‘TIME’ CLUB DERBY SHAKE-UP AS EIGHT OF TWELVE HEAT WINNERS EXIT

Peter Farrell

The second round of the TIME Club Graders Derby dominated Saturday night's card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and, while just a few greyhounds fell foul of the 28.90 stipulation in round one, it was a different story on night two, with no fewer than eight of the twelve heat winners eliminated from the competition.

Indeed, there were a series of outstanding performances across the twelve heats on offer, one more so than those produced by opening heat winners Coolanga Elite and Magical Fiona. Both trackers dipped under the 28.30 mark on the clock and, while neither will take any further part in the €20,000-to-the-winner event, connections will be delighted with the significant improvement shown.

HEAT WATCH

Heat 1 - Coolanga Elite (3/1) ran a powerful race in round one to come from off-the-pace and win in 29.08, however, she was on a different stratosphere in the curtain raiser as Michael Lowry’s charge blew holes in her rivals. A strong running individual, she donned the red jacket in this contest and broke better to sit third at the opening bend. Bettyville Pipa set the pace at this point, however, there was a certain inevitability surrounding the result as the daughter of Airmount Nando - Coolanga Lady improved into second. Now in full throttle, the handy white and brindle flew past her rival approaching the penultimate bend and quickly put four and a half lengths between herself and Bettyville Pippa crossing the line. The time was a fantastic 28.29 .20f, with Da Brake claiming third.

Eliminated - Coolanga Elite & Bettyville Pippa; promoted - Dakota Spirit & Jacktavern Jenny.

Heat 2 - The fastest time of the night came in heat two as Magical Fiona produced a sensational display to win by a wide-margin ten lengths. The Patrick Guilfoyle-trained lady also landed her opening round assignment but was to improve a full second on her display seven days’ prior. Drawn in four, the 2/1 chance showed sharp early speed to recover from a moderate start and in truth, it was lights out for her rivals thereafter. Setting a blistering gallop down the back to open an unassailable lead, the September daughter of Ballymac Cashout - Right Nicki ran to a virtual solo as she crossed the line on her lonesome, posting a blistering 28.22 .20f in the process. Second and third went the way of Au Revoir and Gortkelly Bart.

Eliminated - Magical Fiona; promoted - Zaconey Adonis.

Heat 3 - The trend of victors from the opening round continued in heat three as Leftthelightson powered to victory for owner Michael Ryan. An April 24’ brindle, the 3/1 chance again broke well from his middle berth in three and from there, he was in no mood for catching. Setting a strong pace down the far side, the heavyweight son of Deerjet Sydney - Beamingboomerang was never under threat as he extended a three length lead down the back into a five and a half length advantage crossing the line. Short Blue in second, third place went the way of Dromtrasna Lass. The time was 28.77 .20f.

Heat 4 - Trumpers Snoop was forced to settle for the bridesmaid position on night one, however, Shane Ronayne’s runner went one better in heat four, storming past his rivals at the halfway mark to score comfortably. A 4/1 chance, the son of Dorotas Wildcat - Trumpers Rachel sat third early on from third but raced to the fore midway down the back, taking over from both Cashen Darney and Hello Oppy. In doing so, ‘Snoop’ pulled clear and emerged a two and a half length winner over Ealas Pride in second, with Hello Oppy taking third. The time was 28.87 .20f.

Heat 5 - The latest casualty was to arrive in heat five as Garren Delta took his career tally to two wins for David Flanagan and the New-Gang-Syndicate. After running a big race in defeat on night one, it was a little surprising to see the 81-pounder sent to traps as a 4/1 chance and he recovered from a moderate start to fly up the inside and take charge at the opening bend. Stringing his rivals out thereafter, the son of Jacob Tashadelek - Babe proved too strong as he crossed the line five and a half lengths clear of Folkscourt Best in second. The time was 28.64 .20f as Carrigmore Hazel took third.

Eliminated - Garren Delta; promoted - Faraway Queen.

