GETUP THE BOY SHOWS HIS CLASS TO LAND JUVENILE DERBY
Ian Fortune
Getup the Boy may have returned a 16-1 winner of the TIME Juvenile Derby at Shelbourne Park on Friday night but he could scarcely be described as a surprise winner with plenty noting the pace he displayed in the semi-finals.
Rural Pest was sent to traps the 5-4 favourite and seemed a likely winner when disputing the lead into the bend only for Unanimous Leo to drive the turn and go to the front. While this was happening, Toolmaker King and Droopys Faithfull were both vying for a pitch behind the front two.
As it happens, Toolmaker King clipped the heels of Rural pest on the corner, leaving Unanimous Leo further clear. It also allowed Getup The Boy to improve his position along the fence while Droopys Faithful ran a good second turn to almost join Rural Pest into the back straight.
Unanimous Leo entered the back straight with almost three lengths in hand but there were three extremely fast trackers on the hunt in behind. Turning into the back straight, Rural Pest and Droopys Faithful disputed second spot, while on their inside was Getup The Boy.
The race for home was now on. Unanimous Leo continued to lead into the third turn but his lead was diminishing due to the fact that Getup The Boy was now in full stride and after flying past both Rural Pest and Droopys Faithful.
He hit the third turn a clear second, less than two lengths down on Unanimous Leo. The Mark Robinson trained son of Ballymac Cashout and Peckie Flyer was moving with real purpose and backers of Unanimous Leo were starting to feel queasy.
Droopys Faithful was now in third and charging forward also but Getup The Boty had earned the right to have first crack at the long-time pace-setter. In a tremendous finish, Getup The Boy stayed wide of his rival to launch a decisive challenge.
Daniel Ornstein’s youngest finalist charged to the line to get the better oft Unanimous Leo by three parts of a length in 28.31. Droopys Faithful was just a length and a half adrift in third. Remarkably, it was the first win of Getup The Boy’s career but it’s clear at his current rate of progression he is going to remain a player in the highest company. He won’t be two years of age until January and there seems no ceiling to his potential. He may have been 16-1 but the manner in which he outpaced his rivals between the second and third turn is a clear indication that he is potentially very special.
Sponsor William Rigney presents the trophy to Daniel Ornstein, Mark Lee and Simon Bailey - owners of Getup The Boy - winner of The 2025 TIME Juvenile Derby. Also included are Derek Frehill Director of Racing GRI, Alex Grassic GRI, Michael Dempsey Leinster Regional Racing Manager, trainer Mark Robinson, Eva and Ellie Robinson and Jayden Loughnane. Pic: Imelda Grauer
SOLO SAYS GO
The consolation final was cut apart with three non-runners.
Droopys Slick would come into the inside box instead of Ballymac Stud but it would be a kennel companion to the latter that would emerge on top.
The Liam Dowling trained Solo And Go was the outsider of the four runners but his early speed quickly carried him into a decisive advantage. Owned by the Kingdoms Palace Syndicate, the son of Ballymac Best and Ballymac Minton would eventually see off the favourite Droopys Slick by two and a half lengths in 28.33.
BOYNE ON THE RIGHT ROAD
There were a couple of finals on the undercard with Boyne Road and Harry Houdini both scoring in comfortable fashion.
Boyne Road was racing from two in the final of the Time Greyhound 28 A2 Dual Distance and he soon in control for June Maguire and Ollie Bray.
The soh of Burgess Bucks and Cannobio finished well to win his semi-final over 575yds so the extra yards wasn’t going to worry the powerful galloper. In fact, once dictating early, he seemed to relish the 600yd trip, galloping right to the line to see off Riptide Troika by two and a half lengths in 32.79.
MAGIC RUN FROM HOUDINI
Harry Houdini had to work a fraction harder in the final of the All New Time Greyhound 18 A1 (NB) 525 but, ultimately, he ran out a good winner for Karol Ramsbottom and Connor O’Donnell.
Borna Thyme went up fastest only for Harry Houdini and Gudhand Ben to flank him by the second turn.
The pair moved past Borna Thyme to dispute the lead with Harry Houdini taking over at halfway. From there, the son of Magical Bale and Rangefield Lass eased on to eventually see off the fast-finishing Rallying Mac by two and a half lengths in 28.41.