Friday
Only one place to start on Friday and that was the track record breaking run of Clona Duke in heat 12.
The RPGTV Juvenile Derby and recent Time Nutrition Select Stakes winner had stepped up to 500 metres in a trialstake with a 28.97 run before shaving three spots off the recently set Towcester clock set by kennelmate *Swords Rex. With seven of the 11 winners having 1111 1st bend positions on the night, Duke looks the real deal having also set the sectional record of 3.98.
(*Ballymac Marino equalled Rex’s old record later in the meeting.)
Time comparisons are difficult though there seems little doubt that they are quicker, most likely due to changes in the traps/timing mechanism. When Lautaro set a new track record of 28.84 last year, there was only one other 29.00 run in the first round, Ballinabola Ed (28.97). This year there were ten, headed by Clona Duke’s 28.73. All of which would suggest that the clock is likely to go again.
Overall it was a decent night for the layers with six favourites and a joint favourite all chinned. Although there were no major shocks, only three winners returned at bigger than 6-4. They included the 2022 finalist Savana Beau whose 29.08 was the quickest of his career; his previous PB was 29.20.
Over the three nights, favourites won 16 of the 31 first round heats.
One of the biggest mysteries concerns the Derby sectionals. On Thursday, there were two sub-4.10 splits. On Friday there were eight including a 3.98 by track record breaker Clona Duke. Yet on Saturday, the fastest sectional was 4.13.
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Finish of the night as Thunder Black (t4 far left) holds on by two short heads from Jacktavern Bella (t1) and Brinkleys Magic (t2), with Barefoot Supremo (t3) a close up fourth. Photo © Steve Nash
Winner MAGICAL KYLE (t1) and You Two (t5) dispute the lead round the opening turn in heat 16. Photo © Steve Nash
JET STREAM WIND wins heat 14 in 29.15 Photo © Steve Nash
Irish 1-2-3 coming up in Friday’s final heat, as Gaytime Nero (t2 Graham Holland) leads Boylesports Gift (t1 Paul Hennessy) and Sogna In Grande (t5 John Kennelly) at the bend. That was the finishing order, WT 28.95. Photo © Steve Nash
FAYPOINT SUSIE leads at the first bend (4.01 sect) in Friday’s opener (heat 11 overall), going on to win in 29.03 for John Mullins.
Star Sports/TRC Derby First Round heats. Photo © Steve Nash
BALLYMAC MARINO leads early on his way to impressive 28.76 in heat 20, where kennelmate Ballymac Johnjo (t6 left) was to provide Liam Dowling with the forecast. Photo © Steve Nash
BROOKSIDE RICHIE wins in 28.84 Photo © Steve Nash
