GRAHAM WITH AN ECLIPSE BRACE

Ian Fortune

 Graham Holland is eyeing more big race success in the UK following a wonderful brace in the opening round of the Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse Stakes at Nottingham on Monday evening.

Both Clona Duke and Bockos Crystal were very comfortable winners for the Holland’s Riverside Kennels outfit, lading early to win their respective heats in style.

DUKE DOMINANT

Clona Duke is already the Irish and English Select Stakes winner, the latter coming at Nottingham, while he was of course a wonderful winner of the 2022 Juvenile Derby as well as a finalist in this year’s English Derby.

It’s quite a CV and it was no surprise to see him starting odds-on to win the opening heat on Monday. Taking charge in the early yards from a favourable draw in three, Kevin O’Brien’s star was always in total command before coasting to a facile five length victory over his main market rival Ballymac John in 29.70.

CRYSTAL SHINES IN COMFORTABLE SUCCESS

Despite a lengthy delay due to hare problems, Bockos Crystal emerged a straight forward winner of Heat 5, seeing of English Derby runner-up Romeo Command in the process.

This was effectively decided in the early yards with Bockos Crystal getting to the front within the first five strides. 

Romeo Command did press her in the latter stages but Bockos Crystal is not one to surrender a lead and she comfortably held of her rival by a length in 29.59.

For the record, fastest heat winner was a former Graham Holland trained inmate Newinn Syd as he dominated in Heat 4 for Mark Wallis, scoring in 29.48. Former Irish trained runners Whyaye Man (29.62) and Burj Khalifa (29.94) also won, while the remaining heats saw Droopys Google score in 29.76.

Draw for Monday’s semis (first two qualify for the £20,000 decider)

Heat 1

1 Romeo Command

2 Droopys Request

3 Newinn Syd

4 Ballymac John

5 Cooladerry Dust (w)

6 Kilara Volcano (w)

Heat 2

1 Hopes Rhino

2 Whyaye Man

3 Clona Duke

4 Atomic Gun

5 Allowdale Cazoo (m)

6 Burj Khalifa (w)

Heat 3

1 Antigua Bingo

2 Savana Beau

3 Droopys Google

4 Bockos Crystal

5 Culture Day (m)

6 Headford Chief (w)