Heat 6 - While Paul Hennessy was busy claiming a third English Derby in the UK, he was also in the winner’s circle at Limerick as Jaytee Dallas won convincingly. Installed as the 7/4 favourite, John Turner’s runner was led by Bosra Bono early on, however, he challenged his rival at the second bend, before hitting the front entering the back straight. Thereafter, the son of Orchestrate - Ballyroe Elsie made light work of his rivals as he crossed the line four and a half lengths clear of Ballysloe Max in second. The winning time was 28.48 .20f with Bounceback Poppy finishing well to claim third.

Eliminated - Jaytee Dallas; promoted - Sets Inthe City.

Heat 7 - Air Hostess (1/1) remained in the competition by the skin of her teeth in round one but lightning didn’t strike twice last night as Brian Loughnane’s talented lady proved too strong, both for her rivals and the clock. Housed in trap three, ‘Hostess’ disputed on the run-up with Hollyhill Stacey, however, the daughter of Callaway Pro Am - Please Poppy soon shot to the front. In doing so, she pulled clear of her rivals down the back before crossing the line three and a half lengths clear of Imagine If in second. Third place went the way of Grangeview Vixen, in a time of 28.61 .20f.

Eliminated - Air Hostess; promoted - Ballymac Agatha.

Heat 8 - After finishing a head behind the brilliant Magical Fiona in round one, Kosovo looked the part in heat eight and the Michael Donnelly-trained dog powered to a facile victory in the end. A 5/2 market chance, Kosovo didn’t come away too fluently from trap three as Bright Mustang pinged out to dictate the pace. However, the son of Broadstrand Bono - Mysterious Lola stormed past his rival passing the sprint boxes and it was to prove a formality thereafter. Just an October pup, owned by the Only-For-The-Craic-Syndicate, Kosovo stayed on strongly to see off Orchid Champ by four lengths in a time of 28.40 .20f. Bright Mustang finishing third.

Eliminated - Kosovo & Orchid Champ; promoted - Millies Story & Thanks Aoife.

Heat 9 - Glideaway Melody was chasing her first victory in heat nine and she got off the mark impressively for Thomas O’Donoghue, albeit running herself out of contention in this event going forward. Drawn in six, the 9/4 chance was on the ball from the outset, pinging the lids to post a slick 1.22 sectional. In doing so, the daughter of Grangeview Ten - Glideaway Magic missed early traffic before opening a sizable advantage entering the back straight. Romping to a six length victory over Kerryroad Al in second, the third place went the way of Millmount Jacko, in a time of 28.61 .20f.

Eliminated - Glideaway Melody; promoted - Allstar Tory.

Heat 10 - There was an exciting finish in heat ten as the first three home were separated by just a short-head and a head. The eventual winner, Bundle Of Fivers, produced a big run in defeat in round one and was to implement similar tactics this time around, just getting the better of her rivals on this occasion. Rossa Shelby led for large parts of the contest, however, was collared in the dying strides by Pauline McNamara’s 3/1 chance. Kerryroad Pa raced prominently throughout and finished a very close third. The time was 28.88 .20f with all three safely through to the third round.

Heat 11 - Brian Robinson has travelled with success in 2026 and Eimears Lady made it back-to-back wins in the penultimate heat. Drawn in trap one, the 3/1 chance nestled in behind Ballysloe Tash early doors, however, took over at the halfway mark, powering past her rival in the process. Showing plenty of stamina for the Tyrone handler, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat - Drumcove Rozy saw off the even money favourite, Magical Grayson, late on to win by two and a half lengths, in 28.80 .20f. Musical Queen claimed the final qualifying place in third.

Heat 12 - The night ended with yet another elimination as Grangeview Rocko (6/4) powered to a second career success for Michael Hogan. A winner in 29.04 last time out, he is clearly developing into a fine tracker as despite a poor start from six, improved greatly to go second rounding the second bend. Quickly storming to the front approaching the penultimate bend, the son of Grangeview Ten - Grangeview Nifty duly claimed a three and a half length success thereafter, as he led home Kells Ruby in second. The time was 28.61 .20f with Knockroe Jersey claiming third.

Eliminated - Grangeview Rocko; promoted - Private Luna.

The draw for the third round of the TIME Club Graders Derby can be found HERE