HEIRESS AND SANDWICHES BUCKLE THE HIGHLIGHT OF DERBY THIRD ROUND

Ian Fortune

Bockos Diamond may have been missing but the BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby moved to another level on Saturday night with the each of the third-round heats won in terrific fashion.

The younger contingent took their chance to step forward with puppies Ballymac Stud, Unanimous Leo and Singalong Curly all impressing but the headlines went to Proper Heiress as he made a case for being the best chance of a UK winner of the classic since Toms The Best landed the 1997 renewal.

Proper Heiress was simply outstanding in Heat 3 as he saw off Cheap Sandwiches in an epic encounter that saw the duo go toe to toe like two prizefighters. Below is a heat-by-heat guide to Saturday’s third round action.

Heat 1 – LEO POUNCES TO MAKE ALL

All evidence would suggest that Unanimous Leo is a real competition greyhound.

The winner of the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny, he would also reach the final of the Juvenile Derby before taking in the Derby.

In what was just his eleventh career outing, he displayed in the opening third round heat that he belongs in this type of company with a superb front running effort after a flying start. Racing from four, the son of Glengar Bale and Nice Mystery would flash from traps to dictate the pace around the turn.

Magical Keith broke smartly but could only turn second and was never going to worry the leader given his own stamina limitations. Instead, the eye was drawn to the stronger running Ballyhooly Bruno Magical Sapphire and Lennies Madge in behind although none could get close enough to threaten the pace-setter.

Trained by Pat Buckley for Ciaran O’Sullivan, Unanimous Leo would hit the line two and a half lengths to the good in 29.58. Magical Sapphire would stay on for second while Ballyhooly Bruno was just a length adrift in third. 

Heat 2 – CURLY HANDS BUCKS A DOUBLE

After racing as Sallagh Curly through the start of his career, Singalong Curly certainly didn’t seem to mind the name change in Heat 2 as he produced a thoroughly professional run for a greyhound so young to complete a rapid double for Pat Buckley.

Now under the ownership of Gilbert ‘Singalong’ Anderson, the hugely exciting son of Deerjet Sydney and Mydras Dawn would produce another paw-perfect effort. Hitting the ground running from the inside box, he soon had daylight on the chasing pack.

The Other Wild and Ballinabola Joe were expected to dictate the pace but neither read the script and it was Happy Jet, a kennel companion to the leader, that took up the chase. Singalong Curly was not going to be stopped, however.

Belying his youth and inexperience, Singalong Curly raced to a comfortable two length success over his staying on kennel companion Happy jet in 29.52. Blastoff Heffo ran on well to take third a further three lengths back.

Heat 3 – HEIRESS STEPS UP TO SEE OFF SANDWICHES IN AN EPIC

Bockos Diamond may have been missing from Heat 3 but it still managed to serve up the race of the Derby thus far with Proper Heiress (Droopys Sydney/ Powerful Mush) and Cheap Sandwiches delivering the most wonderful buckle.

This really was greyhound racing at its very best. Barefoot On Song made a brief cameo at traps, flashing from four to lead early but she was soon left standing by her more fancied rivals. Proper Heiress, with the inside line in his favour, flew into the turn to lead but Cheap Sandwiches was soon on his shoulder and pressing.

It was now race on. The Mark Wallis trained UK raider, Proper Heiress, would enter the back straight with a narrow lead but Cheap Sandwiches never gave him a moment. The pair, clear of the remainder, flew into the third turn with Cheap Sandwiches doing all he could to get back on terms.

That happened between the last two bends but, still, Proper Heiress gave his all and made full use of his inside pitch. With Cheap Sandwiches swinging wide off the final turn, Proper Heiress finally built a decisive advantage. Both ran hard to the line but the honours went to the MWD partnership owned Proper Heiress as he saw off his gallant rival by a length in a rapid 29.27. Barefoot On Song actually ran a huge race to finish just three lengths away in third.        

Heat 4 – BOOMER WITH A TYPICALLY PROFESSIONAL RUN

After the drama of Heat 3, the professional manner and straightforward nature of Shanahee Boomer’s success in Heat 4 came as welcome relief to those still breathless from the action fifteen minutes earlier.

