BUMPER OPENING ROUND OF ‘TIME’ CLUB GRADERS DERBY CONCLUDES

Peter Farrell

Saturday night brought the opening round of the TIME Club Graders Derby to a close, with a further twelve heats on the card. As expected in such a competitive event, the contests were fiercely competitive, with little separating the runners on the clock.

The standout performance of the evening came from Zanoosh, who produced a dazzling display to stop the clock in 28.65. However, despite that impressive effort, both Zanoosh and Petulance, who clocked 28.83, exited the competition under the 28.90 time-finding stipulation. Of those who successfully progressed, Cloneen Alainn and Da Brake were among the most impressive, each recording commanding victories in their respective heats.

With the field now reduced from 144 runners to just 72, the competition is set to intensify in the coming rounds, and this hugely popular event is taking shape nicely.

HEAT WATCH

Heat 13 - The opening heat on night two was landed by Bosra Bono, who arrived from Galway to win in trap-to-line fashion. Owned by Maurice Mullaney, the now veteran went off at odds of 3/1 and showed first at traprise to dictate proceedings from three. Always in charge, the son of Broadstrand Bono - Ballymac Velvet never looked under threat as he crossed the line two and a half lengths clear of Garren Delta in second. The time was 29.41 with Short Blue claiming third.

Heat 14 - The Michael Ryan-owned Leftthelighton has had something of a stop-start career up to this point but the heavyweight ran a fine race to double his career tally. Drawn in three, the 3/1 shot broke well and showed a nice turn of early speed to just head Bogger Bert to the bend. In doing so, the son of Deerjet Sydney - Beamingboomerang set a good gallop and despite being asked questions late on by Bundle Of Fivers, held on gamely to score. Rossa Bella taking third, the time was 29.23.

Heat 15 - Gortkelly Bart (Droopys Got It - Gortkelly Sorcha) may have tasted defeat in his first two starts around Kilkenny, but he caught the eye in spite of that and duly shed his maiden tag in heat fifteen. Owned by Andrew Murray, the September pup used his inside berth to his advantage as he shot up the inside to take control from two. The 3/1 chance set a powerful gallop thereafter and he crossed the line one and a half lengths clear of the fast-finishing Dakota Spirit in second. The time was 29.09 with Ballysloe Max booking his spot in third.

Heat 16 - Suthida Lloyd was represented by Knockroe Jersey in the sixteenth contest and the blue-brindle continued her strong winning record with another hard-fought win. Drawn in trap one, her early pace was key to victory as the daughter of Coolavanny Hoffa - Monadreen Pearl broke best of all to lead early doors. In doing so, trouble in behind allowed her to open a sizable advantage and she was able to fend off the even money favourite, Ballymac Agatha, to claim a fifth victory. The 3/1 chance stopped the clock in 29.32 as Kells Beauty took third.

Heat 17 - Cloneen Alainn produced a perfect performance in this contest as she ran the 28.90 barrier to a mere spot for joint owners Laura Britton and Dara Browne. Running in just her second race in ten months, she was headed early on by Drombeg Bucko but tracked the leader well to the halfway mark. At this point, ‘Alainn’ took charge of proceedings as the daughter of Pestana - Cloneen Valerie turned the screw to claim a two length victory over Allstar Tony in second. The time was 28.91 with Drombeg Bucko taking third.

Heat 18 - While the previous heat winner just about stayed within the time limit, there was no such luck for Zanoosh as he blitzed both his rivals and the time stipulation. Trained by Declan McDonagh for the Sawdust-Syndicate, the August puppy went to traps as a 7/2 chance but made light work after taking charge on the run-up. Opening a sizable lead at the halfway mark, the son of Dromana Bucko - Coronation was clearly producing nice figures as he crossed the line six and a half lengths clear of Faraway Queen in second. The time was 28.65 with Jacktavern Jenny taking third. Eliminated - Zanoosh; promoted - Musical Queen.

Heat 19 - Like heat seventeen, Da Brake (9/4) was another to run the time clock close as he won in a brisk 28.91 for Brendan Matthews and Molly Finn. The September pup came into this event winless, however, was immediately in charge from trap one on this occasion. As a result, the superbly bred son of Droopys Flytline - Million Dreams never looked like being reeled in and he kept enough in reserve to hold off Bright Mustang by two lengths. The remaining qualifying spot went the way of Sets Inthe City in third.

Heat 20 - It was a night to be out in front at Limerick and Tipsy Ailbhe (9/4) made it two wins from her last three outings in heat twenty for John Kealy. The strapping blue donned the red jacket and she wasted no time in taking charge as she pinged out to post a 1.25 sectional. Amazing Power was the even money favourite and he set off in chase of the leader down the back, however, his efforts were in vain as the winner crossed the line three and a half lengths too strong. The time was 29.04 with Orchid Champ taking third.

Heat 21 - The Adam Dunford-trained Petulance was to prevail in impressive fashion in heat twenty-one, however, it would prove the end of the line in respect of this Derby as he went a length inside the 28.90 barrier. Owned by The-King-Pins-Syndicate, Petulance went off at odds of 2/1 and she set her stall out early, taking charge on the run-up from her wide berth in six. Thereafter, it proved a routine victory for the daughter of Tommy Shelby as she crossed the line with four and a half lengths to spare over Dromtrasna Lass in second. The time was 28.83 as Thanks Aoife claimed third. Eliminated - Petulance; promoted - Kerryroad Al.

Heat 22 - Brian Robinson made the long trip from Co.Tyrone worthwhile in heat twenty-two as Eimears Lady looked right at home in her Dock Road surroundings. Sent off at odds of 2/1, she came away well to sit second early on from trap two. The daughter of Dorotas Wildcat, owned by Gerard Quinn, continued to stalk Lemon Arnold for the majority of the contest before delivering a late surge to chin the longtime leader close home. One length better off, the time was 29.28 with Brotherhood claiming third.

Heat 23 - In the penultimate heat of the night, Magical Grayson justified 6/4 favouritism for Patrick Guilfoyle. An eye-catcher on debut when posting 29.23 from off-the-pace, the November pup took charge from the outset this time around to lead from trap four. In doing so, the son of Magical Bale - Magical Chanel stretched clear of his rivals to emerge a five and a half length victor over Kerryroad Pa in second. The time was 28.97 with Private Luna sealing the all-important third qualifying position.

Heat 24 - The concluding heat saw Hello Oppy bring up his half-dozen with a make-all success for David Hickey. A very experienced tracker, the four-year-old was a 7/2 chance in the market and came away racing from trap two to scrape the paintwork on the run-up. Setting a powerful gallop down the back, it then proved a straightforward night’s work for the son of Jaytee Taylor as he stayed on strongly to seal a four length win over Millmount Jacko in second. The time was 29.19 and the third qualifying position was claimed by Grangeview Vixen in third.

***TIME CLUB GRADERS DERBY SECOND-ROUND DRAW SET FOR TUESDAY***

Owners and trainers are advised that, following the conclusion of the opening round of the TIME Club Graders Derby at Limerick on Saturday night, the second-round trap draw will take place on Tuesday, June 2nd.

The original 144 entries have now been whittled down to 72 runners, with the second-round card for the €20,000-to-the-winner competition set to be published online on Tuesday afternoon.