PLATE ACTION OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY

Ian Fortune

The Michael Fortune Memorial Derby late got underway at Shelbourne Park on Friday night and the resulting action of was of the highest quality.

In fact, a few of those in action would have to be respected if they were still in the Derby itself.

Faetest heat winner was Ballymac Run as she posted a rapid 29.34, while Daleroad Duke was also hugely impressive as he left his rivals standing on a way to a 29.42 success.

DUKE REIGNS

The upward trajectory of Daleroad Duke is showing no sign of halting.

Thomas O’Keeffe’s talented son of Good News and Burgess Sarah made an unlucky exit from the Derby last weekend but returned to winning ways in some style, winning the opening heat of the Plate by a wide margin.

This was an utterly dominant display from the September ’21 whelp. Breaking on terms, he quickened into a clear advantage by the corner and proceeded to go further and further clear for the easiest of victories. Daleroad was never under a moment’s pressure as he emerged a facile nine and a half length scorer in 29.42. Da Bold Freddie was second, a short head to the good over Millroad Bolger.

BALLYMAC CAN RUN

Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Run was always the one to beat in the second heat when coming away racing from trap four.

Getting across those on her inner before the turn, the daughter of Bull Run Bolt and Jaytee Pearl was always in the perfect position.

Annagh Bailey challenged her into the turn but was on the wrong side of his rival and entered the back straight a length adrift. Ballymac Run really started to turn the screw into the third turn to move on by three lengths and she continued to lay it on thick up the home straight to emerge a mighty impressive three lengths scorer in a fastest of the round 29.34. Annagh Bailey was second with Blastoff Chase another five lengths adrift in third.

EXCITING UNA ARRIVES LATE

There was an unbelievable finish to Heat 3 with Ballinabola Una coming home with a wet sail to get up in the final strides at the expense of Ballymac Pete and the very wide running Magical Kuba.

The latter seemed certain to score when comfortably clearing the bend but he continued to throw away ground on the bends and was vulnerable off the final turn.

Ballymac Pete gave chase throughout and seemed best placed to take advantage but Ballinabola Una came with a massive finish to lead late. Trained by Pat Buckley for Grainne Murphy and Aoibheann O’Leary, the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Dolls Lady was only fifth into the turn but moved fourth at that point.

Tiptoeing closer down the back straight, he moved third before the final turn to launch her challenge up the straight. Finishing with a real flourish, the December ’21 puppy got up in the closing yards to win by a head from Ballymac Pete in 29.72 with Magical Kuba another half-length back in third. It seems safe to say Ballinabola Una could develop into a real star over further in the future and she is one to keep a close eye on.

LARIAT LEADS THROUGHOUT

Beepers Lariat was the even money favourite for Heat 4 and he duly obliged for Lenny O’Hanlon and Jack Kennelly.

Not always the most fluent at traps, he got away racing and was soon in command. The chasing pack never let him get far away but the son of Droopys Sydney and Beaming Smasher kept on galloping out front. 

Press Unlock stayed on strongly to take second but was never going to get to the pace-setter. Beepers Lariat emerged a comfortable two length winner in 29.73. Swords Fudge was third, another length adrift.

ROCKO TOO SHARP FOR RIVALS

Early speed is the key weapon in the arsenal of Clona Rocko and he used it to great effect in Heat 5 where he left a decent field standing.

Daniel Kerr’s son of Ballymac Bolger and Bellmore Lucy came away on terms and quickly moved through the gears to hit the front into the bend.

Cheque For Sir gave chase throughout but couldn’t match the pace-setter for pace and strength. Trained by Michael Taggart, the front-running Clona Rocko eased right away to win with a fair bit in hand. The son of Ballymac Bolger and Bellmore Lucy emerged a six and a half length winner in 29.61. Cheque For Sir was second and Blastoff Mac took third another three parts of a length back.  

PAPE GETS LOOSE

Early speed was also the key to success in the final heat as he bettered Deadly Showtime into the corner before racing to a comfortable victory over the strong running Optic Chico.

Javier Jarne’s Tipperary Cup winner broke on terms from four and quickened into the turn to assert.

Deadly Showtime remained in second but was never threatening in the pace-setter. Optic Chico then began to make a move but Pape Di Oro was never going to be picked up. The Pat Buckley trained son of Droopys Sydney and Trusted Exile emerged a four-length winner in 29.72. Optic Chico came powering through for second, two lengths clear of Deadly Showtime.