Maasai makes a mark as Diamond takes the Derby

TRAPRISE

Although very much predictable, the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby concluded with one of the defining classic campaigns that racing has ever witnessed, as Bockos Diamond (Dorotas Wildcat-Seaglass Shadow) completed a flawless competition passage with final victory at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.

Having turned two years of age in September, the UK owned, and Graham Holland trained prodigy is already being hailed by many as the greatest ever Derby winner and was completing fifteen victories in-a-row when leading home kennelmate Cheap Sandwiches by a length in 29.25 to claim the €125,000 winner’s prize at odds of 3/10.

Beaten just once in his seventeen-race career, Bockos Diamond has twice posted a previously incredulous 28.94 for the Derby distance and needs just a modicum of longevity, with the racing world presently at his paws, for undisputed claims to that lofty mantle of “the best we’ve ever seen”.

On Saturday, he signed off on the most impressive Derby campaign of the modern era and spare a thought for the Kerry owned Cheap Sandwiches, who is surely the best Derby runner-up we have ever seen!

There was disappointment for trainer Pat Guilfoyle on the big night when Knockeen Dazzler was overhauled in the dying strides of his Derby Plate final, despite a game front running performance, however, Geoff Parnaby’s redoubtable Tarsna Maasai (Droopys Sydney-Tarsna Rose) had local support in full voice when a brilliant winner of the Customise Your Bets With BoyleSports Betbuilder AAO 525.

A hugely game winner under similar conditions on the previous weekend, the Borrisoleigh star confirmed his continued good form when again displaying sizzling early pace following a sharp start from trap 6 and forcefully galloping into the first bend across Dynamic Force, eased his way to a near four length lead at halfway. Ably repelling the late attentions of strong stayer Hawkfield Blue, Tarsna Maasai struck the line with two lengths to spare in a smart 28.47 and will be a big player on the upcoming Night of Stars festival in the capital.

Friday Banter got big Boost

The weekend action at Shelbourne Park had already delivered a high-class victory to celebrate on the Friday fixture as Peadar & Sarah O’Dwyer’s Banter Boost (Roxholme Olaf-Banter Breeze) returned a dominant winner of the Upcoming Winter Racing Festival A2 Dual Distance Stake Final.

Having shed his maiden tag with an impressive trap-to-line performance when claiming semi victory over 575-yards 31.20, the lightly raced Owen McKenna trained October 2022 whelp more than matched that effort when similarly dominant on Friday.

Breaking on terms from trap 5, Banter Boost brushed with a rival to his immediate inside while reaching full gallop but once free to stride out independently, extricated himself from that bother before tracking the pacesetting Old Tricks around the opening bend. Briefly checked at that point, the O’Dwyer charge reached the backstraight within two lengths of the leader and subsequently stamped his authority on the race when striking the front in thoroughly eye-catching manner. In command before tackling the closing turns, Banter Boost powered clear thereafter while visibly relishing the extended four-bend trip and striking the line in isolation, posted 32.62 in a dismissive seven and a half length verdict.

With immense scope in terms of distance, in addition to his inexperience following this fifth career outing, he is a runner to follow very closely over the coming months and beyond.

Cashing in at Limerick

On a busy weekend with a host of smart performances from local challengers, the Friday fixture at Limerick proved particularly fruitful and illuminating dreary wintry conditions with a fastest of the night performance was John O’Meara’s Ballygibbon Cash (Ballymac Cashout-Sive To One).

Last successful at the same level in early October, the April 2022 whelp began on terms from trap 3 within a very level break for the West Side Tools & Johny Downes Transport A0 525 and battling for command of the rails nearing the corner, held off rivals to his outside before fully claiming the lead while turning. Pursued by a persistent rival who raced within two lengths to the crown of the closing bends, Ballygibbon Cash readily dismissed that challenge when drawing further clear in the closing stages. Seeing out the trip stoutly for a snug three and a half-length verdict, the O’Meara favourite posted 28.67 and returns to A0 next time having won five of his latest seven races.

That same Limerick fixture had already delivered a new winner on the local scene as the Toomevara-6 Syndicate’s Toomevara Sheera (King Sheeran-Toomevarabigmike) shed his maiden tag at the second time of asking in the Tommy Micks A6 525.Benefitting for the experience in an October debut outing, the Michael Delaney trained June 2023 pup was more swiftly to stride from trap 3 this time and immediately taking command on the run to the corner, tackled the opening bends with a length in hand.

Thoroughly dominant thereafter while extending his lead with every stride, Toomevara Sheera never sighted a rival while posting 29.20 in an eight-length score. Retaining obvious scope, he may well cope with a rise to A3 next time.