IRISH GLORY AS DEPLOY TRIUMPHS AT NEWCASTLE

Ian Fortune

Droopys Deploy justified odds-on favouritism in the final of the ARC Northern Puppy Derby at Newcastle on Thursday night, claiming a famous victory for Robert Gleeson and Ireland.

Worth a whopping £12,500 to the winner, the hugely talented son of Malachi and Droopys Charm had to work hard for victory but ultimately was too good for his rivals. He was slow into stride and was well off the pace in the early yards but began to make his move halfway to the corner.

Yahoo Maizy flashed from four but failed to hold her position. Instead, 18-1 chance Swift Bullseye shot to the front on the corner but his fate was sealed when Droopys Deploy forced his way into second spot on the corner.

Ballymac Lucia turned third but Droopys Deploy was too hot to handle. Charging into the third turn, slipping up the inside of the pace-setter, Droopys Deploy moved on before staying on strongly to beat Swift Bullseye by two and a quarter lengths in 28.56. Ballymac Lucia was a neck further back in third.

Soon after the race, speaking on the track, Robert Gleeson suggested they would consider returning to the UK with Droopys Deploy, while also confirming that owner Paul Allen had turned down some ‘significant offers’ for the son of Malachi. It certainly seems he was justified in his decision.