TIME CLUB GRADERS DERBY HEATS UP AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

The second round heats of the TIME Club Graders Derby featured at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and it’s fair to say that the action ramped up several notches with all but one of the eight heat winners dipping under 29-seconds.

The fastest of the night was a blistering performance from Babu in heat six as he flew to a 28.54 (.10f) victory, however, given the 28.90 stipulation, which expires from this weekend on, he will take no further part in the competition. Ballea Buck, Fast Fit Patch and First Light also fell into that trap as they too made their exit from the stake due to breaking the time barrier.

Heat 1 - The Stephen Murray-trained Crokers Princess (9/4) landed her opening round assignment in fine style and she doubled up in the first heat of the night with a determined performance to prevail. Owned by the Blessmefatherforihave-Syndicate, the daughter of Dorotas Wildcat - Crokers Ruby led early doors from trap three but surrendered the lead to Rinnwood Duke, who took control upon entrance to the penultimate bend. However, Crokers Princess wasn’t to be deterred by her rival as she stepped it up a gear around the bottom bends to again assert and cross the line with one length in hand. Des Flaherty was unlucky to draw both his runners in the same heat, however, Rinnwood Duke and Rinnwood Leo both managed to advance in second and third respectively. The time was 28.99 (.10f).

Heat 2 - Another tracker to go in search of back-to-back wins was Deelish Top Boy in heat two and the John McGee-trained runner did so by the narrowest of margins. Installed at odds of 3/1, the son of Ballymac Bolger - Crafty Jayko broke well from three and he showed excellent courage to nip around in front at the opener. In doing so, he set a fine gallop throughout despite being challenged all the way by Southwood Porter. The latter proved a worthy adversary, however, missed out by a short-head on this occasion as ‘Deelish’ held on to score. The time was 29.16 (.10f) with Killduff Pippa claiming the final qualifying position in third.

Heat 3 - Hellroad Sleeper (Ballymac Cashout - Hellroad Autumn) was forced to settle for third last time out, however, Kieran Connolly and Patrick Stack’s runner scored a maiden victory in heat three. Still learning his trade, the July pup was only moderately into stride from trap one and sat second entering the back straight as Drombeg Marley set the pace. However, showing excellent strength to progress, ‘Hellroad’ was making steady inroads throughout before railing tightly in the closing stages to down the longtime leader by a neck. The time for the 2/1 chance was 28.85 (.10f) with Burnpark Class claiming third.

Heat 4 - There was a massive shock in heat four as 10/1 chance Maid Of Iron got back to winning ways for the first time since November of last year. Owned by Neily Jones, this lady was graded as low as A5 coming into the contest, however, she sprung from trap four to post a blistering 1.19 early sectional. In doing so, the daughter of Lenson Bocko and Shes Ordinary built up ahead of steam to lead her rivals a merry dance into the back and although Skippy Fantasy finished at a rate of knots, ‘Iron’ had enough in the tank to cross the line with one and a half lengths to spare. The time was 28.83 (.10f) as Tally Ho Flyit landed third.

Heat 5 - Babu (2/1) advanced in fourth place in the opening round, however, the Dave Bourke-trained pup got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion in heat five. Owned by Javier Jarne, Babu broke best of all wearing white and he paced up in lovely fashion to take control rounding the opener. Building a commanding lead at the halfway mark, the son of King Sheeran did come back to the field in the closing yards, however, the damage was done early as he still managed to cross the line two lengths clear of Ballyea Buck in second. The time was 28.54 (.10f).

Eliminated - Babu & Ballea Buck

Heat 6 - Spruce Ranger dictated the pace last time out and he was once again first to show in heat six from trap one. The 6/4 favourite looked likely to prevail this time around, however, Fast Fit Patch (5/2) wasn’t to be denied despite a poor start to the contest. Trained by Declan McDonagh for John Quinn, the son of Jacob Tashedek made steady progress from the halfway mark and although forced to check his stride at the penultimate bend, he finished with real intent to make it back-to-back wins. Harrowgatetownbaz produced his customary power-packed finish to claim second, while Spruce Ranger had the settle for third. The time was 28.72 (.10f)

Eliminated - Fast Fit Patch

Heat 7 - The penultimate heat on night two was claimed by Tipsy Ailbhe, who came out the right side of a photo-finish after being denied in the same scenario one-week prior. John Kealy’s runner was 2/1 at the outset and she was headed only by Bandit Sailor early on. However, ‘Ailbhe’ asserted rounding the opening bend and she held on gamely from the determined Bandit Sailor to cross the line with a short-head in hand. The time for the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Shancol Storm was 28.94 (.10f) as Slanestown Meg landed third.

Heat 8 - The concluding heat of the night saw First Light make it back-to-back wins after landing her first round assignment in close fashion. Sent to traps as the 6/4 favourite, the Adam Dunford-trained star was quickly into stride from two and she stormed clear rounding the opener to open a healthy advantage. In doing so, the daughter of Confident Rankin was never under threat as she romped to a three and a half length success. Group Goldstar claimed second, while Daring Rambo was a further three parts of a length back in third. The time was 28.60 (.10f)

Eliminated - First Light