DICE ROLLS ON IN KILCOLGAN CASTLE CONNACHT DERBY

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby featured on Friday night’s card at Galway Greyhound Stadium and it was Breaghmore Dice that got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion for owner MJ Corrigan.

In round one, the standard was set by Ballymac Sorrel as Pat Buckley’s youngster posted a brilliant 30.01 .10s and he too lined out in a stacked final heat, which also included the likes of Dutchie and Creative Ozzy. However, ultimately it was Breaghmore Dice that prevailed as he made the most of a plumb draw in trap one to get to build on his third place finish in round one. Indeed, there was a bit of traffic in this contest which saw Creative Ozzy make an earlier than anticipated exit from the event after really catching the eye in the opening round. In contrast, Breaghmore Dice, who was having just his second start of the year, continued to build momentum for MJ Corrigan as he rediscovered some of his brilliant Shelbourne Park form to cross the line three lengths clear of Ballymac Sorrel in second. The final qualifying position was claimed by Dutchie, who is still very much on the comeback trail for owner Noel Hehir. The time was a rapid 30.05 .10s and it’s safe to say that all three qualifiers have reason for outright optimism ahead of next week’s semi finals.

STEVE CAN DO IT

Canya Steve was hot order in the opening heat of the night and he justified his 4/6 billing for Imelda Sinclair and David Flanagan.

Canya Steve (Malachi - Burkos Dream) was the victim of some bumping in round one but he recovered well to secure his place in the second round when finishing around six lengths adrift of Creative Ozzy. Drawn in trap one this time around, confidence was high of a swift return to winning ways and this was reflected in his starting price. Quickest into stride, ‘Steve’ disputed the early running with Eastern Express, however, the inside line proved crucial as he turned with a neck advantage over ‘Eastern’ rounding the opener. Nip and tuck between the duo down the back, Canya Steve started to turn the screw approaching the penultimate turn and his stamina was unrivaled in the closing stages as he pulled clear to secure a very impressive victory. Emerging a four and a half lengths clear of Lady Aston, who came through for second, it was Hello Sonny that secured the final qualifying position as he got up to chin the fading Eastern Express for third. The time was 30.38 .10s.

EARLY SPEED PAYS DIVIDENDS FOR ACES

The remaining heat of the night was claimed by John Kennedy Jnr’s Epic Ace (Signet Ace - Free From Desire) as he returned to winning ways after a second-place finish behind Ballymac Sorrel last time out.

Trained by Pat Guilfoyle, Epic Ace was installed as the 4/6 favourite to bounce back and he certainly meant business from the outset as he recovered from a moderate start in six to blitz his rivals for early speed. Indeed, the acceleration from ‘Ace’ on the run-up was a thing of beauty and he duly turned with two lengths in hand over kennel companion, Magical Mag, in second. This contest quickly developed into a two-dog affair as the pair broke loose of the field and it was Epic Ace that opened a three length gap approaching the penultimate bend. Magical Mag wasn’t going away, however. The petrol gauge on ‘Ace’ was flickering on the long run for home but he kept just enough in reserve to fend off the advances of Magical Mag and cross the line three parts of a length too strong. The time was 30.45 .10s as Cossies Dream sealed the third qualification spot in third.

*****

‘ON FAYA’ OPENER PROVED RED-HOT

Elsewhere on the card, the opening round heats of the On Faya Bitch Stake got underway and it was Grace And Laura that went narrowly quickest for Colin Daly and The-Field-Synd.

Running in heat two, Grace And Laura was a sales purchase at the end of 2024 and although she had a tricky start to life with her new connections, she looks to have really found her feet and this was evident from her performance last night. Sent to traps at odds of 5/2, the daughter of Jacob Tashadelek and Coolavanny Model was headed early on by both Droopys Workout and Yahoo Candice, however, she showed fine early dash to course around her rivals and take charge. Opening up nicely down the back, Grace And Laura proved a cut above her rivals thereafter as she marched to a comfortable, four length success over Slipalong Dew in second. The time was a slick 29.06 .10s.

In heat one, Droopys Glamour (3/1) got the stake off to a flyer as the Breda Boyle and Patrick Sheehy owned bitch arrived with a wet sail to land the spoils. It was Brickhill Fayla that was sent to traps as the 5/4 jolly and she pinged out from two to blaze a trail early on ahead of Droopys Glamour, who just about avoided early traffic in six. At this point, ‘Fayla’ had manufactured a five length advantage up top, however, ‘Glamour’ wasn’t disheartened by this as she took off turning for home to storm past her rival and claim a neck success. The time was 29.08 .10s.

In heat three, Burnpark Layla (3/1) made it eight career wins for Michael Browne as she just held off the late advances of Fantasy Tuppence. It was May On Faya that held all the aces on the run-up, however, she was soon joined by Burnpark Layla and the latter never broke stride around the opening bend to shoot clear entering the back straight. At this point, it looked a formality for the daughter of Newinn Taylor and Burnpark Leanne, however, she was pressed all the way to the line as Fantasy Tuppence upped the ante in the closing yards. Just about fending off the challenge, Burnpark Layla emerged a neck better off than her rival, in a time of 29.33 .10s.

The concluding heat was claimed by the Pat Buckley-trained Glengar Delilah as she emerged a facile winner to break her maiden tag in style. Sent off as a 9/4 chance, ‘Delilah’ broke well wearing the stripes and she showed brilliant early speed to take a commanding lead into the back straight. Five lengths better off at this point, Drombeg Spark emerged as the main challenger to ‘Delilah’, however, her efforts were in vain as Conor Dever’s charge stayed on stoutly to claim a comfortable success. Five and a half lengths clear crossing the line, the time was a smart 29.25 .10s.