The Maiden Derby champion again wore the black jacket of four and was soon in charge after another flying start. Trained by Kieran Lynch for the Bate The Ditch Syndicate, the talented son of Good News and Droopys Dream was always in complete control with his nearest rival the short runner Solo And Go.

Priceless Romeo and Coosane Pickles did finish with purpose to grab second and third but Shanahee Boomer was flawless as he won by two lengths and two lengths in 29.42. Given the winner’s professionalism and consistency at boxes, he is certainly worthy of a mention when attempting to pick out possible Derby winners.    

Heat 5 – PAT BOWS OUT AS STUD STRUTS HIS STUFF

Bombay Pat was promoted to Derby favouritism after the withdrawal of Bockos Diamond during the week but it sat heavy on his shoulders as he made his exit in Heat 5, missing the start before never really getting going.

In contrast, after catching the eye behind Proper Heiress the previous week, Ballymac Stud sent out a clear and very concise warning to his rivals that he is a serious Derby player for Liam Dowling. Fastest into stride was Lennies Dream from two but Ballymac Stud was soon showing wonderful acceleration to join his rival.

Running an exemplary opening bend, Ballymac Stud would quickly go to the front before opening up a near three length advantage to halfway. It was hugely impressive from the hugely promising son of Droopys Sydney and Ballymac Pete, although the contest wasn’t over yet.

Turning for home, Lennies Dream began to close on the leader but the gap was too great. Ballymac Stud would roll home a length to the good in a fast 29.37. Lennies dream ran a huge race in second while Rural pest stayed on to finish three lengths away in third, in turn knocking out his kennel companion Bombay Pat who would take fourth. 

Heat 6 – DEPLOY ARRIVES LATE

Droops Deploy found a way to win Heat 6 for Robert Gleeson and Paul Allen.

In what was one of the most competitive heats of the round, Oreo Ollie set the fractions only to be pressed by Callaway Five into the third turn.

There was a decent gap back to Upper Horgan and Droopys Deploy in third and fourth as they hit halfway but things began to get a little tighter into the third turn. As Callaway Five challenged on the outside of Oreo Ollie, the pair bumped, allowing Droopy Deploy, who had moved third, to draw closer.

Oreo Ollie battled his way back to the front to lead the field into the home straight but Droopys Deploy had the momentum and the son of Malachi and Droopys Charm stayed on best to lead twenty-five yards out to win by a half length in 29.91. Oreo Ollie was second with Callaway Five third.

Heat 7 – MORE CASH IN THE BANK FOR CHEQUE

Cheque For Cash (Dromana Bucko/ Paradise Asia) is one of the most straightforward and consistent greyhounds in training as he once again displayed in Heat 7, coming home in front of a talented field that included the warm favourite De lahdedah.

Owned by the Cash back Syndicate and trained by Karol Ramsbottom, Cheque For Cash was popular in the ring ahead of his assignment and he did everything right to justify his support. Breaking fastest from the inside box, he would quickly move into a comfortable advantage before going on to make every inch.

The race for the minor placings was far more eventful with De Lahdedah forced to pull out all the stops after finding himself in fourth after checking off the second turn. Tarsna Maasai would do all he could to close on the leader in second and was right on his heels into the third turn but Cheque For Cash kept finding up front.

Ballymac Tibet was in a qualifying position in third but while he stayed wide, De Lahdedah moved to the inside to unleash his traditional big finish. Cheque For Cash would go on to win by two lengths in 29.58 with De Lahdedah coming through for second. A half-length further adrift, the battle for third went to Tarsna Maasai as he contained Ballymac Tibet by a neck.  

Heat 8 – MORE MAGIC FROM MAG

Magical Mag seems to be in the habit of making things looks easy.

That was certainly the case in the final heat as she flew from the inside box to record a dominant success over the fast-finishing Glengar Silent.

Drawn on the fence, Magical Mag exploded from traps and was clear of the field by the turn. Phoenix Memphis turned second but he was brushed aside by Glengar Silent, who moved with real purpose down the back straight to go second before halfway.

Magical mag remained well clear but Glengar Silent flew home to close the gap. Magical Mag was never under any pressure, however, as she cruised to a most impressive two length victory for Pat Guilfoyle in 29.51. Glengar Silent again displayed his huge ability in second with Phoenix Memphis holding on for third, some six lengths away.