A FEW SHOCKS BUT KNEGARE IMPRESSES IN JUVENILE DERBY

Ian Fortune

It was inevitable given the depth of quality on show that there would be a few surprise results and shock eliminations from the opening round of the TIME Juvenile Derby but Callaway Knegare had clearly read the script as he posted the fastest time of the round, charging home to clock a sizzling 28.14.

Callaway Knegare may have found himself short of room in the opening strides and last into the turn but he still emerged a brilliant winner of the final heat, showing massive pace and power from halfway.

Ballymac Briar came away racing to dispute the lead into the turn. In doing so, he edged inwards, leaving Callaway Knegare with no option other than to check his stride.

Cheque For cash also found himself short of room and he checked wide on the opening turn, changing the complexion of the race completely.

Ballymac Briar found himself in front but after the parting of the seas around the opening two bends, Callaway Knegare was now in hot pursuit. Charging into the third turn, the Owen McKenna trained son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Sweet joined and quickly headed the pace-setter before drawing right away to post a sizzling 28.14. The Field Sports Syndicate owned star went on to beat the staying on Hello Diego by four lengths with Ballymac Briar best of the remainder, two lengths back in third.

A KIND ROLL OF THE DICE

MJ Corrigan’s Breaghmore Dice posted a rapid 28.25 for the second time running to emerge a narrow winner of Heat 3, containing the late charge of Coosane Pickles by a head.

Breaghmore Dice didn’t have everything his own way in the early yards but displayed real determination and strength to get around the challenging Uncle Frankie on the turn to lead into the back straight.  

Cheap Sandwiches was now on his shoulder but Breaghmore Dice continued to run hard out front. The son of Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Cams held Cheap Sandwiches all the way to the third turn at which time Coosane Pickles came through to emerge the greatest threat.

The latter flew up the straight but Breaghmore Dice is strong himself and he contained his rival by a head. Cheap Sandwiches was another three and a half lengths down in third. Uncle Frankie was the fourth qualifier.

MAGIC MILO GETS UP IN A THRILLER

Heat 2 provided a remarkable finish with nothing separating the first three home, although Tivoli Milo emerged a deserving winner after mowing down the long-time pace-setter House Martin in the final strides.

Tivoli actually broke fastest for owners Paul Horig and John Woodford but House Martin was soon on his inner. The latter then moved on at the corner but Tivoli Milo had the bit between his teeth. the Tommy O'Donovan trained son of Droopys Sydney and Rural Aloha never let the leader out of his sights and continued to pester him to the third turn. Boylesports Blue had also closed up in the front two and was also moving with real purpose. This set up an incredible finish.

With House Martin showing signs of fatigue, the chasers drew closer with each stride. Tivoli Milo wasn't taking no for an answer and he lunged late to take the verdict by a neck in 28.28. There was just a head between House Martin and Boylesports Blue in second and third, while Droopys Plunge was the fourth qualifier. He got a little lost early but made up eye-catching ground.

RANDOLPH MAKES AN IMPRESSION

There was a major surprise in Heat 4 with both the hot favourite Yorkie Ollie and his nearest rival in the market Dutchie both exiting the competition.

In contrast, Randolph Scotts displayed all sorts of pace and promise to emerge a tremendous winner for Peter Cronin and the Big Bus Syndicate.

Evolution broke fastest and flew into the turn to set a strong gallop but Randolph Scotts was immediately in chase. Evolution continued to dictate down the back straight but Randolph Scotts began to build up a head of steam and he made his move up the inside of the pace-setter at the third turn.

Shooting through the gap, the hugely promising son of Brett Lee and Oi OI Upenalty quickly moved into a decisive advantage. By the time he hit the line, Randolph Scotts had five lengths to spare over Evolution in 28.30. Julies Gem was best of the remainder in third, come three parts of a length adrift. Innfield Destiny was the fourth qualifier.

REAL PEP IN HIS STEP

La Pepinillo was razor-sharp in Heat 5, showing a clean pair of heels to his rivals in the early yards before going on to make every inch for Roy Ball, Trevor Pearson and trained Michael Corr.

The very well bred son of Ballymac Bolger and Coolavanny Chick was having just his career start and only his second over four bends but it certainly wasn't evident in the manner of his victory.

Fun Inthe run, Syds Buttons and Clonfert Annie all attempted to get back on terms with the leader but one by one they failed. Great credit must got to La Pepinillo as he maintained a relentless gallop throughout to emerge a two and a half length winner over the staying on Clonfert Annie in 28.38. Syds Button was just a length adrift in third.

LADY KICKS OFF PROCEEDINGS IN STYLE

Grangeclare Lady did a fine impression of her sensational dam, Susie Sapphire, in the opening heat, flashing from traps to dominate throughout.

Peter Comerford's daughter of Droopys Sydney flew from the inside box and quickly built a commanding advantage to sit four lengths clear at halfway from the pursuing Ballybough Nutz.

Toolmaker Curio charged traps but flew into the third turn to challenge for second only to be repelled by Ballybough Nutz. Meanwhile, the Owen McKenna trained Grangeclare lady remained in front despite her stride shortening. At the line, Grangeclare Lady had two and a half lengths to spare over Ballybough Nutz in 28.44. Toolmaker Curio was two lengths further adrift in third.

SECOND ROUND DRAW AVAILABLE

The draw and full form for Saturday’s second round can be found: https://www.grireland.ie/racing/upcoming-race-cards/upcoming-race-card-summary/?track=SPK&id=109557&date=17-Aug-2024

LYNX POUNCES IN ON2 DECIDER

Earlier on the card Tinnock Lynx produced a fine display to land the final of the €2,250 Talking Dogs ON2.

Orla Devereux’s daughter of Ballymac Best and Ballylough Lynx displayed promise on debut but improved considerably to win the final in comfortable fashion. 

She was on the inside of a line of three dogs into the turn but forced her way to the front. Once doing so, she never looked under any pressure. Despite her youth, the January ’23 whelp looked right at home, bounding clear to emerge a comfortable three length scorer over Mollys Mango in 28.78.