Ruth trio storm through to English Derby semi-finals

Dolores Ruth’s domination of the Williamhill.com English Derby continued at Wimbledon last night as her three runners all effortlessly qualified for Saturday’s semi-finals with both Razldazl Jayfkay and Razldazl Rioga scoring hugely impressive victories.

Razldazl Rioga, owned by Micheal Ó Muircheartaigh, and Razldazl Bugatti clashed in the opening quarter-final where reigning Derby champion Taylors Sky was a fancied contender. Razldazl Bugatti was best away and led up from Rioga and Taylors Sky and the remaining three runners were all involved in a first bend clash.

Rioga ran the back straight brilliantly and took it up before the third bend where Taylors Sky followed him into second place. But Rioga was in control at this stage and went on to win by two lengths from Taylors Sky in 28.48 with Bugatti also qualifying another two and a quarter lengths away in third.

In the third heat Razldazl Jayfkay went off the 11/10 favourite with Bubbly Phoenix his main rival in the market. But while Jayfkay flew out of six box, Bubbly was tardy into his stride. However, a major pile-up on the bend saw two of the runners ruled out of the race and Bubbly turned fourth into the back.

But Jayfkay was already clear and the race was as good as over. He went on to win by five and a quarter lengths and a length from Droopys Loner and Bubbly Phoenix in a fastest of the round 28.41.

The fourth heat saw Blonde Snapper go off the favourite but Fraser Black’s Droopys Jet is improving with each run around Wimbledon and he certainly got it right on the night. Breaking quite well from four, he was third early as Blonde Snapper led up and the three inside runners were slowly away. Droopys immediately moved inside and was second before the bend behind Blonde Snapper.

Droopys Jet ran very strongly down the back to lead before the third bend from Blonde Snapper and he then stayed on strongly to beat Blonde Snapper by a length and a half in 28.52 with Westmead Adonis a close third.

There were three Irish runners in Heat 2 but it was John Gardner’s Coolavanny Bert that was best away and led up from Farloe Ironman with Judicial Ruling in third. Shelbourne Geoff and Tinas Nova were struggling after sluggish starts. Up front Coolavanny Bert was in control and he won by two lengths from Farloe Ironman in 28.48 with Judicial Ruling a short head third and then Shelbourne Geoff in fourth.

Draw for Saturday’s semi-finals:

Heat 1: 1 Razldazl Rioga; 2 Coolavanny Bart; 3 Farloe Ironman; 4 Judicial Ruling (m); 5 Bubbly Phoenix (w); Razldazl Jayfkay (w).

Heat 2: 1 Taylors Sky; 2 Westmead Adonis; 3 Razldazl Bugatti; 4 Droopys Jet; 5 Droopys Loner; 6 Blonde Snapper (w).