TRAPRISE - Duke can dictate in English Derby
We have seen just fleeting glimpses of the John Byrne trained Grouchos Duke this season but always a likely star of racing, he now ensures a hugely exciting presence for the Knockalton kennel in the third round of the 2024 English Greyhound Derby following another high-class qualifying effort on Saturday.
Indeed, the Paddy Last Syndicate’s December 2021 whelp has raced just three times in Ireland since a Juvenile Derby campaign which saw him post a stunning best of 28.19 for the 525-yards at Shelbourne Park last September. Largely unexposed ahead of this Derby tilt, the “Duke” was having just his third race outing of the season when commencing his campaign at Towcester with a pleasing Round 1 passage.
Blessed with blistering early pace over the Derby distance of 550-yards, the Byrne star greatly impressed with backstraight pace before tiring on the home stretch when third to Crafty Shivoo in 29.33. However, with those virtual cobwebs blown away, Grouchos Duke would find stealthy improvement when again front rank throughout Saturday’s second round qualifier.
Drawn in an ideal trap 1 for heat 15, Duke began just behind the early speed of Whyaye Man to his outside but immediately displaying superior pace once in full stride, extended to a strong one length lead while tackling the opening bends. Ably containing that same rival throughout a high-class tussle to the final bend while retaining his advantage, Grouchos Duke would again have his stamina tested on the run to the line but lost little in a three-quarter length defeat as Whyaye Man posted 29.01.
There will be no disappointment with this defeat for any connected to the Byrne kennels but conversely, all will be delighted with the progress shown from the opening round in a sizzling contest. Avoiding any bounce factor, Grouchos Duke improved almost six lengths from his previous qualification and his draw in Heat 5 this Saturday offers the opportunity for further progress!
Housed in trap 2, he will be expected to readily outpace McNeill at trap rise for command of the rails throughout and leading on the inside, can have most to fear in those initial exchanges from the similarly early paced Antigua Hawk for Pat Buckley who is drawn in trap 5. That duo can dictate the race to the closing stages and though the heat contains some strong stayers, clear passage should suffice for Grouchos Duke to safely advance once again. C’mon the Duke!
Mickey sets up hat-trick at Limerick
The regular Thursday SIS fixture at Limerick again commenced the local winning action last weekend as the in-form Kilgarran Mickey (Pestana-Lemon Juliet) went back-to-back at the Dock Road venue for Aoife Loughnane when an impressive winner of the Lucky Last A3 525.
An early career A8 winner at the venue back in March, the September 2022 whelp had returned a string of game performances following his upgrade for that maiden success and confirming strong running abilities over the standard distance, doubled his tally when scoring A3 victory in dominant fashion last time out.
Without a rise on the grading table for that win, the Roscrea pup was drawn in trap 3 on Thursday and was again just moderately to stride. However, remaining within three lengths of the lead while retaining third position around the opening bends, Kilgarran Mickey showed all of his powerful backstraight pace when overhauling the pacesetters at halfway in visually impressive manner. Surrendering some ground when wide into the home straight, the Loughnane winner nonetheless remained in full command and completing his eighth race outing with a two-length winning margin, posted 29.20 in snug style. Staying in A3 grade, clear passage is most likely all that will be required for the completion of his hat-trick!
Healy is hot at Mullingar
A kennel which has remained in prolific form throughout the 2024 season, trainer Vincent McKenna was at it again at Mullingar on Saturday when plundering yet another double achievement as the Garrafrauns Syndicate’s Healy’s Legacy (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Lucia) improved to a quality career best when a slick winner of his S2 400-yard contest.
Rising to the grade with a second career win over the same trip in S4 company on the previous weekend, the August 2022 whelp ably handled the upgrade when very quick to stride from trap 2. Immediately taking command, the Borrisokane pup eased his way to a two-length lead at the opening bend and reducing the race to a virtual solo passage, thereafter, struck the line with three and a half lengths to spare while never sighting a rival. Posting 21.67 (-20), Healy’s Legacy will be obliged to tackle Open company over the sprint distances following this classy third career win.
Sparking the McKenna double on the night, the John Croker owned Crokers Rocket (Droopys Sydney-Crokers Princess) will take leading claims to this week’s final of the Mullingar Supporters A3 Dual Distance Stake following his game semi-final victory. Also securing a third race win, the June 2022 youngster struck the front passing halfway with superior backstraight pace before registering a new personal best of 29.61 (50) in a half-length verdict. Granted clear passage, he will prove tough to contain in Saturday’s decider.