Farloe Blitz lowered the colours of ante-post favourite Ballymac Matt as Gaytime Hawk again set the standard in the semi-finals of the Boylesports Irish Derby over 550 yards at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
The race everyone was interested in was the ‘match’ between long-odds favourite Ballymac Matt, unbeaten at Shelbourne Park and Farloe Blitz, who was vying for favouritism in the market.
Farloe Blitz the even money favourite got away to a flyer and was a length and a half clear of his rival around the opening turn with Peregrine Falcon in third place.
Owen McKenna’s runner opened up along the far side to go almost four lengths clear and although his stride shortened on the home straight he still had three quarters of a length in hand of Ballymac Matt at the line to record 29.54sec. Peregrine Falcon was in third three and a half lengths away.
Gaytime Hawk, already the fastest runner in the Derby this year, clocked the second fastest time when landing the other eliminator.
Graham Holland’s runner, a 6-4 shot, came away running and was a length clear of Farloe Rumble and Tyrur Tommy around the first bend.
The chasing pair appeared to close along the back straight as Gaytime Hawk took a middle course into the third turn but he pulled away again and went on to score a two and a half length victory over Farloe Rumble in 29.41sec. Cable Bay finished strongly grabbing the third qualifying place.
Allen Wizard clocked the fastest time in the semi-finals of the Ger McKenna / Seamus Graham Memorial Derby Plate over 550 yards.
The Ace Hi Rumble dog got a flying start and went on to hold the strong Slippery Snowy in 29.65sec.
Laughil Duke came with a strong late run in the opening qualifier to force his way through at the third turn and beat Tynwald Rodney by two lengths in 29.77sec.
Draws for next Saturday’s final:
1 Farloe Blitz
2 Cable Bay
3 Ballymac Matt
4 Peregrine Falcon
5 Gaytime Hawk
6 Farloe Rumble
1 Allen Wizard
2 Tynwald Rodney
3 Gyp Rosetti
4 Laughil Duke
5 Highview Premier
6 Slippery Snowy
