BIG RUNS IN KILBRIDE KENNELS MIDLANDS DERBY

Ian Fortune

Hawkfield Abbie was the undoubted star of the opening round of the Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby but she had to play a supporting role on Saturday night as the second round saw a number of her rivals take a step forward on their form of seven days earlier.

On the clock, none could match Rough Frankie as he emerged a comfortable winner of Heat 3. A good winner the previous week, the Kurtis Bain trained son of Good News and Bubbly Rose went even faster this time, leading before the corner to put the result beyond doubt to halfway. Ripleys Delight emerged from the pack to give chase but Rough Frankie was too good, coming home four lengths to the good in 30.58.

JET AND GERRY SHARE SPOILS

The closest finish of the night came in the opening heat as the judge failed to separate Patricia Flanagan’s Faypoint Jet (Droopys Sydney/ Palermo) and John Fennelly’s Rathmoyle Gerry (Jaytee Jet/ Highview Lauren).

Syrax set a blistering gallop and looked the most likely winner for much of the journey but Rathmoyle Gerry was always close enough to challenge late. That’s exactly what he did, coming through on the run in. But Faypoint Jet also had designs on success.

A long way off the pace into the back straight, the Chris Flanagan trained tracker really took off in the second half of the contest, powering up the home straight to join Rathmoyle Gerry on the line. The judge called a dead-heat in 30.67.   

STORY DOMINATES

Hawkfield Abbie was a hot favourite for Heat 2 after her opening round track record breaking display but she stumbled at traps and actually ran well to qualify in third.

In contrast, Brian Reilly’s Some Story came away racing to lead in the early yards.

The daughter of Ballymac Best and Rappers Molly was not for catching thereafter. Home Lana gave chase throughout but Some Story emerged a length and a half winner in 30.82.

GAR SOCKS IT TO RIVALS

No Sock Gar was too sharp for his rivals in the final heat, showing fine early speed from the outset to dominate.

Mairead Garrett’s son of Malachi and Fast Fit Maeve made ever inch to see off the staying on Slim Kerry by a length in 30.86.