TRAPRISE - Kobe claims an Other Derby title for Killenaule’s O’Donnell

A greyhound dynasty with repeated remarkable achievements at elite level over generations, the Killenaule kennels of Jennifer O’Donnell mimicked the back-to-back Derby winning achievement of her illustrious dad when guiding The Other Kobe to victory in the €125,000 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.

It was in 1991 when the late Matt O’Donnell steered Ardfert Mick to victory having claimed the first of three Derby successes with The Other Toss a year earlier, but there is arguably even more merit to his daughter’s achievement now as 2023 champion The Other Kobe (Ballymac Best-Mountaylor Queen) is a litter brother to Jennifer O’Donnell’s 2022 winner Born Warrior, from a litter of just three pups which she bred herself! Add 2012 victory for Skywalker Puma under the handling of her mam Frances, and the O’Donnell Derby exploits read like outrageous fantasy which could scarcely be believed if not witnessed!

Brilliant in 29.15 victory at quarterfinal stage, the semi winner was rattling off a hattrick in the final and taking advantage of a scorching fast Shelbourne circuit on Saturday last, led throughout following a swift start from trap 2. Stretching to a four-length halfway lead over Bockos Crystal as our local hope Music Glideaway was ushered back through the field when bumped at the opening bends following his moderate break, The Other Kobe repelled the late challenge of the gallant Bockos Crystal by a diminishing half-length in a brilliant 29.11 for the 550-yards, with the fast-finishing Bens Teddy a further length back in third.

Disappointed with a sixth-place finish in the main event, there was some compensation for trainer Pat Guilfoyle on the night when prevailing in one of the hottest races of the season, concluding the Derby night action with a stunning winning performance from Cheryl Sutcliffe’s Scaglietti (Magical Bale-Outdoor Roller) in the Customise Your Bet With BoyleSports Betbuilder Open 575.

Breaking well from trap 2, the Moneygall charge tracked exalted rival Ballinbola Ed throughout the early exchanges but remained a threatening presence when never more than a length adrift along the backstraight. Ranging up on the leader’s inside at the third turn, Scaglietti was checked back to a two-length deficit upon turning but rallying in most determined fashion, once again challenged on the inside off the final turn.

Proving too string on the run to the line, Scaglietti confirmed his place amongst the top percentage of elite racers when posting a brilliant 30.85 in a three-quarter length verdict.

Duke excites in Juvenile Derby

Having suffered defeat when a warm order for his novice stake final in the outset of his career at Shelbourne Park last month, the Paddy Last Syndicate’s Grouchos Duke (Grangeview Ten-Mystical Luna) nonetheless remained one of the most exciting puppy prospects of the entire sport and his much-anticipated reappearance could hardly have gone any better as he concluded the opening round heats of the 2023 TIME Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby in stunning fashion on Friday.

Breaking on level terms from trap 3, the John Byrne trained 2021 whelp immediately began to ease clear with his slick early dash delivering a two length first bend lead before easing further clear to the backstraight. Reaching his five-length winning margin over Ballymac Seanie by halfway, Grouchos Duke stopped the clock in a sizzling 28.19, laying down a big marker as a big outright fancy in the event which continues this week.

Five equals two at Galway

There was further local success to cheer on Friday when the Nenagh kennels of Paul Hogan returned a smart double on the early part of Galway’s fixture, and it was Five Alley Star (Kinloch Brae-Vinneys Beauty) who sparked the brace while extending her smart career start in the opening A5 525 contest.

Returning from a two-month layoff when a strong staying winner under the same conditions in the middle of last month, the August 2021 whelp was seeking a third win from just seven starts on Friday and once producing her best break from an ideal trap 1, the progressive Hogan charge would always prove difficult to contain when in a share of the lead at the opening bend. Turning with command of the rails, Five Alley Star predictably saw out the trip well for a three and a half length verdict in a new personal best of 29.23 (-10) and she should not fear a rise to A3 next time.

The second leg of the kennel double would arrive within the half-hour and taking his win tally to five was Paul Hogan & Dinny O’Brien’s Five Alley Din (Ballymac Best-Annual Tears) as the in-form sprinter dominated the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust 350.

Third last time out following victory under the same conditions, the January 2021 whelp was up to his very best when breaking on terms from trap 5 and easing to a one length lead at the corner, Five Alley Din duly stretched clear while turning. Striking the line with a commanding four and a half lengths to spare in 19.16 (-5), an opportunity in the same grade next time will see him tough to contain next time.

The winning action last week once again commenced on the Thursday fixture at Limerick with local kennels topping and tailing the results as firstly, Martin Kennedy’s Gortglas Dream (Magical Bale-Our Marys Dream) bounced back to form for a career best in a trap-to-line performance while claiming A5 victory over 525-yards.

Twice a runner-up since last successful in A8 grade at the outset of her career, the September 2021 whelp had twice filled runner-up spot in the interim but swifter to stride from an ideal trap 1 draw this time, the Kennedy youngster led throughout an improved showing.

Tackling the opening bend with a length in hand, Gortglas Dream all but settled the race when in command to halfway but was forced to display pleasing resolve when containing a strong staying rival close home for a three-quarter length verdict in 28.94 (+10). She will now rise to a career high of A2 but if reproducing this latest smart break, can be expected to handle the upgrade.

Rounding out the same Thursday fixture and also at A5 525 level was Gandolfini (Cabra Firmino-Cabra Twister) for young Jack Moyles as the progressive pup gained overdue reward for a consistent career start with maiden victory at the ninth time of asking.

Twice a runner-up with steady improvement before Thursday’s assignment, the October 2021 whelp made his best start to date from a suitable pitch on the rails and once on the bunny with a one-length lead at the opening bend, dominated thereafter. Easing clear along the backstraight, Gandolfini had reached his five-length winning margin by halfway and seeing out the trip well, posted a new best of 29.06 (+10) which will bring a rise to A3 next time.