JULIE IS A DERBY GEM AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

Julies Gem has been nothing short of ruthless in the early rounds of the JAG Building Services & KGOBA A1 Derby at Kilkenny.

On Friday night, she followed up her impressive opening round success with a massive run from the front to lower the colours of Prince Naseem.

The latter set the standard last week, clocking a rapid 28.65 but Julies Gem bettered that run in the first of the four heats, making every inch after a fast start from trap three. Representing Murt Leahy and the Gem Spring Syndicate, daughter of King Sheeran and Droopys Meteor quickly took full control.

Prince Naseem turned second but was never going to justify favouritism. Instead, Julies Gem was relentless, galloping on to win by four lengths in a fastest of the year 28.59. Prince Naseem was second with Ashmore Toby another two lengths adrift in third.

MAGICAL DISPLAY BY GLITZY

Sinead Murphy’s Glitzy Magic came through to lead in the final strides for victory in the last of the four heats, albeit almost half a second slower than Julies Gem.

Despite this, he was the second fastest of the heat winners.

The son of Broadstrand Bono and Glitzy Maeve was never far behind before outstaying Lemon Mundy, who had led from the second turn. Glitzy Maeve hit the front in the closing yards to win by a half length in 29.05. There was a further half-length to the third qualifier, Droopys Bro.

WARRIOR SHOWS HIS CLASS

Matt Dunne’s Kapuka Warrior justified favouritism in Heat 2, running a type turn to move second early in the back straight despite making a tardy start by his standards.

Gortkelly John was in front at this point but Kapuka Warrior moved past him at the third turn.

Once doing so, the Karol Ramsbottom trained son of Good News and Cruel Intentions went on to contain Creative Ozzy by a length in 29.10. Orchid Legacy stayed on to take third, a further two lengths adrift. 

BIG FINISH FROM SHANE

Russmur Shane took the remaining heat for Stephen Dunne and Jerry Murphy.

This was a tight affair with opening bend crowding allowing Jetara to slip around in front. Sadly, he isn’t the force he once was and faded out of contention from the final turn.

In contrast, Russmur Shane finished with real purpose. Only third down the back straight, the son of Ballymac Best and Cabra Ash challenged around the last two bends before asserting at the final corner. From there he drove clear to win by four lengths from Ballybough Olwyn in 29.46. Lemon Ted was best of the remainder a neck further back in third.