Conor Gray BoyleSports presents trophy to Simon Taylor _owner_, Rachel Holland _Handler_ and Graham Holland Trainer as Newinn Taylor wins the Irish Greyhound Derby 2020.jpg

TRAPRISE - Taylor closes out Derby as Kasko commences

TRAPRISE

With 2020 providing arguably the hottest ever renewal of the Boylesports Irish Derby, a six week campaign which delivered repeated displays of racing brilliance throughout came to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday with the prodigious talent that is Newinn Taylor claiming the title in thrilling fashion.


Billed as a big showdown with record breaking Pestana, that previously unbeaten Owen McKenna trained favourite failed to secure a crucial early lead on the run to the first bend and his final hopes ended when taking a first bend tumble.


Newinn Taylor was not as quick to stride as in his semi-final victory and the Graham Holland star had to show all of his exceptional early pace to overhaul Ballymac Cooper for a lead on the outside. Just turning in advance of that rival, it was Taylor who secured the crucial advantage to the backstraight.


In command to the closing bends, the verdict however was still in the balance as Ballymac Cooper maintained brave chase, but a bigger threat would emerge in the shape of 33/1 shot Meenagh Miracle. The sole bitch in the final had secured second position at the final turns and sure to stay strongly, looked a certain winner entering the home stretch. Switching to the outside however, she scuppered her chances when surrendering ground and while a renewed effort saw her close rapidly to the line, Newinn Taylor held on for a half-length verdict in 29.61.


Already being hailed as a superstar of the sport before claiming the Produce Stake at Clonmel in his twelfth straight victory to commence his career, Newinn Taylor took his astounding record to 14 wins from just sixteen starts and having only turned two years of age in May, he has the racing world at his paws. The champ will not make the trip to Nottingham for the upcoming English Derby but Graham Holland has hinted that the St Leger at Limerick may well be his next big target. In the wake of the final, we learned that Pestana had indeed sustained injury in his first bend fall but connections report that while he won’t race again, he has received the best of care in the interim and when recovered, the record breaker will surely be very busy at stud.

Reckless local Banter in Kasko first round
A major feature of every season at Thurles Greyhound Stadium, the prestigious Kasko Unraced 525 Yard Stake has perennially seen future stars of racing debuting at the Premier circuit and following a sizzling session of opening round heats, local hopes as well represented in 2020.


Opening the event, Peadar O’Dwyer’s Banter Blade (Droopys Nidge/Boxer Princess) proved very forward for his debut outing as he set the early standard in a dominant victory. Clearly at ease with his rails draw in Trap 1, he broke smartly before displaying slick early dash for a comfortable lead at the opening bend. Extending on the run to the back-straight, the Borrisokane hopeful held four lengths over his closest pursuer at halfway and although ceding some late ground to a strong staying rival, was never seriously threatened in a two-length verdict.


Posting 29.53 (-30), the August 2018 youngster left a very pleasing impression and entitled to progress for the experience, his early pace will be a potent weapon in this week’s second round heats.


Joining Banter Blade this Saturday will be the John Byrne trained Reckless Lee (Skywalker Farloe/Mill Felicity) and taking charge for owners Katie Brody-Byrne & Kieran Knowles, the young Knockalton handler has a bright prospect on his hands following a hugely impressive debut victory.


Breaking well from Trap 5, the July 2018 whelp maintained a wide path when contesting the lead on the outside approaching the turn. Forcefully sweeping the bend, the Byrne charge readily struck the front on the approach to the back-straight and had the verdict settled before reaching the halfway point. Maintaining a strong gallop all the way to the line, Reckless Lee hit the line with seven lengths to spare while posting a slick 29.24 (-30). 


That winning time was bettered just once in the eight first round heats and he holds strong claims for a deep run in the event having shown impressive pace at all points of the Thurles circuit.


Galway too delivered winners on Saturday and opening the action in the west, the Premier Syndicate’s Firestone Jet (Greenwell Hulk/No Your Honour) scored an overdue eighth career victory when bouncing back to form in a dominant performance.


A return to his best breaking was the crucial factor as he led his A5 rivals to the opening bend of the 525-yard contest, displaying much the best early dash for a commanding lead upon turning. Five lengths to the good at halfway, the Tommy Ryan trained September 2016 whelp ceded little thereafter and ran out a ready winner with three lengths to spare in 29.43. Celebrating his birthday this week, he will officially reach veteran status before his next outing and may well deliver a further present if repeating this fast break on upgrade to A4.


With two wins from four outings to commence his career, Aoife McGrath’s Foxwood Manny (Droopys Jet/Moanteen Beauty) had displayed far superior pace than his S3 grading suggested, given that he had been slow to stride in both victories. Honing his skills however, a level break from a clearly suitable Trap 1 on Saturday went a long way to revealing his true capabilities in a sparkling S3 victory over 350 yards.


Racing in close quarters for only the very initial exchanges, the Ballinaclough youngster began to ease clear of his rivals when reaching full stride and confirming his powerful early paced prowess, scorched a path to the opening turn. Bounding clear throughout a facile victory, the August 2018 youngster had all of ten lengths to spare at the line when stopping the clock in a sublime 18.76.


A third race win, this performance catapults the McGrath prospect to the top grade for sprint trips while allowed to contest in A3 for 525, should connections choose to return to that sphere. However, with just five starts and likely more progress to come, Foxwood Manny is the latest, and a hugely exciting, young local talent on the Open scene.