Irish Derby first round: Farley Blitz fastest in Friday heats
Farley Blitz sets the standard a tad bit higher in the Irish Derby after clocking the fastest time of 29.57sec at Shelbourne Park on Friday.
The Owen Mckenna-trained charge was unsurprisingly priced very short as a 1-2 favourite in the second heat of the night (heat 9), and managed to pay dividends with ease as he displayed immense pace from trap two to pick up a victory by seven lengths.
Brian Kirwan’s Monlesa Alsation (5-2) also set an impression by claiming the second fastest time of the night (29.63sec), which is also a length faster than yesterday’s hero, Fatboyz Tyson’s time (29.71sec).
The second stage of the first round mainly saw favourites landing the heats, but anyone who had backed Frisky Fantasy (10-1) in heat 16 would have coined in nicely. The John Mcgee-trained charge showed great early pace to take command at the first bend and powered clear to beat a tough pack of runners in 29.84sec.
Blitz has been installed as the ante-post market fancy to take the Derby after his performance last night; the sponsors have prices him as 12-1 to go all the way and claim the €120,000 winners prize and trophy.
Friday heat 9-16 qualifiers:
Heat 9 – 20:10
1. Freedom Seacrest (30.10sec)
2. Coookies Fantasy (30.24sec)
3. Wise Signal (30.29sec)
4. Milly Marina (30.34sec)
Heat 10 – 20:25
1. Farley Blitz (29.57sec)
2. Hold On Buddy (30.13sec)
3. Killacolla Glory (30.55sec)
4. Thorn Brae Brett (30.62sec)
Heat 11 – 20:40
1. Cartiers Dazzle (30.08sec)
2. Lassa Extreme (30.15sec)
3. Must Be Cantona (30.20sec)
4. Tyrur Leo (30.41sec)
Heat 12 – 20:55
1. Tyrur McGuigan (30.09sec)
2. Kilmalady Torres (30.11sec)
3. Kiowa Myth (30.21sec)
4. Nighthawk Boy (30.28sec)
Heat 13 – 21:10
1. Definate Opinon ( 29.81sec)
2. Ned From Donard (29.82sec)
3. Tyrur Bucko (30.73sec)
4. Carib King (30.80sec)
Heat 14 – 21:25
1. Monlesa Alsation (29.63sec)
2. De Ex Factor (29.84sec)
3. Jonny Whitesox (29.98sec)
4. Tyrur Dylan (29.99sec)
Heat 15 – 21:40
1. Tullymurry Act (29.87sec)
2. Dalcash Scolari (30.15sec)
3. Dream Walker (30.29sec)
4. Clonkeen Stan (30.30sec)
Heat 16 – 21:55
1. Frisky Fantasy (29.84sec)
2. Forest Rover (30.15sec)
3. Thurlesbeg Joker (30.29sec)
4. Tyrur Thursday (30.36sec)
The opening round concludes tonight. The draw for the second round, next Thursday and Saturday, will take place after racing.
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