Billy can bag Lennies Derby at Kilkenny
TRAPRISE
Amongst the most lucrative graded contests on the calendar, Kilkenny’s €22,000 Lennies Derby A1 525 Yard Stake has delivered hugely competitive racing over the past weeks and a leading contender from the outset, the Christopher Delaney trained Rallying Billy (Ballymac Cashout-Rallying Saidso) will take his place in this Friday’s final following a classy semi-final winning performance.
Turning attentions back to four-bend racing following his brilliant Irish Sprint Cup campaign when runner-up in that two-bend major at Dundalk, the Dan Flynn owned May 2024 whelp began his Kilkenny tilt with a pleasing runner-up effort at first round stage. Caught late then, the Roscrea speedster would again lead in the quarter finals but unable to establish a significant lead, settled for another second placing behind smart 28.91 (-40) winner Mission Control.
A third trap one draw on-the-spin for last Friday’s semi-final, however, would find Rallying Billy take another step forward as he turned the tables on that latter rival in his typical early paced style.
From one of his slower breaks, the Delaney kennel star needed all of his sprinting power to retain command of the rails when headed throughout the initial exchanges. Arriving to the opening bend in timely manner however, Rallying Billy fully struck the front while turning and extended to a two-length lead in the back-straight. Not for catching this time despite again finding Mission Control reducing his winning margin in the home straight, Billy ably defended his lead for a three-quarter length victory in 29.00 (-40).
Fastest of the semi-finals, the victory earned a trap 2 draw for the final with fellow early pacer, and semi winner, Da Bould Johnjoe on his inside. He will need a return to his more usual sharp breaking but if so, Rallying Billy can dictate to the backstraight and will be very tough to contain in chase of the €10,000 winner’s share of prize-money.
Obelisk goes back-to-back at Shelbourne
Quite lightly raced in his early career campaign, Obelisk (Orchestrate-Lillies Supreme) has crafted a stealthily progressive racing profile and the Vincent McKenna charge found yet further incremental improvement at Shelbourne Park on Saturday, completing a hattrick of race victories to join the Open ranks.
Retuning to the capital at the back end of last month following a short layoff on the back of A4 victory at Mullingar, the Pat Harnett owned June 2024 whelp claimed A2 victory when confirming powerful early paced qualities. Rising to A1 for that performance in 28.73, the Borrisokane prospect proved completely undeterred by his upgrade to A1 for last Saturday’s Carrick Aldo @ Stud 525, leading throughout a new personal best.
Well suited by his trap 5 draw, the middle seed broke sharply and much the quickest to reach full stride, had extended to a two-length lead before reaching the opening bend. Bounding further clear while turning, Obelisk galloped to a six-length advantage by halfway with the verdict as good as settled. As will be his racing style over four-bends while still developing his resolve at the distance, the margin of victory was reduced from that point as a strong staying Cooga Ted led the pursuit but never sighting a rival, Obelisk retained a two and a half-length margin at the line.
Stopping the clock in 28.55, the McKenna speedster will rise to A0 grade for his next outing but now with four wins from his seven race outings, is a runner to stay on the right side of with further progress highly likely and an early paced running style which can prove highly potent in any four-bend sphere.
Thurles win, a blessing for Jon
Back to Saturday’s action and a second career victory for Pat Doheny’s Beannacht Jon (Bockos Jon Jo-Beannacht Cleo) arrived in thrilling manner when landing the Barking Buzz App A4 525 at Thurles.
Having shed his maiden in A7 grade at the Premier venue in July, the October 2024 whelp had endured a brace of bumpy outings at higher the last twice but eased one rung, produced a most game winning performance having been led in the early exchanges this time.
Breaking in mid-division from trap 4, the Doheny pup raced in a precarious position between runners approaching the opening bend but bravely galloping into the turn, secured a challenging second place when little over a length adrift of the leader at the top of the backstraight.
Displaying a pleasing turn of foot passing halfway, Beannacht Jon negated his arrears when ranging up on the inside of the leader and in command to the closing bends, held the call at the top of the home stretch. Threatened late on by a strong staying rival thereafter, steely resolve saw Beannacht Jon defend a shorthead winning margin while registering a new career best time of 29.42 (-40).
He will now rise to A2 for his next appearance and while that level will test the Doheny youngster as he exits puppyhood, it would come as little surprise should he find further progress and especially when more swiftly to stride.