, Missouri Ebony, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout - Pennys Baccata possessed a two length lead over her rival down the back and she pressed home her advantage to cross the line and seal a three length victory over Missouri Ebony in second. The time was a fast 28.61 (.10f).
BRILLIANCE FROM BEN
There was a spectacular performance in the concluding contest on the card as Highview Ben produced a career best effort for Paraic Campion and the V-H-R Syndicate.
Chasing double figures in terms of career victories, Highview Ben was bullet-like at traps as the 2/1 chance flew from four to lead his rivals a merry dance into the opening bend. Thereafter, the son of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Ivy tracked expertly as he set a phenomenal gallop to come home one and a half lengths clear over the staying-on Magical On Fire in second. The time was a sizzling 28.14 (.10f).