TREMENDOUS DERBY START AT KILKENNY
Ian Fortune
The JAG Building Services & KGOBA Derby got underway at Kilkenny on Friday night, and the two biggest runs came from one of the youngest and the eldest competitors in the valuable stake.
Droopys Map set the tone in the opening heat, showing real alacrity in the early yards to dominate in a rapid 28.89, while Kapuka Warrior, who is almost three years older, went fractionally faster in Heat 4 as he set the standard with a 28.86 return.
MAP ON THE RIGHT PATH
Martin Costigan’s Droopys Map - a full brother, from a repeat mating, to Droopy Kathleen - shot from trap three in the opening heat to make all.
The Murt Leahy trained son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Dancer was different class to his rivals, eventually coming home five and a half lengths clear of Brostaigh Cullen.
JIM A REAL GEM
Jims Gem would later complete a double for Murt Leahy when scorching to the turn to make all in the final heat.
The son of King Sheeran and Skirk Mishap is the youngest runner in the competition but it was scarcely evident as he produced a thoroughly professional front-running effort to see off the staying on Lemon Thelma by a length and a half in 29.13.
WARRIOR SETS THE STANDARD
Three quarters of an hour later, sprightly veteran Kapuka Warrior won Heat 4 in identical fashion. Flashing from four, the Karol Ramsbottom trained star would see off his rivals with ease. Matt Dunne’s son of Good News and Cruel Intentions would ease clear to eventually hit the line six lengths clear of Carrigeen Whit.
DROP GIVES KAROL A DOUBLE
Karol Ramsbottom would later complete a double with the aptly named Double Drop producing a razor-sharp effort in Heat 5.
The son of Broadstrand Bono and Long Kiwi, who is owned by James Tobin and James Darcy, would build a clear advantage after a fast start before going on to contain the late challenge of Coolemount Ger by three parts of a length in 28.96.
FUN FOR RUN BACKERS
Fun Inthe Run may have been off the pace for much of the way in Heat 2 but he stayed on strongly to come home in front for Michael and Daire Malone.
Bogger Tommy and Lemon Herbie were up front for much of the way but Fun Inthe Run was patient in behind. Waiting for his chance, the son of Malachi and Love Island would pounce on the run in to see off Lemon Herbie by a length in 29.16.
DROICHEAD TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Droichead Nua may have been only fourth into the bend in Heat 3 but he displayed fine track craft and pace to assert into the third turn.
Staying tight to the fence, he would move second before the second turn only to drive his way to the front, past Gortkelly John, into the third turn.
Trained by Shaun Conway for the Newbridge Racing Syndicate, the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Limini would ease on to win by four and a half lengths from Gortkelly John in 29.28.