Derry Greyhounds: La Calabaza fastest in Derby heats

PICTURED ABOVE: Brandywell on Monday; Race 4, The Len Mc Kinney & Track Lotto Brandywell 525 Derby. Rd 1 Ht 2 was won by LA CALABAZA in 29.06. Pictured with (from left) Michael Corr who also won the £50 BGSG Bonus for October, Ceallach Ming making the presentation, John Mc Gorrey & Patsy Doyle from BGSG Committee.

We were treated to four first round heats of the Len McKinney & Track Lotto Derby on Monday evening as part of a 7 race programme at the Brandywell.

Tasha Montgomery’s Derrinasafa Bale (Magical Bale x Derrinasafa Spot, May ’21) has finished in the frame in 6 of his last 7 starts and he converted that consistent form to a win in the first race over 300 yards. Racing from trap 5, Bale was hot on the heels of early leader Mayahs News and ran strong bends on her outside to take up the lead entering the home straight. He held off the late challenge of Golan Mum to win by 0.75 lengths in a career best time of 17.07.

Daniel O’Hagan’s lightly raced Lifes Nippy (Broadstrand Bono x Alien Dawning, Dec ’21) had only 1 previous career success under his collar when he headed to traps in the second race over the sprint distance. Trained by Daniel’s father Cyril, Nippy flashed out of trap 2 and despite being under pressure throughout, got the verdict in a photo finish by a neck in 17.14 to record his first win at this circuit.

The first heat of the Len McKinney & Track Lotto 525 yards Derby saw Dean Toland’s versatile Starcash Barry (Droopys Noah x Lightfoot Marie, Aug ’21) turn the race into a procession with his customary early pace from trap 2. The further he went, the further he stretched his lead, crossing the line in 29.17 with 8.5 lengths to spare over Mineola Redeem in second and Brassneck Max in third. Barry has a great strike rate of 12 wins from 52 starts.

Our Halloween themed podium had an extra pumpkin on it in Heat 2 when Roy Ball & Trevor Pearson’s La Calabaza (Ballymac Bolger x Coolavanny Chick, Nov ’22) clocked 29.06 which was the fastest time of the Derby first round. Fast away from trap 2, Calabaza held her inside pitch at the first turn from Galliagh Bolt on her outside.

They were still battling for the lead at the second turn when Bolt got shuffled back which gifted the race to the Michael Corr trained hound. She stayed on well to finish 5.5 lengths ahead of the gallant Galliagh Bolt with another 2.5 lengths back to Olwinn Seen It.

Kirsty Harpur’s Rossna Millie (Ballymac Bolger x Urban Honey, Jun ’22) was having only her fourth career start as she lined up in Heat 3 of the Derby. She was moderately away from trap 6 and cleverly switched inside the early paced Monroes Kiss on the run to the first bend. Lying in a share of third place, Millie ran the bends well to have the leader in her sights at she entered the back straight.

Brandywell on Monday; Race 1 was won by DERRINASAFA BALE in 17.07. Pictured with (from left) Natasha, Robert & Greta Montgomery.

She was narrowing the deficit on the leader with every stride and sailed past her midway up the home straight to win by 2.5 lengths in 29.20 with Kiss holding on for second. Mulroy Mary took the third qualifying spot a further 4 lengths away in third.

The Mineola Kennels are in great form at present and Seamus McCloskey’s Mineola Oyster (Mineola Farloe x Mineola Coolagh, Sep ’22) carried that form into Heat 4 of the Derby. Evenly away from trap 1, Oyster won the race at the first turn by determinedly holding her inside pitch.

With some crowding in behind her she opened up an unassailable lead on the back straight and had 6.25 lengths to spare crossing the line over her nearest rival Tuttles Bruno who was the 2023 winner of this event.

Moto Sandy held third place to grasp the last coveted qualifying place for next week’s semi-finals.

Brandywell on Monday, Race 5, The Len Mc Kinney & Track Lotto Brandywell 525 Derby. Rd 1 Ht 3 was won by ROSSNA MILLIE in 29.20. Pictured with (from left) Mason Thompson, Kirsty Harpur who is the winning owner & Stuart Harpur.

