A NUMBER OF SIZZLING PERFORMANCES IN THE KINGDOM DERBY

Barry Drake

Irish Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn returned to something near his best when returning to winning ways in the Kingdom on Friday night.

Owned and trained by Liam Dowling, the 5-4 shot ran out a smart winner in his second round heat of the Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby. Breaking smartly, Finn was in prime position heading into the corner and although he came together with Feora Chris, he was still soon in front. Showing massive gears at the head of affairs, he quickly pulled away and he was on his way to victory. A very impressive winning display, five lengths clear of the fast finishing Cloneden Flash, with a length and a half back to the running on Scarty Yank. The winning time was 28.40.

BACK TO BACK WINS

Disco Pants, trained by Michael Daly for owners Conor Healy and John Breen, went a couple of spots quicker when recording back to back wins in heat number two.

Showing a lovely early dash to lead around from Sunshine Dream, the strong running tracker, a 7-2 chance in the betting ring, was always doing enough up front and he pulled out all the stops to win, in 28.37. Sunshine Dream running a big second in second, just a length back, with two lengths back to Burgess Rapid in third place.

STRONG RUN

In the opening heat, Ballymac Bronze got up in the final yards to win for Liam Dowling.

The 15-2 outsider turned handy and the February youngster was very strong in the closing stages. She got the better of Burgess Darcy, by half a length, in 28.51. A short head back to the running on Ballymac Bailey in third.

STAR PERFORMER

The performance of the night came in the closing heat when Stream Of Sydney came from off the pace to win for trainer Pat Buckley and Austin Whelan.

After a slow start, the 6-4 joint favourite looked in serious trouble. Ballymac Whispa and Tullig Raven were going along nicely up front midway down the back, but the impressive winner flew down the back straight to lead at the third corner. Sticking to his task really well, Stream Of Sydney beat Ballymac Whispa, by two and a half lengths, in 28.37, with Tullig Raven, a length back in third.