Shawfield hosts Bettor.com Scottish Derby 1st Round on Saturday
The first round of Bettor.com Scottish Derby produced a lot of drama at Shawfield on Saturday, March 31, 2012. The venue hosted eight 480 metres' first round heats, with the opening sprint getting underway at 19:45 GMT.
It was an expected result for most of the bookies, as the 8-11 favourite, Mill Maximus, dominated the affairs all the way through.
After coming out the trap, the black dog stopped the clock in 29.00 seconds.
The runner-up, Skywalker Louie, was unable to disturb him, as he remained behind by six and a half lengths.
Heat 2 saw Tudor Prince topping the chart by four lengths. After coming out of the black box, the black dog did not look behind, crossing the wire in 29.10 seconds.
Mutual Decision finished second, whereas the third spot went to Hats My Diamond.
The third heat was dominated by Boher Paddy, trained by Charlie Lister. The black dog covered the distance in 28.67 seconds, beating Barefoot Allstar by 6¾ lengths.
Despite his clear run, the runner-up was unable to challenge Boher Paddy, who will be a major player in the second round.
As expected, Boher Legend displayed a thumping performance in the fourth heat.
The 2-5 favourite was given a real hard time by Fifis Legend, however, Lister’s black dog eventually sealed the victory by a short head distance.
Heat 5 produced a huge upset.
Sent as 6-1, Lanrigg Paddy, made it to the winning post in 29.19 seconds, seizing first place by one and a quarter lengths.
It was an embarrassing outcome for Dream Walker, who was the 5-4 favourite for the race.
The sixth heat saw Taylors Cruise performing to his reputation.
The 4-6 favourite did not let anyone spoil his party and clinched the victory by 5¾ lengths.
Mill Pegasus could not challenge Taylors Cruise, but he managed to beat Barquin Rocky by a couple of lengths.
E. Parker’s Droopys Cristian exhibited a fine show to register victory in the seventh heat. The black dog secured top slot by one and a quarter lengths, clocking the area in just 29.18 seconds.
Mill Bling Bling also lived up to his expectations, nabbing a comprehensive triumph in the eighth and final heat of the first round.
Despite being crowded at third bend, he managed to keep all of his rivals under pressure, reaching the winning post in 29.25 seconds.
Lister emerged as the most successful trainer on the day, as three of his trainees tasted success.
Following are the draws for Tuesday’s second round:
Heat one: 1 Fifis Legend, 2 Taylors Cruise, 3 Hats My Diamond (m), 4 Citizen Rebel (m), 5 Droopys Cristian (w), 6 Trickys On Fire (w).
Heat two: 1 Mutual Decision, 2 Caledonian Brae, 3 Skywalker Louie, 4 Mill Maximus, 5 Killieford Blaze, 6 Bowtime Sykes (w).
Heat three: 1 Mill Bling Bling, 2 Barquin Rocky, 3 Tudor Prince (m), 4 Liosgarbh Champ (m), 5?Cuil Hawk (w), 6 Lanrigg Paddy (w).
Heat four: 1 Boher Paddy, 2 Mill Pegasus, 3 Barefoot Allstar, 4 Grayslands Bubba (m), 5 Mags Gamble (m), 6 vacant.
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