Ballydoyle Honey, the Sporting Press Oaks winner was the surprise elimination from the third round of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby over 550 yards at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.

Graham Holland’s bitch could never recover from a slow start and eventually finished fourth to Tyrur Tommy.

P.J. Fahy’s runner had led from trap to line to score a two and a half length victory over Offshore Brave in 29.79sec. Champion Stakes winner Sidarian Vega finished third.

Produce Stakes runner-up Amazing Dude was another high profile elimination for Holland in heat seven. He missed his break and was never a factor in the race won by Ballydoyle Honey’s sister Samiya, who led at halfway to beat Priceless Lassie by six lengths in 29.50sec.

Ballymac Matt, for the third week running, set the standard in the fourth heat. Liam Dowling’s runner flew out of the boxes and made very yard to beat Highview Apollo by three lengths in 29.44sec.

Farloe Blitz, the ante-post second favourite was beaten for the first time in the competition in heat five.

Owen McKenna’s runner was poorly drawn in trap six but was soon clear. However he was picked up close home by Gaytime Hawk, who held the strong Kirby Memorial winner Cable Bay by half a length with Farloe Blitz a neck back in third.

Peregrine Falcon completed a six-timer when landing the sixth qualifier.

Pat O’Brien’s runner, the 7-4 favourite, was soon clear and went on to beat Golden Muzzle winner Ivy Hill Bart by three and a half lengths in 29.50sec.

Secreto scored his first victory in the Derby in the opening heat.

Mossie O’Connor’s runner was led to the home straight by Race of Champions winner Rural Hawaii but went on to win by three quarters of a length in 29.58sec.

Fraser Black’s Save The Don also struck gold for the first time in the event in the second qualifier.

The Scottish Derby finalist flew out of the boxes and left trouble in his wake. He eventually scored a six length victory over the even money favourite Fair Taxes in 29.57sec.

Lemon Miley led off the second turn in the seventh qualifier to see off Shutthe Backdoor by a neck in 29.94sec.

Quarter Final draw:

 

 

Heat 1

1 Farloe Blitz

2 Shutthe Frontdoor

3 Blue Cafu

4 Samiya

5 Dolcino Flyer (M)

6 Rural Hawaii (W)

 

Heat 2

1 Ballymac Matt

2 Highview Apollo

3 Jo Jo Fantasy

4 Priceless Lassie

5 Save The Don

6 Ivy Hill Bart (W)

 

Heat 3

1 Tyrur Tommy

2 Offshore Bound

3 Farloe Rumble

4 Fair Taxes

5 Gaytime Hawk

6 Paradise Maverik

 

Heat 4

1 Cable Bay

2 Secreto

3 Peregrine Falcon

4 Lemon Miley

5 Sidarian Vega

6 Jaytee Jet (W)