LAHDEDAH SIMPLY STUNNING IN JUVENILE

Ian Fortune

De Lahdedah stole the headlines at Shelbourne Park on Saturday, producing one of the great performances at the famous venue when posting a scarcely believable 27.78 on his way to setting the standard in the second round of the Time greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby.

In normal circumstances, Highview Splash would have been the headline act, scorching around in 27.97, while Droopys Mandolin, Ballinakil Alf, Deadly Jet and Scooby Pacemaker all dipped under 28.30 but the plaudits go to De Lahdedah.

A SIGNIFICANT RUN

Not only did he break the magical 28 second barrier, but De Lahdedah also became the third fastest greyhound to ever race over the 525yd trip in Dublin. Incredibly, he didn’t even set the pace in the opening heat.

Instead, the hugely exciting Droopys Flytline dictated into the turn after a fast start but he was always under severe pressure when De Lahdedah slipped around a close second. Charging into the third turn, the son of Lenson Bocko and Ballymac Sarahjo took over along the fence before powering clear.

It was clear he was going fast given how talented the early pace-setter is but few could have expected the clock to flash up 27.78. Trained by Liam Dowling for the Garsuns Syndicate, De Lahdedah took the verdict by an ever-widening three and a half lengths from Droopys Flytline with Follom Fleet another five and a half lengths further adrift in third.

HIGHVIEW MAKES QUITE A SPLASH

Highview Splash was nothing short of brilliant in the final heat of the round as he displayed the sort of ability that could see him become a real star.

It was immediately evident the son of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Abbey was set to do a run as he displayed different pace to his rivals to shoot clear into the bend.

Representing Gerry and Dolores Merriman, the Sept ’21 whelp was in a league of his own. Pulling further and further clear, Highview Splash sent out a clear warning that he could be a huge player at the business end of the competition. He went on to see off Ballymac Marcia and Jetstream Breeze by six length and a short head in a stunning 27.97.

A SCOOBY BRACE FOR JENNIFER

Just a week after claiming her second Boylesports Derby title in succession, Jennifer O’Donnell sent out a fine brace in the heats of the Juvenile Derby as brothers Scooby Pacemaker and Scooby The Duke made all to win their respective assignments.

Scooby Pacemaker wore red in Heat 6 and took full advantage. Owned by the Scooby Trio Syndicate, the son of Droopys Sydney and Scooby Princess shot from traps and led his rivals on the bend before going on to dominate. Ela Maestro ran on to grab second on the line but Scooby Pacemaker was too hot to handle as he emerged a four length winner in 28.29. In Good Time was just a head back in third.

DUKE HOLDS ON

Scooby The Duke completed the double in the following heat. While not going as fast, he made every yard in a very similar vain to his litter brother.

Steve Noble’s charge went up fast from trap four to race into clear lead.

He may have faded in the latter stages but had enough in hand to contain Miami Prince by a length and a half in 28.60.

MANDOLIN CONTINUES TO PLAY HER SWEET TUNE

Droopys Mandolin kept her unbeaten career record in tact in Heat 3 as she again produced a near perfect display.

The Robert Gleeson trained daughter of Laughil Blake and Droopys Curio has clearly inherited the brilliance of her sire and dam and it was more than evident on this occasion.

Breaking smartly, she quickly got the better of the fast starting Singalong Dolly to lead around the turn. Thereafter, it was all pretty straight forward for Alan and Pat Dobbs’ starlet as she raced to a comfortable

ALF ATONES FOR COSTLY DEFEAT

Ballinakil Alf, owned by the Pillar Syndicate, was a very costly loser in the opening round of the Juvenile Derby but he immediately atoned for that defeat in a red-hot Heat 4.

The son of Pestana and Newinn Madam had to show real early speed as both Short Grip and Jetara went up fast on his flanks.

The Graham Holland trained Ballinakil Alf is exceptional into the turn, however, and he took charge early to slip around in front. Short Grip pressed him hard throughout and the pair actually bumped on the run in but Ballinakil Alf hit the line a couple of lengths clear in 28.21. Stonepark Syd was another four lengths back in third.    

JET POWERED

Deadly Jet returned to winning ways in Heat 5, showing a clean pair of heels to his rivals in the opening yards.

Representing the Karol Ramsbottom/ Gary Hannon combination, the half brother to former Derby champion Susie Sapphire held Glengar Elvis to lead into the back straight and he proceeded to make all.

Glengar Elvis challenged throughout but could never get on terms and Deadly Jet emerged triumphant by a length in 28.28. There was a yawning eight length gap back to Highview Treat in third.   

ZELDA SHARPEST IN HOT CONTEST

Droopys Zelda has run into some serious performers in recent weeks, running well behind De Lahdedah and Ballinakil Alf but it was her turn to see off some talented rivals on Saturday as she ran out a superb winner of Heat 2.

In a contest packed with talent, the daughter of Pestana and Droopys Dance displayed the best early zip to lead the field into the turn. that was certainly the pace to be in a contest where most of her rivals were seen as front runners.

Both Grouchos Duke and Unmatched pushed her hard throughout but Droopys Zelda kept on finding. Trained by Johnny Linehan for the O’Neills On Tour Syndicate, the progressive October ’21 whelp emerged a half a length and three parts of a length in front of Unmatched and Groucho Duke in 28.37. 

WARRIOR TOO GOOD IN DUAL DISTANCE

An early advantage was enough to secure a fine victory for Kapuka Warrior in the opening semi-final of the Time Greyhound 20 525/550 Dual Distance.

The Karol Ramsbottom trained son of Good News and Cruel Intentions was soon in charge along the fence and he proceeded to increase his advantage around the turn when avoiding bumping. Nothing could never get close enough to threaten and Matt Dunne’s charge came home four lengths clear of the staying on Jaytee Craze in a fast 28.23.

AILSA ALSO DOMINANT

Droopys Ailsa won the second heat of the Dual Distance is similar fashion, showing fine early dash to make every yard for Robert Gleeson and Paul Allen.

The daughter of Loughteen Blanco was in charge from the opening yards and proceeded to see off the staying on Fernandes by four lengths in a quick 28.33. 

TRENDING THE RIGHT WAY

High Trend was a pretty facile winner of the opening contest on the card, making every inch after a slick exit.

Trained by Graham Holland for the RT & C Syndicate, the son of Droopys Sydney and beaming Smasher was having his first four bend race in some time but he duly obliged as a favourite should.

Chased throughout by Resurgan, High Trend ran out a ready three and a half length winner in a fast 28.25. One wonders, will he end up at Curraheen Park for a crack at the Laurels given his superb early speed.

ARENT WE ALL IS FAST

David Murray and Alan Devine have a very talented young bitch to go to war with in the coming weeks and months in the form of Arent We All.

The daughter of Droopys Sydney and Jet Ski Queen was electric in the second race, flying up the outside of the track to dictate from early.

Carrickhill Ava broke fast and attempted to stay with Arent We All but it was futile. The rapidly improving pace-setter never looked like being picked up as she posted a rapid 15.90 to the third turn before coasting home two lengths to the good over Carrickhill Ava in 28.26.