GLIDEAWAY AND KOBE SHINE IN DERBY SEMIS

Ian Fortune

And then there were six.

Those that tell you they predicted the final line-up in the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby are telling porkies although there was nothing lucky about the manner in which each of the six progressed.

Ultimately the headlines will go to Music Glideaway and The Other Kobe, who took the bull by the horns and dominated in their respective semi-finals but there were so many superb displays behind them providing some incredible storylines ahead of the biggest race of the Irish greyhound racing calendar year.

GLIDEAWAY PLAYS A SWEET TUNE

The opening heat saw Trinity Junior going to traps the marginal favourite at 7-4 ahead of Well Met at 15-8.

Music Glideaway, despite his wonderful draw in the stripes was sent to traps the 5- third choice in the market and those that stayed loyal to the Pat Guilfoyle trained star were rewarded handsomely.

Behind the big there were Seven Beach and Clonroosk Sydney at 8-1, while Threesixfive was returned the 11-1 outsider of the field.

This was a race that was effectively decided in the opening two strides. Music Glideaway has always been a fast greyhound but has largely been inconsistent, if not tardy, at traps. That was not the case in the quarter finals and he again shot from boxes in the semis.

The Pat Guilfoyle trained star flashed from trap six and was soon in complete command despite the best efforts of Well Met in one. By the corner, the son of Newinn Taylor and Glideaway Magic was a couple of lengths clear and he increased his advantage to three lengths by the second turn.

Well Met was second with Threesixfive turning third. Clonrooske Sydney has cut inwards from trap five, leaving Tinity Junior with no room to race and both dogs suffered crowding. Seven Beach turned closest to those in the qualifying positions but was never going to be able to get by the powerful Threesixfive.

In reality, we knew our three qualifiers from as early as the second bend. Music Glideaway, owned by the Bob Shanahan led Pension Plan Syndicate, was on his way to a brilliant victory. Maintaining a relentless gallop throughout, Music Glideaway went on to see off Well Met by four lengths in a rapid 29.32. Threesixfive ran on well to finish just a half length behind Well Met in third. 

It wasn’t meant to be for Clonroosk Sydney, Seven Beach and Trinity Junior but each played thir part in making this a truly memorable Derby.

KOBE SLAM DUNKS ON RIVALS AGAIN

The second heat was also won by a 5-1 chance as The Other Kobe produced yet another flying exit to make every inch for Jennifer O’Donnell, emulating his litter-brother Born Warrior, who both made and won the 2022 Derby decider.

Here De Lahdedah and Coolavanny Hoffa dominated the market. De Lahdedah was 6-4 from an ideal draw on the fence, while Coolavanny Hoffa was just behind him at 2-1. Bockos Crystal was 7-1, Bens Teddy at 10s and Raha Mofo the rank outsider at 20-1.

But as with the opening heat, this was over in an instant. The Other Kobe, owned by Brian Clare and David L’estange, is clearly in the form of his career and after flashing from traps to hold the advancing Bockos Crystal into the turn, he was always in command.

De Lahdedah and Coolavanny Hoffa both missed the start but flew into the turn to sit third and fourth. Despite breaking fast, Raha Mofo was outpaced into the turn and stayed wide to allow Bens Teddy slip around in fifth.

The race was now on. It was clear The Other Kobe was going to take some catching once turning in front and so it proved by the race for the remaining qualifying places was wide open. Obviously, Bockos Crystal, after turning second, was going to be very hard to knock out of the frame but the battle for third was epic.

De Lahdedah was third into the back but edging off the fence, was forced to check across the heels of Bockos Crystal. It was to prove his undoing as Coolavanny Shot past him. De Lahdedah would suffer further crowding on the third turn, ending any hope of making it through. 

Coolavanny Hoffa and Bens Teddy were then left in a straight shootout for the third qualifying spot. The Other Kobe was on his way to victory, however. The brilliant son of Ballymac Best and Mountaylor Queen just kept on finding up front to repel Bockos Crystal before going on to score by three parts of a length in 29.58. The race was for second was ultra-competitive. In the end, neither Coolavanny Hoffa or Bockos Crystal could contain the late charge of Bens Teddy.

The latter absolutely flew home to see off Bockos Crystal by a length. Coolavanny Hoffa was a further three parts of a length adrift in fourth, sadly crashing out of the competition. De Lahdedah and Raha Mofo were next. Again, they can be proud of their efforts but luck was to desert them at the last hurdle.

Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate

UNA TOO STRONG

It paid to follow the runners in red in the semi-finals of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate as both Ballinabola Una and Beepers Lariat obliged in tremendous fashion.

Brendan and Grainne Murphy’s Ballinabola Una has given the impression she will be a star over further than 550yds in the future but she was plenty sharp enough to turn second to Ballymac Pete in the opening semi.

