WILLSEEYOUTHERE FASTEST IN MIDLANDS DERBY

Ian Fortune

The stage is set for a very competitive Kilbride Kennels Midlands Derby decider after Saturday semi-finals.

Willseeyouthere had the honour of going fastest when making all in the opening heat but he was only just two spots quicker than Bawn Farloe, who emerged on top fifteen minutes later in the second semi. Incredibly, just over three lengths separate the six qualifiers on the semi-final clocks.

Willseeyouthere is known for his early dash and he used it to great effect in the opening semi. Trained by David O’Neill for Seamus and Olan Teague, the son of Ballymac Vic and Shrewd Clover broke fastest from trap two and, despite moving wide from trap two, comfortably made the corner in front.

Home Luigi gave chase down the back straight but nearly threw away his chances of qualifying when easing on the third turn. Fahy Devine moved second but then ran wide off the final turn, allowing Sanitize to storm home to grab the runners-up spot. Home Luigi also recovered to take third, a length further back.

Willseeyouthere was not going to be picked up, however. The September ’18 whelp went on to score by two and a half lengths in 30.97.

FARLOE WINS WELL

Planet Perfecto was priced up as if defeat was out of the question in the second heat but, for the first time in the competition, he missed the start and as to find traffic on the corner.

In contrast, Bective Silver, from trap one, and the widest drawn Bawn Farloe came away racing to dispute the lead into the bend.  

It as at this point that Dan Byrne’s Bawn Farloe asserted and it was to prove a decisive maneouvre. Maintaining a strong gallop throughout, the son of Skywalker Farloe and Ripley Diana emerged a comfortable length and a half scorer over the fast-finishing Crokers Prince in 30.99. Bective Silver was just a length away in third.

KILBRIDE KENNELS MIDLANDS DERBY

Final draw

1 HOME LUIGI

2 WILLSEEYOUTHERE

3 BECTIVE SILVER

4 CROKERS PRINCE (M)

5 SANITIZE (W)

6 BAWN FARLOE (W)