Ballymac Matt kept his unbeaten record in the Boylesports Irish Derby but was surprisingly the slowest quarter final winner over 550 yards at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
Liam Dowling’s runner got away to a flyer and was soon a couple of lengths clear around the opening turn.
The 2-5 favourite stretched his advantage to three lengths down the far side but 10-1 shot Highview Apollo closed up the home straight and was eventually beaten a length in 29.64sec. Fraser Black’s Save The Don was third.
The performance of the round came from Gaytime Hawk in the third qualifier.
Graham Holland’s runner, racing from a less than ideal five draw, flew out of the boxes and led Paradise Maverik, the Cesarewitch winner, around the opening turn.
Maverick got a bump and it was Tyrur Tommy that went second and he eventually finished four and a half lengths behind the winner who clocked a rapid 29.34sec. Farloe Rumble was third.
McKenna has better luck in the opening heat with Farloe Blitz.
The English Derby beaten favourite rocketed out of trap one, producing a flyer 3.29sec split, on his way to beating Blue Cafu by four and a half lengths in 29.44sec. Market leaders Samiya and Rural Hawaii were in the wars around the opening turn and it was Shutthe Backdoor who grabbed the third qualifying spot.
Peregrine Falcon completed a magnificent seven-timer in the last eliminator.
Pat O’Brien’s runner trapped level but forced his way to the front by the turn. Lemon Miley kept close company until the last turn before Cable Bay, the Kirby Memorial winner, came flying up the inside to get within three quarters of a length of the winner by the line, with the strong Jaytee Jet coming through for third place. The winning time was 29.50sec.
Draw for next Saturday’s semi-finals:
First Semi:
1 Gaytime Hawk
2 Farloe Rumble
3 Blue Cafu
4 Tyrur Tommy
5 Cable Bay
6 Jaytee Jet (W)
Second Semi:
1 Ballymac Matt
2 Farloe Blitz
3 Save The Don
4 Highview Apollo
5 Shutthe Backdoor
6 Peregrine Falcon
