BLASTOFF LIVES UP TO HS NAME IN DERBY PLATE

Ian Fortune

Much like The Other Kobe, the final of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate was won in superb trap to line style by Blastoff Mac.

Philip Buckley’s charge has improved steadily in recent weeks and the son of Grangeview Ten and Blastoff Apache chose the right night to produce a career best display.

Neither Beepers Lariat or Ballinabola Una, the big two in the betting, could get involved early after fluffing their lines at trap rise. In contrast, Blastoff Mac flashed from the outside box to set a strong gallop from the outset.

Neon Lights emerged as a big threat down the back straight but Blastoff Mac is very strong and he ran right through the line to emerge a fully deserving length victor in 29.50. 

JUNIOR’S CONSOLATION SUCCESS

The Peter Cronin trained Trinity Junior may have fallen short in the Derby, crashing out at the semi-final stages, but he claimed a tremendous victory in the Derby Consolation, showing a clean pair of heels to his rivals in the opening half of the contest.

Clonroosk Sydney flew home to close all the way to the line but Tim Slevin’s Trinity Junior held on to score. The hugely talented son of Laughil Blake and Oi Oi Upenalty held on to see off his rival by a half length in 29.42.

REMARKABLE FINALE AS SCAGLIETTI ROARS HOME

Cheryl Sutcliffe’s Scaglietti produced a sensational performance to deny Ballinabola Ed in the finale over 600yds but for so much of this contest it didn’t seem likely.

Ballinabla Ed was fastest into stride and comfortably led the field into the turn with a couple of lengths in hand. 

Ultimately, Scaglietti (Magical Bale/ Outdoor Roller) was too close for comfort, however. The pair raced on from the chasers with Ballinabola Ed continuing to dictate, despite Scaglietti putting on serious pressure to the third turn. The race was still on as they turned or home but Scaglietti had more in reserve.

Somewhat surprisingly, Ballinabola Ed began to show signs of fatigue and this left the door open for the powerful Scaglietti. The Pat Guilfoyle trained star ran on strongly to reel in Ballinabola Ed for a tremendous length verdict in a rapid 30.85.   

HAWKFIELD GOES BALLISTIC

Jerry Connors’ Hawkfield Blue was one of the standout performers on the card as he delighted the punters in the sixth race with a superb success in a sensational 28.00.

A heavily backed favourite, the son of Good News and Brownstown Tango came away on terms and, once doing so, had the early speed and determination to lead his rivals from the corner.

Bonkersinyonkers chased him hard to the third turn but was never going to get back on terms. Instead, the Keeley McGee trained Hawkfield Blue stayed on well to emerge a brilliant three length winner. 

HALO TOO HOT TO HANDLE

There was yet another sensational display over the 525yd trip in the tenth race as Halo got loose to record a wonderful 28.08 victory for Basil and Bernadette Holian.

The Matthew Harte trained son of Laughil Blake and Murlens Maura needed to be at his sharpest in the opening yards but, after a fast start, he held Pape Di Oro into the turn to set up a fine success.

Pape Di Oro pressed hard down the back straight but there was no stopping the pace-setter. Maintaining his gallop to the finish, Halo emerged a very impressive two length winner over Pape Di Oro.  

GLORY FOR SOBER

Sober Glory was one of the best backed greyhounds of the night in the penultimate race over 550yds and he produced a superb display to see off Mr Chelm in a thriller.

Both greyhounds came away running and had a great buckle from start to finish.

In fact, there was never a length between the pair with Sober Glory always holding a narrow advantage from his inside line. Despite Mr Chelm showing great pace into the third turn, Sober Glory repelled his rival to maintain his lead into the home straight.

Trained by Karol Ramsbottom for Sean Malone, the son of Droopys Sydney and Cazaghe Jan kept on finding up front to emerge a half length winner over his great rival in 29.31.     

HUGO IN A REAL THRILLER

Perhaps the finish of the night was reserved for the third race over 600yds as Gaytime Hugo and Bobsleigh Dream crossed the line locked in battle, forcing the judge into action.

Bobsleigh Dream seemed a certain scorer when striking the front early but she was never allowed get clear. Undulation was her nearest challenger in the opening exchanges but the Graham Holland trained Gaytime Hugo was also on their heels. It was down the back straight that Gaytime Hugo started to make his move for Stephanie O’Connell with the son of Gaytime Hawk and Gaytime Derval going second into the third turn.

This set up an epic finish. Bobsleigh dream did all she could to repel her rivals on the run but Gaytime Hugo was just too strong.

Drawing up sides in the final yards, Gaytime Hugo took the verdict by a head in a rapid 32.09. Bobsleigh Dream was, in turn, just three parts of a length ahead of Undulation.  

EXILE GETS LOOSE

Soon after the defeat of Bobsleigh Dream, Pat Buckley got off the mark with Road Exile emerging a brilliant winner of the open sprint.

Richard Colwell’s son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile broke fastest from five and displayed fine acceleration to lead from the opening yards.

He was always going to score once putting daylight between himself and his pursuers but it was put beyond any doubt at the turn as there was crowding in behind. Stefans Joker slipped around in second but Road Exile powered on for a comfortable seven length victory in a sizzling 18.49. 

ALL IS GRANDE WITH SOGNA

Sogna In Grande was a most impressive winner of the second race on the card over 550yds, posting a quick 29.41 in victory.

The warm favourite was Optic Chico broke fast from trap five but the early speed of Sogna In Grande carried him to the front into the bend. 

With Deadly Showtime and Optic Chico bumping on the turn, Sogna In Grande took the initiative. Shooting clear, the Jack Kennelly trained son of Laughil Blake and Fast Hurling was in control by halfway.

Optic Chico chased hard down the back straight but was never going to get to the pace-setter. In the end, the Swedish House Party Syndicate owned Sogna In Grande ran out a fully deserving two length winner over Optic Chico.

TIME ON FIRE IN OPENER

Favourite backers took a hit in the opening race with Rathdown Molly picked up late by Fire Time who ran the most remarkable race to win in a rapid 28.29.

The favourite shot into a clear advantage but the Ian Reilly trained Fire Time was second and it was clear the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Kingdom Daisy was going to be a huge threat when quickly closing the gap into the third turn.

Fire Time, owned by Simon Senyk and Brendan Keogh, flew up behind Rathdown Molly at the third turn before making her move on the run in. In a thrilling finish, Fire Time came through to win by a half-length in 28.23.