Once doing so, it was a case of when, rather than if, she would go to the front. Ballymac Pete did all she could to repel the challenge of Ballinabola Una, but the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Dolls Lady was simply too strong.

Taking charge at the third turn, the Pat Buckley trained star quickly shot clear to eventually strike the line with four lengths to spare in 29.61. Ballymac Pete held on for second with Neon Lights running on well to finish just a length and a half further adrift in third.

LARIAT SHOWS A GREAT TURN OF PACE

Beepers Lariat looked a little leg-weary when picked up seven days earlier but he was a far fresher sight on Saturday as he emerged a superb winner of the second heat.

Trained by Jack Kennelly for Lenny O’Hanlon, the son of Droopys Sydney and Beaming Smasher actually mistimed the start but he displayed a wonderful turn of early dash to shoot past the fast starting Da Bold Freddie into the bend.

It was a decisive maneouvre. Blastoff Mac also improved his position into the turn to slip around in second but, unlike last weekend, he could never get to Beepers Lariat. This was a very different Beepers Lariat. One that meant business.

Maintaining a strong gallop to the line, the June ’21 whelp emerged a comfortable and most impressive three length scorer in 29.50. Blastoff Mac was second with Pied Piper staying on well to make the frame, two lengths further adrift.

Undercard

PHANTOM GHOSTS HOME

Despite the withdrawal of the very talented duo of Garfiney Blaze and Magical Kuba, there was a tremendous contest over 750yds but Hanover Phantom made the race his own with a powerful front-running display for Declan McDonagh and Leanne Flemming.

The Corn Cuchulainn runner-up, he broke smartly from an inside draw and was soon in control. Kinturk Road, the Corn Cuchulainn champ, was pestered early by Comets Allegro and could never get close enough to worry the pace-setter.

Instead, Ballymac Katie, who herself met early traffic, flew home to emerge as the nearest rival to Hanover Phantom. Despite finishing at speed, she could never get on terms and Hanover Phantom emerged a deserving two length winner in 41.58.

A REALLY NICE ONE

Droopys Nice One was understandably installed a warm favourite for the fifth race over the 575yd trip and she relished the return to the extended distance, dominating from the early yards despite the best efforts of Ballymac Seanie.

The latter gave chase for much of the way but Droopys Nice One always had him at arm’s length and she powered home to emerge a comfortable four length winner for John Coleman and Murt Leahy in a fast 30.94. Stripe Sparky really caught the eye in second spot, finishing with real purpose to get the better of Ballymac Seanie by three lengths in 30.94.

BOY BOUNCES TO GLORY

Ballymun Boy returned to winning ways to kick off proceedings in fine style for Peter Sutcliffe and Rachel Wheeler.

Going up fast along the fence, the son of Droopys Sydney and Burgess Helena forced his way around in front ahead of Glory Baz and that was how it was to remain.

Gaytime Hugo ran on strongly to force a photo finish for second spot but there was no stopping Ballymun Boy, who came home with two lengths to spare in a quick 29.56.

GOOD NEWS FOR LOTTO

Racing ended with a straight-forward success for the talented Lotto Other News.

The Shaun Conway trained son of Good News and Shes Made It has plenty of support in the ring and it was inspired money as he never looked like being denied.

Owned by the Lotto Express Syndicate, Lotto Other News went up well to contain Bymystandard into the turn. Going to the front at this point, he eased on to record a facile five and a half length success over the staying on Riverside Pingu in 28.55. 

MINTON INITIATES A DOWLING DOUBLE

Rathdown Molly was a hot favourite for the second race on the card, an open bitch 525, but she failed to get loose into the turn and was picked up on the line by the fast-finishing Ballymac Whispa.

Rathdown Molly did ride a couple of bumps to force her way to the front into the back straight but was always going to be vulnerable in the latter stages.

Despite being forced to check her stride a couple of times, Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Whispa (Ballymac Anton/ Ballymac Minton) came with her traditional late flourish to lead on the line for a last stride victory in 28.87. She got up to win by a neck.  

SUPER SAMUEL

Minutes later, Ballymac Samuel completed a very quick double for Liam Dowling, forcing his way past Corbrack Prince early in the back straight.

After running a superb opening two bends, Ballymac Samuel carried real momentum into the back and he shot on to put the result beyond doubt.

Foggy Bottom took up the pursuit but was never going to get to the leader. Ballymac Samuel went on to see off his rival by three parts of a length in 28.55.

SLICK GARFIO MAKES ALL

Early pace wins the races is how the expression goes and Capitan Garfio is a strong believer in this mantra.

The son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Petsy was at his sharpest in the sixth race over 550yds, making all after a fast start to beat the gallant Kapuka Warrior.

Ken Busteed’s Capitan Garfio shot from trap four and quickly asserted. He had to be on his toes in the latter stages as Kapuka Warrior did stay on strongly but Capitan Garfio held on by a head in 29.86.