PATRIOT GOES QUICKEST ON THE CLOCK FOR TEAM BALLYMAC

Barry Drake

BALLYMAC PATRIOT (Ballymac Cashout-Ballymac Wisdom) set the standard in round two of the 2024 Juvenile Classic at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Monday night.

Liam Dowling's June puppy had caught the eye in defeat in the opening round but he really put it all together this time around. The 6-4 favourite came away racing and from an early stage, the impressive winner was in total control. A smashing 28.22 winning performance, four and a half lengths clear of Ballymac Dapper, with a further three lengths back to Delightful Maise in third place. 

BABY BOCKO (Lenson Bocko-Shes Ordinary) caused a major upset in the opening heat when winning at odds of 12-1 for trainer Graham Holland and owner Beverley Lochead.

Always prominent, the March puppy was always in the mix and he dug deep in the closing stages to run down the early-paced Kerogue Lady. Just a neck margin, in 28.42, with a length and a half back to Silverhill Lady in third. 

CARRIGMORE GRACE (Droopys Sydney-Carrigmore Dizzy) delivered a fine front-running display in the third heat.

Trained by Graham Holland for owners the P-And-A-Coffey-Syndicate, the July puppy displayed plenty of early dash to slip around in front. Brave throughout, the smart 8-1 winner kept finding at the head of affairs and she beat Ive Hill Thunder, by a length, in 28.48. Three lengths back to Beaming Thunder in third place.

The fourth and final heat went the way of COOLAVANNY OTTO (Droopys Sydney-Westwind Jet) for trainer Pat Buckley and owners James and Nathan Corden.

The 4-6 favourite delivered another high-class performance as he overcame a bump at the opening corner and stumbling at the second bend to make it back-to-back winning performances. Such an exciting young tracker, the May puppy showed huge gears to beat Ower Cracker, by three and a half lengths, in 28.55. Chambord was third, two and a half lengths back. 

The semi-finals of the 2024 Juvenile Classic will take place on Friday night.