DERBY SPRINGS TO LIFE

Ian Fortune

The third round of the Boylesports Derby provided the most exceptional racing at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night with so many brilliant displays, a number of shocks and plenty to think about ahead of next weekend’s quarter finals.

The night began with a bang as Bobsleigh Dream produced a massive run but the headlines went to De Lahdedah, who again sent out a clear warning that he is a serious Derby contender with a sensational 29.15 victory.

On top of that, the hot favourite for outright honours Coolavanny Hoffa suffered a long-odds on defeat, giving hope to those that made it through to the final twenty-four.

Heat 1 – DREAM RUN FROM BOBSLEIGH

Bobsleigh Dream is already a dual classic winner for Pat Buckley and Willie Joe Murphy but she clearly has her sights set on a third success if her display in the opening heat is any indication. Flashing from traps, the brilliant daughter of Droopys Sydney and Bobsleigh Jet led in the early yards but was soon headed by Tommys Hewick, who displayed huge early speed, on the wide outside.

The decisive moment came on the turn. With Sober Glory on the inside of Bobsleigh Dream, so much could have gone wrong but she wasn’t having it. Charging at the turn, she cut across her rival to turn second.

Once doing so, there was a real inevitability about the result. Bobsleigh Dream flew down the back straight to challenge and head Tommys Hewick before the final turn. From there she eased right away to win by three lengths in a fast 29.29.

The race for second went right down to the wire with Music Glideaway staying on strongly to deny the gallant Tommys Hewick by a short head. Sadly for connections of Sober Glory, he lost out by just a length in fourth.

Heat 2 – LAHDEDAH SO SMOOTH

A return to red saw De Lahdedah return to his imperious best as he produced one of the finest displays of this year’s Derby for Liam Dowling and his lucky owners, the Garsuns Syndicate. Undisputed came through the bars to lead the field into the corner but De Lahdedah overcame a moderate start to move second. He ran a remarkable bend to challenge on the inside of the leader at the second turn and shot through the gap with real purpose.

It was a race-winning manoeuvre. Showing track craft and ability beyond his years, the hugely exciting son of Lenson Bocko and Ballymac Sarahjo eased into a three lengths advantage to the third turn. Undisputed briefly closed at this point but De Lahdedah kicked again to eventually come home three lengths clear in a sensational fastest of the Derby 29.15. There was quite a battle for the remaining qualifying places. Clonrooske Sydney ran on stoutly to take second in the closing yards, just a short head to the good over another big finisher Bens Teddy. Undisputed ran her heart out but was cruelly denied by a half length in fourth.

Heat 3 – MR CHELM IS BACK

He may only be back with Peter Cronin a few weeks but it’s clear the Irish air has done wonders for Mr Chelm.

The 2022 English Derby runner up and Derby Plate Champion has shown real promise in his runs since his Irish return and Lee Harris’ star got back to winning ways in Heat 3 at the expense of his kennel companion Trinity Junior.

Trinity Junior was sharpest in the early yards, leading Mr Chelm into the turn and it quickly developed into a two-dog affair. Trinity Junior continued to race hard down the back straight but Mr Chelm really put the foot to the floor into the third turn and swept around the outside of his kennelmate.

It was a race winning move with the brilliant son of Droopys Sydney and Palermo going on to score by three lengths in a superb 29.21. Trinity Junior also ran a fine race in second with Garfiney Blaze finishing at speed to take third, some two lengths further adrift.   

Heat 4 – CRYSTAL SHOCKS HOFFA

Coolavanny Hoffa was sent off the 1-6 favourite for Heat 4 but this was a rare disappointing display from the Derby favourite as Bockos Crystal repelled him throughout.

Now fourteen weeks out of season, Bokos Crystal was razor-sharp yet again.

Flashing from trap four, she led the favourite into the turn and dug in to repel him on more than one occasion. Nothing else could land a blow with the front two racing clear of the pack. Trained by Graham Holland for Bev Lochead, the brilliant Bockos Crystal stayed on much better than seven days earlier to hit the line in front.

The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Vigorous Hilary saw off Coolavanny Hoffa by three parts of a length in 29.45. Seven Beach another four lengths further back in third. 

Heat 5 – BRO RUNS RIOT

The Murt Leahy trained Droopys Bro was one of the most impressive winners of the round, taking charge on the bend to see off a talented field with minimum fuss.

Owned by the Sweeney Todd Syndicate, the son of Malachi and Droopy Cake is certainly happiest when on the fence and he made full use of the draw,

Going up fast, he disputed the lead into the turn with Raha Mofo, at which point he asserted. Millridge Levi forced his way into second but was never going to challenge the pace-setter. Showing great acceleration into the back straight, Droopys Bro shot clear to halfway before coasting home a facile four length scorer in 29.42. Millriodge Levi ran a fine race in second with Raha Mofo staying on back in third, just a head behind the runner-up.  

Heat 6 – SCAGLIETTI CONTINUES TO MOTOR

With the inside draw in his favour, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Scaglietti was always going to take some beating in Heat 6 and he duly obliged for his many supporters despite Ballymac Marino pushing him hard throughout.

The latter broke on terms and challenged Scaglietti into the turn but the inside line made the difference for the favourite.

Once going to the front, the powerful son of Magical Bale and Outdoor Roller was so fluent and galloped relentlessly to the finish. Ballymac Marino did all he could to get back on terms but was always facing an uphill task.

Cheryl Sutcliffe’s Scaglietti ran right to the line to emerge a tremendous two and a half length winner in 29.27. Ballymac Marino lost nothing in defeat in second while Undulation ran another remarkable race, finishing fast to take third another four lengths adrift.

Heat 7 – WELL MET KEEPS FINDING

Well Met displayed real bravery as well as a touch of class to win Heat 7 or John Jones.

The early paced son of Ballymac Best and Corduff Flame broke fastest and held a narrow lead into the turn over The Other Kobe.

Driving the bend, Well Met moved into what seemed likely to be a decisive lead only for Clona Duke to run a brave corner to slip around in second. Importantly, Clona Duke was forced to check on heels early in the back straight losing valuable momentum.

The Other Kobe then put in a real charge to the third turn to challenge on the inside of Well Met only for the leader to again close the door. This time it really was the decisive moment in the contest.

Once turning for home in front, the talented tracker stayed on well to score by two lengths in 29.62. The Other Kobe ran a big race in second while Dromana Dano came home fast to qualify in third, a length back, despite being available at big odds ahead of the off. Clona Duke, Ryhope Beach and Ballyhimkin Rex were big name casualties in this contest.

Heat 8 – MORE THAN JUST A NICE ONE

Droopys Nice One ensured that Murt Leahy had a night to remember in the final heat, handing him a second winner of the night after the earlier success of Droopys Bro.

Kirby Memorial champion Clonbrien Treaty was sent off the warm favourite but, despite his best efforts off the front, he could never shake off Droopys Nice One, who outstayed her rival.

Clonbrien Treaty was again a little flatfooted at boxes but flew up the outside of the track to take charge. Importantly Droopys Nice One got the better of Romeo Magico to turn second and this left her in the perfect position to launch her challenge in the atter stages.

Clonbrien Treaty continued to lead the field into the home straight but could never shake off his rival. Despite steering her traditional wide path off the final turn, Droopys Nice One flew up the straight to deny the long-time pace-setter.

John Coleman’s daughter of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dance went on to score by a neck in 29.64. Clonbrien Treaty was second with Threesixfive finishing with a real flourish to sit in third on the line, just a length behind the runner-up.