Quietly sets new standard at Curraheen Park
The former Puppy Derby broke the track record in the first round, but that lasted only a week, as kennel companion Hee Haws Sheriff lowered the mark to 17.24 in round two.
However, in a competition which was top-drawer from start to finish, it should have come as no surprise that there was yet another twist.
Quietly, ideally drawn next to the rails, exploded from traps, raced a length clear of his kennel mate to the opening bend, and ran on powerfully to beat that rival by a length and a half in a remarkable 17.14, with Ballymac Sexton in third.
“It was game over as soon as the traps opened, and I’m thrilled with the new record,” said the winning handler.
“I was talking to a couple of Cork regulars, and they were telling me that time won’t be beaten for a hundred years. They’d know the times better than me, but I know the Sheriff dog is seriously fast, so to break his record is unreal.
“He is a bang railer, and in his trials he would come out like that. But, in his races he wasn’t as consistent. He had niggles before and after he won the Puppy Derby (in 2014), and has been a hard dog to keep right, but the last six or eight months he has been right. We have him 100% now, even though he’s three and a half.
“He will definitely come back here for the Laurels. He won here last year, in 28.20, when only coming back from his winter break. He loves this place, and the 525 is not as hard as other tracks, which suits him.”
Former record holder Hee Haws Sheriff, who had some issues during the week, lost nothing in defeat, but whether or not he’ll come back for the Laurels is yet to decided.
Reilly added: “He ran a blinder. He had a little niggle during the week. We were always hoping to run, but we got the go-ahead from the vet on Friday. He didn’t run the bends as well as he did on other nights, but in the straights he was fine, and looks grand after it.
“I think the 400 at Dundalk is tailor-made for him, and I’m hoping we might go in that direction. It would be hard to run in both races (Laurels and Irish Sprint Cup) as, if you were lucky enough to get to both finals, that would mean running 10 weeks in a row, which would be a very big ask. We’ll wait before making that decision.”
On the undercard, trainer Frances O’Donnell recorded a double with Skywalker Malard, who recorded 28.64 in an A2, and Dromscarra Ruby, who served notice she could be a leading player in the upcoming Pat Hennerty Sales Cork Oaks with a smashing display in the open bitch 525.
The Southern Oaks winner made all and proved five lengths too good for odds-on favourite Skywalker Pearl, in 28.19.
Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Belle could also have a tilt at the Cork Oaks in her sights after her 28.55 victory in the A1 525. Newlawn Simon returned from a break to post a terrific performance in the finale. Trained by John Kiely, the exciting prospect stayer came through late to beat Madra Deas by a length and a half, in 28.26.
Slippery Fred’s bid for the big early-season double is firmly on target after he took the second semi-final of the Ladbrokes Easter Cup on Saturday night at Shelbourne Park.
Larry Dunne’s dog had the pace to squeeze past Peregrine Falcon as they approached the first bend.
The latter challenged between the last two bends, but was forced to check. From that point onwards it was all about Slippery Fred, who ran on strongly to score by four lengths from the long-time challenger, in 29.58, with Only For Life in third.
Derby Consolation winner Jaytee Jet posted the quicker of semi-finals, when proving too strong for Leger winner Skywalker Rory.
Paul Hennessy’s dog took a narrow lead out of the first bend, extended his advantage down the back, and stayed on strongly to beat Leger winner Skywalker Rory by two and a half lengths, in 29.34, with Lenson Sanchez a length further back.
The Con and Annie Kirby Memorial got underway on Saturday night in Limerick, and Witches Belle set the standard with her runaway success in the sixth of the 12 opening-round heats.
Owned by Edel Twomey, Midleton, the Joe Dunne winner led early and powered clear to beat Sparta James by nine lengths, in 28.20.
Just five spots behind on the clock was the Graham Holland-trained Jo Jo Fantasy, which led all for an emphatic 15-length victory. Kennel companion Clares Rocket readily accounted for his three rivals in heat eight, the June pup leading from the first turn to beat Anopheles by eight lengths, in 28.27. Clares Queen (28.94) and Ballinakil Clare (28.32) completed a four-timer in the heats for Holland.
Drumsna Legend (28.61), Droopys Awesome (28.63), Droopys Roddick (28.65), Tynwald Baz (28.86), Eightythreelarch (28.50), Slipalong Champ (28.67) and Brinkleys Katie (28.57) also landed their respective heats.
1. Peregrine Falcon, 2. Slippery Fred, 3. Lenson Sanchez, 4. Skywalker Rory (m), 6. Jaytee Jet (w), 6. Only For Life (w).
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