Ballymac Matt continues to dominate at Irish Greyhound Derby
Liam Dowling’s dog, with his new MO in-tow, has taken the Derby by the scruff of the neck, winning each of his outings with little trouble. Drawn in red each time, he popped out, made all, and posted a time in the mid-29.40s.
The 29.44 he recorded this time was, for the third consecutive week, the fastest of the round and, the draw for quarter-finals is such, we can expect more of the same next weekend.
That said, the field is tightening up now, and new threats are emerging. Ballydoyle Honey may have exited the competition with a somewhat flat performance – certainly below her brilliant best – but her litter sister, Samiya, has stepped in to make the headlines.
Out of that remarkable Brett Lee x Kildallon Maid litter, which also includes Slippery Snowy, Hovex Prince, Hovex Princess, Urban Gossip and Badminton Maid, the Robert Gleeson-trained bitch caught most by surprise when winning at odds of 33-1 in round two, but showed it to be no fluke with a power-packed display in Saturday night’s final heat.
She lost a couple of lengths when running up the back of leader Ballybough Mike early in the backstraight, but remounted her challenge at the third turn, and then pulled right away to post a most-impressive six-length victory, over the only other remaining bitch, Priceless Lassie, in 29.46.
The potentially brilliant Secreto put it all together with a super display in the first heat. Rural Hawaii looked well on the way to victory when some four clear out of the second bend, but was unable to resist the flying finish of the Mossy O’Connor-trained Secreto, who got up late for a half-length victory, in 29.58.
Save The Don, who began his career with a flying 17.42 victory at Curraheen, last year, made all to take heat two, in 29.57. Fair Taxes found plenty of trouble, but ran a fine race to get up for second place, six lengths behind the winner.
Tyrur Tommy is improving with each run, and made all to take heat three for PJ Fahy, recording 29.79. Gaytime Hawk, trained by Graham Holland for Deirdre O’Connell, Blarney, got up late to beat Cable Bay by half a length, in 29.67, with long-time leader Farloe Blitz a neck back in third.
Patrick O’Brien’s Peregrine Falcon currently resides in vaunted company, as one of only two runners to remain unbeaten in the stake – the other, of course, being Ballymac Matt. With sizzling early dash, he was quick to take control of the sixth heat, and raced home clear of Ivy Hill Bart, in 29.50.
Murt Leahy’s Lemon Miley has been there, seen it, and done it all, and showed he remains capable at the very top level with his game victory in heat seven. Securing a 19th career success, he led around the opening bends, and battled on to beat Shutthe Backdoor by a neck, in 29.94.
3 Ballymac Matt, 8 Farloe Blitz, 14 Fair Taxes, 16 Samiya, Tyrur Tommy, Cable Bay, Secreto, 20 Peregrine Falcon, Sidarian Vega, Rural Hawaii, 25 Jaytee Jet, Save The Don, 33 bar.
1. Farloe Blitz, 2. Shutthe Backdoor, 3. Blue Cafu, 4. Samiya, 5. Dolcino Flyer (m), 6. Rural Hawaii (w).
1. Ballymac Matt, 2. Highview Apollo, 3. Jo Jo Fantasy, 4. Priceless Lassie, 5. Save The Don, 6. Ivy Hill Bart (w).
1. Tyrur Tommy, 2. Offshore Bound, 3. Farloe Rumble, 4. Fair Taxes, 5. Gaytime Hawk, 6. Paradise Maverik.
1. Cable Bay, 2. Secreto, 3. Peregrine Falcon, 4. Lemon Miley, 5. Sidarian Vega, 6. Jaytee Jet (w).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
