Four spots separated the three quickest quarter final winners of the Star Sports English Derby as Towcester proved that it is a match for any track as a test for a fast greyhound. The Northampton racecourse produced a mixture front running and staying performances, for railers, middles and wides.
(Semis draw below)
First quarter final: Graham Holland’s winter Derby favourite showed fine early to lead up the first quarter final from Fweshfromthesesh who was impeded. It was red from stripes off the second bend though Sesh tangled with Shaneboy Freddie as Astute Missile moved nicely into second. At the stage Bruisers Bullet was back in fifth but as the winner set sail from home, Bullet rallied late to run on for third. Rocket’s 28.99 (-10) would prove the quickest of the four qualifiers.
CLARES ROCKET (t1) and Fweshfromthesesh (t6) at the first bend in the opening Derby Quarter Final. Photo: Steve Nash
Second quarter final: While the first quarter was dominated by inside runners, the second would go to the outside boxes though that hardly looked the case after the first 50 metres. It was British bred pup Carn Brea who led up but he failed to clear Crossfield Hugo who pushed him sideways at the first bend. That allowed Swithins Brae and Forest Con, a run around the outside. They moved into the forecast positions off the second bend with Newinn Blitz in third. Pat Rosney’s runner held onto third place until outstayed for third place by Droopys Buick who was never closer after another slow break.
SWITHINS BRAE (t5) wins the second Derby quarter final from Forest Con (t6) and Droopys Buick (t1). Photo: Steve Nash
Third quarter final: It was proving a good night for Seamus Cahill who had his first two runners through to the semi finals and that was about to get better still. His Droopys Acrobat trapped well from three, was pursued by Sallows Ford and the pair would never be challenged. Pacey Bambi and Cable Bay tangled at the first bend leaving Danzey Exception in third. A late rally by Murrays Act saw him run on for that third qualifying place. The winner’s time on 29.02 was only a neck behind Clares Rocket’s.
DROOPYS ACROBAT (t3) leads at the first bend to win the third Derby Quarter Final, with trouble behind. Photo: Steve Nash
Fourth quarter final: In the final qualifier Derby favourite Tyrur Shay demonstrated what many people refuse to accept, that Towcester suits a fast greyhound as well as any track on either side of the Irish Sea. He chose the quarters to produce one of his less impressive breaks as Hiya Butt did what Hiya Butt does. Smash break – gone. The favourite made his way into fifth off the second bend but was still eight adift of the leader along the backstraight. He moved into third off the last bend, ‘undertook’ Coolavanny Mason on the run-in and collared the brave Butt in the final strides. A fine 29.02 victory.
TYRUR SHAY (t5) catches leader Hiya Butt (t1) and Coolavanny Mason (t2) to win the Star Sports 4th Quarter Final. Defending champ Jaytee Jet (t6) goes out. Photo: Steve Nash
There is an Anglo-Irish flavour to the Star Sports English Derby semi finals. There are four Irish entries still in the event after the quarter finals, they all are drawn in the same qualifier with Tyrur Shay now the sponsor’s 5-2 favourite with Clares Rocket next in at 3-1. Hove adopted Irishman Seamus Cahill has three runners spread between the two.
