Mag will seek Magical Derby Final victory

TRAPRISE

The 2025 BOYLE Sports Irish Greyhound Derby will conclude this Saturday night, and in search of a precious second victory in racing’s blue riband, Pat Guilfoyle has guided Magical Mag (Ballymac Cashout-Mystical Luna) to the €125,000 showdown following a game semi-final qualification at Shelbourne Park.

Having elevated her form to new heights this past summer, the latest darling of Moneygall had rattled off a hat-trick of heat wins in the classic before lining out in trap 3 for the second semi-final last Saturday.

Stamping her mark on the Derby with fast starts and early pace, Mag once again got it right at trap rise and immediately taking command of the race on the run to the first bend, she turned with a one length lead. However, renewing rivalries with Glengar Silent, that prodigious Pat Buckley talent was closer than Mag would like when within a length to the top of the backstraight and he duly advanced to lead entering the closing bends. He would go on to victory in a high-class 29.26 for the 550-yards but sticking to her task very gamely once headed, Magical Mag only went down by three lengths in third as Droopys Deploy flashed home for second.

The result may appear concerning ahead of this week’s final but in truth, Mag’s final prospects remain unaltered as with any 550-yard race she contests at this exalted level, she must skip far enough clear to ensure that she tackles the third bend with a lead. Just because she didn’t last weekend, doesn’t mean she won’t this weekend!

The opposing semi-final was a virtual procession as last year’s runner-up Cheap Sandwiches dominated throughout a stunning 29.14 victory and that Graham Holland star will be a hot favourite for final victory.

That qualifier harboured significant controversy, however, with the disqualification of runner-up Oreo Ollie for deliberate interference and in his absence, UK raider Proper Heiress gains a reprieve having finished fourth. Promoted to third, he was further rewarded with the plumb draw in trap 1 for the final!

Final Draw: 1) Proper Heiress 2) Magical Mag 3) Barefoot On Song 4) Glengar Silent (m) 5) Cheap Sandwiches (w) 6) Droopys Deploy (w)

Proper Heiress can go up well to the corner, but should Magical Mag repeat the latest fast breaks which have become her trademark, she can take crucial command of the rails nearing the opening bend. That is the minimum required if we are to be celebrating a second Derby victory in Moneygall.

Certain to be odds-on, the final does revolve around Cheap Sandwiches and if he produces a smart break to lead on the outside, he is unlikely to be contained. However, we would selfishly prefer to see him in trap 5 than his favoured wide draw and the improving Glengar Silent could give him an early headache if well away.

In any case, the path to victory for Magical Mag is clear. She must lead around the opening bends and defend her position to the third turn. She has previously held off this Derby’s finest in that scenario; keep the faith that she can do so again. C’mon Mag!

Having also settled for third place in his semi-final of the Michael Fortune Memorial Derby Plate, Magical Major (King Sheeran-Magical Mary) will contest the final of that classic consolation this week having again impressed with his stunning raw talent. Significantly baulked and out with the washing around the opening bends, the October 2023 pup was beaten less than a length in 29.98 and granted clear passage in this week’s final, will not be contained!

Both the Derby Final and Plate will be broadcast live from Shelbourne Park on Virgin Media TV this Saturday evening.

Willie can be a Rockstar at Limerick

Closer to home on Saturday, semi-finals in the O'Connor Julian Vets Cashel A2 Tri Distance Stake were the feature of the Saturday action at Limerick and stepping up in trip to 575-yards this week, the Maher Family Syndicate’s Rockstar Willie (Ballymac Cashout-Aayamza Royale) led the charge to final stage with a thrilling victory.

Breaking on terms from trap 2, the John Byrne trained August 2023 whelp contested the lead before bumping at the opening bend. Remaining within three lengths to the top of the backstraight in second place however, Rockstar Willie reduced arrears to the closing turns before switching wide to deliver his telling challenge in the home stretch. Striking the front on the long run to the line, Rockstar Willie forged a neck winning verdict in 31.44 (+10).

Just the fastest of the semi-finals, the Knockalton youngster will take all the beating as the event moves to 600-yards for this week’s final.

Final double for Guilfoyle in Kingdom

Away from the hype and glitter of the Derby, trainer Pat Guilfoyle had already gotten his weekend off to a flying start when claiming a brace of stake final victories at Tralee as firstly, Sallagh Larry (Deerjet Sydney-Mydras Dawn) extended his exciting career start in the MCP Group A1 525 Yard Stake Final.

UK owned and now trained in Moneygall; the October 2023 whelp commenced his career with a highly impressive passage through a warm unraced stake at Enniscorthy before missing his final engagement back in June. Turning attentions to Tralee following a short layoff, the Guilfoyle recruit produced his best effort at semi-final stage when a strong running winner in 29.42 but would build on that yet further in final victory on Friday.

Breaking just behind the pace from trap 2, Sallagh Larry tracked Steeple Rd Amber to the opening bend before crucially denying that rival a lead while commanding the rails position, easing to the lead entering the backstraight, the Guilfoyle prospect contained a persistent runner-up for a one length victory in a swift 28.18 (+10)!

Daleroad Devon (Ballymac Cashout-Mystical Luna) had a troubled passage through his semi-final of the MCP Group A0 525 Stakes but having settled for third then, he stepped forward to complete the Kerry final double for Guilfoyle when just about leading throughout.

Showing the best pace off a level break from trap 2, the kennel stalwart forged a tight one length lead at the corner before sweeping readily clear while turning. Ably containing Trionas Tribe from that point, Daleroad Devon took his win haul to ten from 21 when posting 28.44 (+10).