Callaway Knegare and Cheap Sandwiches are into the semi finals of the BoyleSports Irish Derby after finishing runners up in their respective Round 4 heats.
They go respectively for Brosna’s Field Sports syndicate and Tralee’s Bark Wahlberg syndicate.
The David Murray trained Carrick Aldo was the fastest heat winner. Owned by Thomas Glynn from Edenderry, this son of Droopys Sydney – Minnies Hazel was sublime as he opened a comfortable lead from trap six in heat 3. He clocked an excellent time of 29.15 but in the finish, he only managed to win by half a length as the powerful Boylesports Bob flew home for County Kilkenny trainer Paul Hennessy. Da Bold Falcon ran on well to qualify in third spot for trainer John F McGee and owner Patrick McDonagh from Irvinestown, County Fermanagh.
Owned by the Remember-Them syndicate, Bockos Diamond continued his winning streak in the competition as this talented son of Dorotas Wildcat – Seaglass Shadow produced another flawless run to win in 29.19. He was four and a half lengths clear of the Owen McKenna trained Callaway Knegare who is owned by The Field Sports syndicate from Brosna. Seven Beach was two and a half lengths back in third place for trainer Jennifer O’Donnell and the Beach Boys Trio syndicate from Bristol, UK.
Bombay Pat won the opening heat in 29.19 for his owners Pat Muldoon and Bayliss Gee. This speedy son of Pestana – Clear Mountain showed terrific acceleration yet again to beat the massive 90lbs machine that is Ballinabola Jim, trained by Brendan P Murphy and Murphy-Ballinaboola syndicate from Wexford. There were six lengths between them with UK raider March On Freddie finishing third for trainer David Mullins and London owner George Watson.
A Lucky Julie was an excellent winner in heat 2 for County Kildare trainer and owner Jerry Melia. This daughter of Ballymac Bolger – Julies Paradise showed her class and ability to outpace Cheap Sandwiches by half a length in 29.31. Before the start of this derby, Julie hadn’t raced for four months so it’s wonderful to see her getting stronger with each race. She is a major player at the bigger odds of 33/1 to win the €125,000 prize. Cheap Sandwiches known as Sambo at home, is owned by the Bark Wahlberg Syndicate from Tralee with Cesarewitch winner Singalong Dolly qualifying in third spot for owner Gilbert Anderson from Oxfordshire, UK.
Notable market movers from BoyleSports:
• Bockos Diamond 5/4 from 6/4
• Cheap Sandwiches 8/1 from 10/1
Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for Greyhound Racing Ireland, said: “Carrick Aldo produced an excellent 16.87 sectional to the third bend and is running out of his skin. Heat winner A Lucky Julie is getting stronger with every race and her 29.31 winning performance was a joy to watch. Graham Holland still dominates the betting with his three superstars with Bockos now 5/4 favourite. The stadium was packed with greyhound enthusiasts, and I can’t wait for the semi-finals this Saturday.”
5/4 on favourite Carmac King won race 5 at Shelbourne Park for Ardfert’s Timmy Cardmody by 5 and a half lengths in 29-05.
Race 6 went to 10/1 shot Ventry Faith, for Padraig O’Murchu, Tralee; by 2 lengths in 29-45.
At Limerick the 5/2 priced Daleroad Poppy won race 4 for Thomas and John O’Keeffe, Lixnaw by 8 lengths in 28-31.
