SORREL SETS THE STANDARD IN KILCOLGAN CASTLE CONNACHT DERBY OPENER

Peter Farrell

The first round heats of the Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby 550 got underway at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and there was no shortage of quality performance as Ballymac Sorrel set the early standard.

With a whopping €9,000 on offer to the eventual winner, it wasn’t surprising to see a high-quality entry for the event, which is kindly sponsored by Karen Geoghegan. Of the five opening rounds heats on offer, there was little to separate the majority of heat winners but it was Ballymac Sorrel that put down an early marker as he handed a shock defeat to the 1/2 favourite, Epic Ace.

Trained by Pat Buckley for Cormac and Charlie Doyle, Ballymac Sorrel came into the event relatively unexposed although he did have some brilliant novice form around Enniscorthy prior to Christmas. Stepping out of novice company for the very first time, the 2/1 shot took to his surroundings like a duck to water as he duly made it three wins from just four career starts. Indeed, it was the hot favourite, Epic Ace, that set a sizzling gallop early doors as he trapped best of all from five to lead Ballymac Sorrel by two lengths on the run-up. Extending his advantage to three lengths down the back, it looked a formality for John Kennedy’s charge as he flew down the back straight in full command. However, the lead was cut at the midway point as Ballymac Sorrel got to work in second and within a matter of strides, the son of Ballymac Vic was on terms with Epic Ace approaching the final bend. Now on the rails, ‘Sorrel’ proved very strong in the closing stages of the contest and he stormed up the Galway hill to manufacture a two and a half length advantage over Epic Ace crossing the line. The time was a rapid 30.01 .10s.

HEAT WATCH

The mantle of next best in terms of the clock was shared between heats four and five as both Creative Ozzy and Julies Gem clocked identical times for their respective connections. First up was ‘Ozzy’ in heat four as the Gordon Rotherham-trained tracker posted a ninth career win with a trap-to-line victory. Sent to traps as the 7/4 second favourite behind Magical Mags (6/4), the son of Dromana Bucko and Paradise Asia disputed early doors with Canya Steve but the inside line proved crucial as he rounded with a commanding lead over his rivals. Four lengths clear down the back, Creative Ozzy wasn’t hanging around up top as he set a terrific gallop throughout, before emerging a five and a half length winner over Magical Mags in second. The time was a fast 30.10 10s.

The time of Creative Ozzy was matched in the concluding heat of the night as the 2024 Kilkenny Derby winner, Julies Gem, powered to a facile victory for Murt Leahy. Out of luck on her last start at the Connacht venue, the 1/2 favourite had no such problems on this occasion as she bolted from her inside berth in one to lead. Railing like a cat around the opening bend, the daughter of King Sheeran and Droopys Meteor opened an unassailable lead thereafter and one which her rivals simply could not match. This lady is top-class on her day and she was to run to a virtual solo from the sprint boxes on as she accounted for a nine and a half length victory over Rosshill News in second. The time, as mentioned, was an identical 30.10 .10s.

Heat three saw a shock thrown up as Eastern Express made it back-to-back wins for Joseph Ward. Sent to traps as a 4/1 outsider with Dutchie installed at slender of 2/5, ‘Express’ shot from trap one to show fine early dash and lead Lady Aston to the opening bend. In doing so, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Jet Stream Debit went about his business in fine style as he maintained a solid gallop to come home one and three parts of a length clear of Lady Aston in second. The time was 30.44 .20s and keep an eye for Dutchie going forward as despite only managing third, ran a big race after meeting several bits of traffic throughout.

The opening heat was a rather messy affair but it was Laois Lightning that emerged victorious for Donal Duggan and Gordon Vaughan. Bidding for a fifth career win, the massive 10/1 chance took charge at the opener after major traffic on the run-up saw multiple runners impacted. Laois Lightning went about his business in a professional manner however, as the son of Ballymac Anton and Old Treasure crossed the line three and a half lengths clear of Peteles Express in second. The time was 30.98 .10s.