Irish Derby second round: Cabra Legend polishes off nicely
Cabra Legend was the pace setter at Shelbourne Park on Thursday night as the first set of the second round heats for the Ladbrokes Irish Derby took off. The Graham Holland-trained charge led throughout heat six to clock the fastest time of the night, 29.73sec.
Legend (4-1) took the heat by over two lengths to overpower Michael Costello’s Lassa Extreme (5-1), whilst the favourite Krug Ninety Five (evens) who finished third in the English Derby managed to bag the last qualification spot in 30.15sec.
Ante-post fancy Farley Blitz (7-4) was also present on the scene and retained his position in the markets after landing heat seven, which may not have been the fastest race but was surely the performance of the night.
Blitz pinged with great authority to gain the early advantage at the first bend, to eventually come home by over six lengths to beat Irish Puppy champion Tullymurry Act (7-2) in 29.81sec.
PJ Fahy expected a big run from Tryrur Enda (2-1) in the same heat, and his charge tried hard to match the pace of Blitz but failed on the night, to finishing third in 30.31sec.
Heat three saw another dog, Killacolla Glory (7-1) impress, after the John Paul Fitzgerald’s charge was shaded out of traps by veteran Ballymac Under (4-1), but challenged well at the second bend and drew clear from the third to win by six and a half lengths in 29.77sec.
Ian Seymour has former English Derby winner Kinda Ready’s (4-1) traditional late burst to be grateful for as he picked up a qualification spot in heat two, a race which looked as if Ready was on his way to an early exit – before the dog managed to secure second by a short head right at the end. Razledazl Lord (3-1) took the heat by four lengths in 29.82.
The top three in each heat qualify through to the third round stage of the competition which will take place on Saturday 21st August.
Thursday heat 1-8 qualifiers:
Heat 1 – 20:25
1. Freedom Seacrest (29.99sec)
2. Tyrur Mcguigan (30.04sec)
3. Whatsupjack (30.25sec)
Heat 2 – 20:40
1. Razldazl Lord (29.82sec)
2. Kinda Ready (30.10sec)
3. Westmead Grant (30.11sec)
Heat 3 – 20:55
1. Killacolla Glory (29.77sec)
2. Ballymac Under (30.22sec)
3. Oran Jaguar (30.36sec)
Heat 4 – 21:10
1. Highview Shadow (30.16sec)
2. Dromore Hero (30.16sec)
3. Foyle Storm (30.21sec)
Heat 5 – 21:25
1. Blazers Black (29.84sec)
2. Definate Opinion (29.91sec)
3. Clonkeen Stan (30.08sec)
Heat 6 – 21:40
1. Cabra Legend (29.73sec)
2. Lassa Extreme (29.94sec)
3. Krug Ninety Five (30.15sec)
Heat 7 – 21:55
1. Farley Blitz (29.81sec)
2. Tullymurry Act (30.30sec)
3. Tyrur Enda (30.31sec)
Heat 8 – 22:10
1. Ballymac Tipp (29.82sec)
2. Barefoot Bullet (29.83sec)
3. Hare Mack (30.11sec)
[The second round heats will continue on Saturday at Shelbourne Park]
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