Rural Hawaii set the standard in the semi-finals of the ECC Timber Champion 550 at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
Graham Holland’s Race of Champions winner, the 2-1 favourite, was soon clear and has pulled into a five lengths lead by the halfway mark.
Skywalker Rory went into second and did gain ground on the leader but was still three lengths behind the 29.79sec winner at the line.
Produce Stakes finalist Ballybough Mike reversed heat form with Skip Glory in the opening semi-final.
Murt Leahy’s runner, a 5-1 shot, got first run on the favourite and was a length clear down the far side. Frances O’Donnell’s runner tried to get up the inside at the third turn but got the door slammed in his face and he was eventually beaten two and a half lengths in 29.85sec.
Draw for Saturday’s final:
1 Balline Bolt
2 Hovex Prince
3 Ballybough Mike
4 Skywalker Rory
5 Rural Hawaii (w)
6 Skip Glory (w)
Irish Derby winner Laughil Blake justified odds of 1-3 in the Boylesports Irish Derby Trial Stakes over 550 yards.
Michael O’Donovan’s runner flew out of the boxes and led Laurels winner Midtown Raffa into the opening turn.
He ran very wide on the turns allowing Mossie O’Connor’s dog to close right up before he went three lengths clear again down the back straight.
Midtown Rafffa started to run on again from the last turn but was still two lengths behind the 29.54sec winner at the line. Greenwell Hulk was a further three quarter lengths back in third.
