And then there was one!
The elimination of Crafty Shivoo and the defeat of The Other Kobe means that long time Derby favourite King Memphis goes into the semi finals of the 2024 Star Sports & TRC English Derby semi finals as the event’s only unbeaten runner.
The Liz McNair trained home bred received a favourable draw in the quarter finals, an opportunity that he ruthlessly exploited. Slightly behind Whyaye Man at traprise, where he broke roughly level with Ballinabola Ed, the Memphis dragster powered into the first bend and beyond. His Derby CV which showed previous wins in 28.58EqTR (+10), 28.78 and 28.74 was updated with the fastest run of the night, 28.65.
The opening heat appeared to be at the mercy of Crafty Shivoo – provided she trapped somewhere near her best. She didn’t. Droopys Pivotel trapped first and was soon moving across. In the meantime, Superfast Gorden saw the opportunity to edge middle and he took it. Meanwhile, Churchfield Syd took a solo on the outside and would never be headed in 29.08. Behind him Pivotel held on for second with defending champ Gaytime Nemo denying Shivo a place in the semis by a head.
So far, the Derby has been dominated by front runners and that looked to be the case when The Other Kobe powered to the front in the third quarter final. But for the first time, the 2023 Irish Derby winner looked vulnerable. In a race virtually bereft of trouble, Ballymac Slick took full advantage. The Dowling runner showed fine trackcraft, but realistically did no more than might be expected by winning in 29.12.
But if there was one hound for whom leading would be a welcome bonus, it was Boylesports Bob. Throughout the competition nothing has come home stronger from the third bend than Paul Hennessy’s runner and when he came away with them – his 4.08 sectional followed a 4.36 in his previous outing, the result was almost inevitable. Although he didn’t get such a clear run as Churchfield Syd in the opener, Bob was happy to see the railers getting in each other’s way, though that should take nothing away from an exceptional 28.68 run.
CHURCHFIELD SYD wins the first Derby Quarter Final from Droopys Pivotel (t4) with defending champ Gaytime Nemo (t2) in third. Photo: Steve Nash
Full strectch: King Memphis (t1) leads at the turn from Ballinabola Ed (t6) with Whyaye Man (t3) in contention, in the second Star Sports TRC Derby Quarter Final. Photo: © Steve Nash
BALLYMAC SLICK (t5) finishes strongly on the outside to catch The Other Kobe (t3 right) in the third Derby Quarter Final (reduced to fiive runners). Edwards (t1) also qualified for the semis for Patrick Janssens at the expense of kennelmate Droopys Doughnut (t6), who had set the early pace. Photo: Steve Nash
BOYLESPORTS BOB gives an exhibition display in the fourth Derby Quarter Final, winning by over ten lengths in 28.68. Photo: Steve Nash
SEMI FINALS
Current odds: 11/8 De Lahdedah, 6/4 Boylesports Bob, 9/2 Gaytime Nemo, 16/1 Whyaye Man, 20/1 Edwards 25/1 Coss Tokyo
Current odds: 10/11 King Memphis,11/4 The Other Kobe, 11/2 Ballymac Slick, 7/1 Churchfield Syd, 16/1 Droopys Pivotel, 25/1 Ballymac Gizmo
