SIOUX AND MAJOR SHINE BRIGHTEST IN DERBY PLATE
Ian Fortune
The opening round of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate was the feature of Friday’s action at Shelbourne Park and while there were five fine displays from the respective heat winners, the displays of Sunshine Sioux and Magical Major were the clear standout.
At just two years of age, Sunshine Sioux is far from an old hand but he does boast a bit of experience with fourteen starts under his belt. He has long been seen as a very fast greyhound, but he may have added another strioing to his bow if his display in the opening heat is anything to go by.
Normally a big finisher, he made a far faster start to hold a narrow lead into the turn. Carrick Scholsey also came away well from four but couldn’t get to Sunshine Sioux into the turn with the latter slipping around in front.
Those familiar with the powerful son of Droopys Sydney and Susie sapphire knew he wasn’t going to be picked up once doing so and he duly ran right to the line to contain the best efforts of Carrick Scholsey in second.
Trained by Owen McKenna for Peter Comerford, Sunshine Sioux would emerge two and a half lengths clear of his rival in a rapid 29.25. There was a further four length gap to Boylesports Blue in third. If the winner continues to show that sort of early dash going forward, he could develop into one of the very best in training.
KAMARIA DAZLS
Epic Ace was an unbackable favourite in Heat 2 but a slow start and traffic ended his hopes.
In contrast, Dolores Ruth’s Razldazl Kamaria broke fastest to dictate the pace from the outset. Both Breaghmore Dice and Grouchos Hoffa pressed hard into the third turn but Razldazl Kamaria would kick again.
It would prove a decisive maneouvre with the son of Ballymac Best and Boylesportswink easing on to win by two and a half lengths from Breaghmore Dice in 29.96. There was a further head to Grouchos Hoffa in third.
BIG JIM TOO STRONG
Ballinabola Jim would return to winning ways in Heat 3, showing all his strength and track craft to come through in the latter stages.
Harlequin Gee Up and Droopys Oratior took the field along but were always under pressure with the Brendan Muprhy trained Ballinabola Jim sitting in third.
Predicatbly, things started to get a biot tighter at the third turn with ballinabola Jim making his moev on the outside of the front two and De Bono lad forcing his way through on the fence. By the home turn, it was clear the winner was going to come from this duo.
De Bono Lad may have briefly got his head in front but Ballinabola Jim had momentum and he charged to the line to emerge a length and a half winner over De Bono Lad in 29.76. Droopys Orator was two lengths further back in third.
STAN SHOWS REAL DETERMINATION
Southwood Stan was particularly gutsy in the fourth race, showing fine early speed to get to the front before continuously closing the door on Cagey Billy.
Trained by Adam Dunford for Jonathan O’Grady, Southwood Stan would take charge halfway to the bend to lead Cagey Billy into the back straight.
The leader would swing off the second turn, leaving a gap up his inner, but Cagey Billy was immediately cut off as Southwood Stan came back towards the fence. Still, Cagey Billy seemed too close in second and he again challenged at the third turn.
Once again, Southwood Stan would cut him off. The son of Droopys Sydney and Southwood Queen was still in front on the final turn but Cagey Billy was still in hot pursuit. In a driving finish, Southwood Stan somehow repelled his rival by a neck in 30.17. Cloverfield Clan was best of the remainder in third, a length and a half further adrift.
MAJOR PRODUCES SOME MAGIC
Magical Major had struggled to find racing room in his most recent outings around Shelbourne Park but that changed in the final heat with the immensely talented son of King Sheeran and Magical Mary charging up the fence to lead from the corner.
Pat Guilfoyle’s young star didn’t need a second chance. Quickly pulling away from the chasing pack, he had maters well in hand by halfway but still continued to pile on the pressure. The October ’23 whelp would hit the line nine and a half lengths clear in a quick 29.45. Hopes Teddy was second with Harlequin Paul another two and a half lengths away in third.