Irish Puppy Derby finalist Skywalker Archie (Top Savings-Cabra Fifi, Oct 13) set the standard in the first round of the Henlow Maiden Derby with a flawless display on Sunday night.
Contesting only his second outing for Pete Swadden, the dog who finished last behind Anopheles at Harolds Cross last autumn before dropping down a distance and taking on Ireland’s best sprinters, showed all that early nous over 460m. After a FON sectional (3.69), the 4-7f rated blue stayed on well enough to beat Diablo (a length and a half) in 27.68.
Only marginally slower but running a very different race was Carol Grasso’s local pup Quavors Knight (Burnpark Champ-Millstreet Rose, Oct 14). Making full use of nine previous sightings of the circuit, but only one race, the 27.38 trialist came from last to first to justify 5-4 favouritism. He caught long time leader Chubbys Oak (7-4) in the final strides to win by three quarters of a length in 27.69.
Next quickest on the clock was Wimbledon A1 runner Salthill Monarch (Aero Ardiles-Jennas Pony, May 14). Last early, Ron Peckover’s 4-1 chance caught early leader Leos Lion and then held off Coolavanny Tonti (4-7f) who missed his break and ran on to be beaten just under four lengths in 27.72.
Four of the six heats were won by local runners including a big priced double for Eric Cantillon. First in was 10-1 chance Blackrose Dude (Droopys Cain-Wosie, Sep 14) who beat Roswell Red Kite by a length in 27.83. Then 7-1 chance Blackrose Shareta (Blackstone Gene-Droopys Quinta, Nov 13) beat Brocatsea Hoops by two and a half in 27.86.
The slowest time of the night went to former Hove A1 runner Dusko Popov (Blonde Snapper-Westmead Diva, Aug 14) who held Silvus Magpie by two and a half lengths in 27.97.