Kevin O’Kane’s home bred litter had a successful weekend at both Lifford and Brandwell. It was Sniper Orla Wray (Broadstand Bono x Sniper Ria, Aug ’22) that landed the last race at Brandywell with a sizzling performance from trap 1 over the 300 yards. Simply put, she was out, away and gone and it was all over in a smart 16.67.

Action from Lifford Greyhound Stadium

Saturday past saw the semi finals of the Northwest Greyhound Supplies S1/S2 325 take centre stage at Lifford Greyhound Stadium and Follom Wave grabbed this stake by the scruff of the neck for Fermanagh man, John Mohan. With an impressive €1,000 on offer for just two outings, the daughter of Laughil Blake and Dalcash Kalade ensured that she will head into the weekend as the red-hot favourite after making every inch from trap two.

Well supported in the market, the even money chance quickly asserted at traprise and in truth, she made this a formality in drawing clear of nearest rival, Ardnasool Arc, to win by four and a half lengths. The time was a majestic 17.49 and the final qualifier was Sniper Big Joe.

In the opening semi, Import Duty also justified favouritism for Willie Mullan of Derry. This tracker displayed huge early speed at Shelbourne Park in recent outings over the standard trip so the step back to two-bends proved no issues as the January 23’ pup outclassed his rivals. Running from trap three, the son of Bull Run Bolt and Faithful Linda excelled in the early yards and in doing so, swiftly hit the front.

Lifford on Saturday; Race 6 - NWGOBA A3/A4 525 was won by STATION CRACKER in 29.42. Pictured with Andrew White (right) & Kian McGettigan.

Given he had been campaigned over further in recent weeks, Import Duty was never under any threat of being reeled in thereafter and he proved three and a quarter lengths too strong for Ollie Mac in second. The time was 17.70 with Astro Blaze also booking his spot in the decider in third.

Indeed, that wasn’t the only winner for Mullan on Saturday as Effernogue Dave (2/1) made it back-to-back wins. Just a March whelp, ‘Dave’ was headed early on by Kilmacs Best, however, he looked a threat throughout having made strong inroads down the back straight.

Like last week, the son of Ballymac Bolger showed excellent stamina in the closing yards and he duly reeled in his rival late on to win by an extending one and three parts of a length. The time was a good 29.39.

Ray White also recorded a nice double on the card with Do It Kay and Station Cracker both scoring in style. First up was Do It Kay in race two as she secured back-to-back wins at the Northwest venue. A 3/1 chance, the daughter of Broadstrand Bono broke best of all from trap six and after Dreenan Jacko again moved off the opening corner, this ensured the leader manufactured a healthy advantage to cross the line four lengths clear in 17.82.

Shortly after, the early pace of Station Cracker secured the double. Quickly establishing herself as a ping breaker, ‘Cracker’ flew from trap one and in doing so, soon opened up by six lengths down the back.

Lifford on Sunday; Race 8 - Thhe TRACKSIDE RESTAURANT SPRINT OPEN 325 was won in the best time of the night by SNIPER RORO in 17.45. Pictured with Kevin O’Kane.

The petrol gauge was certainly flickering on the run for home, however, she had just enough in reserve to cross the line with a head advantage from Urbanesque in second. The time was 29.42.

On Sunday afternoon, the standout performances came from the sprinters and, not for the first time, one of them hailed from Conor Crossan’s kennel.

READ NEXT: Oakleaf's Carleigh Irving hailed after silver medal success in Sofia

On this occasion it was Ardagh Sorrento that put his rivals to the sword with a terrific display from trap-to-line. A 2/1 chance, the son of Broadstrand Bono and Venice proved too hot to handle for some smart rivals as he ran to a virtual solo in 17.59.

Others to impress on the night were Kevin O’Kane’s Sniper Roro, who beat a top-class field to win in 17.45, while the consistent Zoos Isak, owned by John Grieve, was another to blow his rivals away as he romped to a six length victory in 17.48.