TRAPRISE - Ted warms to Derby task
With eight enthralling third round heats last Saturday, the 2021 Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby was reduced to just 24 aspiring champions in an exhilarating session which saw big names depart the event while some of the most talented racers to ever grace the sport delivered a spectacle for the ages!
Amidst a hectic two hours of classic canine confrontation at Shelbourne Park, our local challenge more than held its own and ahead of this week’s quarterfinals, dreams of another Derby celebration in North Tipperary remain entirely viable, especially as William Rigney & Richard Brown’s All About Ted (Kinloch Brae-Enable) progressed once again when a brilliant winner of Heat 5 in a stunning 29.35 for the 550-yard Derby trip.
Improving for a 29.61 victory in the second round, the Peter Cronin trained star made light of a daunting task when housed in trap 6, on the outside of Gunboat Showman. Finding his best break, All About Ted immediately took command of the race and a stunning turn of early pace saw the Rathcabbin hopeful three lengths in front at the corner. Easing further clear along the back-straight, All About Ted confirmed that he is in the form of his career when continuing to stretch clear beyond halfway and striking the line with ten lengths to spare over a bump affected Singalong Sally, Ted lay down a big marker in a brilliant career best effort.
The heat had more to offer however, as in behind the Rigney winner, Sean Kenny’s Gunboat Showman (Laughil Blake-Dynamic Trend) produced a most remarkable qualifying effort having appeared to throw his Derby chances away with a very tardy start from trap 5.
Last throughout the initial exchanges, the Borrisoleigh charge did show smart early pace behind the leaders but arriving to the first bend on the outside of a tightly packed chasing group, Gunboat Showman remained an unpromising fifth to the top of the back-straight when bumped while turning. Closing gradually on the qualifying places approaching the third bend with hopes renewed, all looked lost once more as the Kenny hopeful was checked while attempting a sweeping move on the outer. Switching to the wide outside for one last effort in the home-straight however, a truly laudable battling performance was rewarded as Gunboat Showman advanced to third when just a half length adrift of Singalong Sally.
The most anticipated race of the round, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Explosive Boy went to Heat 4 as outright favourite for the Derby but facing off against the astounding Liam Dowling lady Ballymac Ariel, the lids would lift with these big outright fancies starting as 2-1 joint favourites on the night.
A treacherous assignment, Explosive Boy all but secured his qualification when quick to stride from trap 4 and showing just in front of Ballymac Ariel in the early exchanges, looked set to keep his unbeaten record intact.
In a blistering dash to the corner however, the Dowling starlet entered the turn with a half length advantage before forcefully galloping her way to a decisive lead while sweeping across the Moneygall speedster. A flying slingshot into the back-straight would see Ballymac Ariel readily stretch her advantage when over five lengths to the good at the crown of the closing bends. Admirably fending off Priceless Jet, Explosive Boy gave gallant pursuit throughout when ably repelling that strong staying rival to retain second but ceding a four-length victory in such a manner could only happen within a very special performance and the clock duly revealed as much! Posting an astounding 29.07 for the 550 yards, the second fastest ever at Shelbourne Park, Ballymac Ariel again showed why she is one of the most revered greyhounds of all time.
In behind, Karen Murphy’s Trap Joey again performed with huge credit when staying on strongly to fill fourth, missing out on the quarter-finals by three parts of a length and connections will ponder what might have been if he had not missed his break. With Grangeview Mac a disappointing non-runner on the night, our local challenge was reduced to three ahead of Saturday’s quarter-finals.
Another saucy draw for Saturday’s opening quarter-final again sees Explosive Boy facing Ballymac Ariel as the pair share Derby favouritism at 11-4. A trap 2 berth looks ideal for the Guilfoyle star to command the rails, and should he prevent Ballymac Ariel from leading around the bends, it will be fascinating to see if he can reverse form.
In a treacherous scenario however, neither of the favourites are guaranteed anything from the heat for housed on the outside of Ballymac Ariel in trap 6 is All About Ted, who may be set for clear passage to qualification at the very least. Add dual heat winner, and 2020 English Derby winner, Deerjet Sydney into the mix and Heat 1 on Saturday becomes a compelling spectacle.
Contesting the concluding heat from trap 5 will be Sean Kenny’s Gunboat Showman and although again facing a daunting task with Jackslittlething to his immediate left and Priceless Jet on his outer, he can again hold realistic claims to advance, especially if back to his best breaking form.