SWALLOW FLIES AT KILKENNY

Ian Fortune

On a hot and sticky evening at Kilkenny, forcing a delay to the start of racing, Pat Scully’s De Black Swallow was the undoubted star as he became the only dog on the night to dip under the 29 second barrier in the second round of the Jag Building Services & KGOBA A1 Derby.

Conditions were certainly slower than recently but the Murt Leahy trained De Black Swallow certainly wasn’t hindered. Showing a clean pair of heels at the start, posting a fast 4.24 sectional, the son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Charm quickly moved into a decisive advantage before staying on well to emerge a ready four length winner over Yankee Doodle in 28.95 (rated .30 slow). Bromore Cliffs was another length adrift in third.

ROBERTO DOMINATES

Next fastest was KIlara Roberto as he won in very similar fashion to De Black Swallow.

Trained by Michael Donnelly for Philip O’Keeffe, the son of Pestana and KIlara Diamond flew up the middle of the track from trap four to dictate from before the bend.

Delirium Tremens was his nearest rival throughout but could never get close enough to really worry the pace-setter. Kilara Roberto moved on by three lengths down the back straight before seeing off Delirium Tremens by a length and a half in 29.08 (.30 slow). Bogger Dusty was the third qualifier.    

VERSATILE PRINCE SOON IN CHARGE

American Princ certainly stays further than 525yds but he was plenty sharp enough to win Heat 3 or Dolores Ruth and Kim Bergin.

Bull Run Buggy stepped inwards from trap three to leave American Prince with room to move in the opening yards and he took full advantage.

The son of Droopys Sydney and Rangefield Lass hit the font in the early yards and held his advantage to the bend. Once doing so, his rivals were left chasing shadows. Kilcolgan Comet emerged as the main threat but American Prince is strong and he ran out a ready two and a half length scorer in 29.12 (.30 slow). There was a length to Storys Fuse in third.  

SYD EASES ON

Tailteann Syd emerged a good winner for Paul Hennessy, John Brosnan and Paul Hynes in the second heat as he stayed tight to the fence to assert around the opening two bends.

One of three greyhounds in a line to the turn, the son of Droopys Sydney and Glenlee moved on as they began to swing left and he eased right away in the latter stages to emerge a four and a half length and a neck winner over Crafty Orlando and Lemon Milo in 29.24 (.30 slow).