Derby halfway times are sponsored by Star Sports
Derby favourite Swords Rex was the quickest hound to halfway in the Derby second round after producing a 15.61 split in our unofficial ‘halfway’ sectionals, as digitally recorded by Mark Pierrepont.
Though far from being a fabulous trapper, Rex has tremendous early pace and invariably hits the front within the first 20 yards.
Interestingly, his second round run was seven spots quicker than the first round (the split time of 4.08 was three spots faster). But there is more in hand! In a Derby trialstake in early May, Rex really did ‘smash the lids’ for a 3.96 split leading to a ‘halfway’ of 15.54.
Undulation found one spot on her first round ‘halfway’ while Romeo Magico stepped up almost six lengths (16.18/15.71). Following his disastrous break, Clona Duke was back 54 spots, though 43 of those came in those first 58 metres between the trap and winning line first time.
Paul Hennessy’s Mcneil showed himself as the strongest finisher in the second round with a 13.11 run from halfway to the winning line.
The Gowran based handler handpicks his ‘Towcester types’ – remember Priceless Jet and Hello Hammond – and the 37 kilo Mcneil entirely fits the bill. The 37 kilo was actually a spot slower this week than last when Ballyhimikin Mel led the list with a 13.03. That said, the track (or conditions) definitely seemed a little slower this time around.
That is possibly backed up by the run of Maree Champion, who was joint second quickest this week (third last week) even though he was six spots slower. Savana Beau on the other hand improved half a length, Ballyhimikin Leo improved almost four lengths on his previous run.
Inevitably Swords Rex heads the list though his overall winning time was back a couple of spots. Romeo Magico and Romeo Command found 46 and 51 spots respectively.
Overall though, 32 of the 48 qualifiers recorded slower times in the second round than the first.
