After a few near misses in recent years, Liam Dowling finally landed the Irish Derby with Ballymac Matt in the Boylesports sponsored classic over 550 yards at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
Farloe Blitz was the one punters wanted to back and went to traps the even money favourite and when he shot clear on the run-up they must have thought that he was home and hosed.
In what was almost an action replay of the semi-final, Farloe Blitz was around three and a half lengths in front of Ballymac Matt by halfway but in contrast to last week whereby Ballymac Matt had failed to pick up Farloe Blitz, he made giant strides into the third turn and checked up slightly behind the leader.
Farloe Blitz was still in front on the run for home but the field were closing and Ballymac Matt got up close home to edge out Owen McKenna’s long-time leader by three quarters of a length with McKenna also providing the third with Farloe Rumble, who was a similar distance back in third.
Trainer’s son Shane Dowling said: “It has been a great team effort at home with my father and my aunt Jane doing great work with the dog.
“Matt won five rounds of the Derby and when he was beaten last week by Farloe Blitz I still thought he could do it.
“He’s only just gone two and is definitely a dog for next year.”
Liam added: “Hopefully it is the first of three this weekend for Kerry (All-Ireland football finals taking place in Dublin on Sunday).
“We had been knocking on the door in the Derby and we kept trying until it finally opened.”
Laughil Duke was an easy winner of the Ger McKenna / Seamus Graham Derby Plate over 550 yards.
Pat Guilfoyle’s runner led from the opening turn and went on to beat Gyp Rosetti by two and a half lengths in 29.55sec.
The son of Premier Fantasy has now won nine of his 20 races.
Jaytee Jet was ultra-impressive in the Consolation Derby Final.
Paul Hennessy’s runner made a better than usual start and led up. He ran the first two bends as if they were straights and pulled right away. He eventually beat Lemon Miley easily in 29.30sec.
Islandbridge Sprint winner Catherines Drico was a fast winner of the Boylesports Sprint over 350 yards.
Ronnie McKeown’s runner blasted out of the traps and made all to score a three length victory over Kilmore Drifter in 18.53sec.
Anne Moran’s Two Bens was soon in front in the Boylesports 750 to score a four and a half length victory over Glanmire Prince in 41.55sec.
Sporting Press Oaks winner Ballydoyle Honey came back to form in the Bitches 525 race when she gave a start and a four length beating to Munster Oaks winner Mandeville Best in 28.25sec.
Last year’s Derby Finalist Vulturi looked good over 750 yards in the Download the Boylesports App Stakes when leading from start to finish to slam Deanridge Pennys by Four and a half lengths in 41.55sec.
