HOLIDAY SHARPEST TO THIRD BEND
Ian Fortune
As has become tradition, we will take time to reflect on the third bend clocks after each round of the Boylesports Derby and the champion as regards the opening round was Another Holiday, who took off in the opening heat on Saturday, clocking 17.01 on his way to a wonderful fastest of the round 29.23.
Of course, he was one of the names that would have been put forward ahead of the competition to go fast to the third turn but to go faster than some real stars is a real achievement. Just three parts of a length slower was Ballymac Finn.
Last year’s Derby runner-up came roaring back to form posting a sizzling 17.06 despite not exploding from traps. On that sort of form he could be a big payer yet again. Coolavanny Hoffa, a kennel companion to Another Holiday and the ante-post favourite did little wrong in his success, blowing away the cobwebs with a thoroughly professional display.
He posted 17.08 to the third turn and is likely to go faster in the coming weeks. It’s worth noting he clocked a fastest of the competition 16.80 in the second round last year and also clocked the second fastest time of the classic in the quarter finals with a 16.88 return.
The Other Kobe, Ballyhimkin Rex and Bockos Crystal also went very fast to the third turn with each posting 17.09. Good Maestro was the fastest heat winner on Friday, winning in 29.24, and his third bend sectional was a quick 17.11.
A full breakdown of the third bend leaders for each of the 26 opening round heats can be found below:
|
Leaders Clocks (Fastest to Slowest): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st round |
|
|
|
|
Another Holiday |
17.01 |
|
Ballymac Finn |
17.06 |
|
Coolavanny Hoffa (F) |
17.08 |
|
The Other Kobe (F) |
17.09 |
|
Bockos Crystal |
17.09 |
|
Ballyhimikin Rex |
17.09 |
|
Good Maestro (F) |
17.11 |
|
Ballinabola Ed (F) |
17.12 |
|
Trinity Junior (F) |
17.12 |
|
De Lahdedah |
17.14 |
|
Undisputed |
17.14 |
|
Scaglietti |
17.17 |
|
Tommy Hewick |
17.17 |
|
Clona Duke (F) |
17.20 |
|
Jetara |
17.23 |
|
Well Met (F) |
17.23 |
|
Ryhope Beach |
17.25 |
|
Optic Chico (F) |
17.27 |
|
Beepers Lariat |
17.27 |
|
Droopys Bro (F) |
17.28 |
|
Hawkfield Blue (F) |
17.30 |
|
Cryptopunk (F) |
17.32 |
|
Bulletfromagun (F) |
17.38 |
|
Deadly Showtime (F) |
17.38 |
|
Disco Pants |
17.38 |
|
Halo |
17.54 |