There is little doubt that Callaway Knegare is one of the top young dogs at present. He ran riot once more in the Time Juvenile Derby, by far the quickest in the semi-finals. With March On Freddie in the UK and Callaway Knegare in Ireland, we can only hope we get a clash of these superb youngsters at some point down the line.
A 29.34 (-50) from Kilbride Tomcat at Mullingar was the 10th quickest time over 525y there this year. For a February 23 puppy on his race debut, it was a notable display. His litter brother Da Mighty Man has a 29.38 (-50) win himself. This is the first litter of dam Muffin who was a 28.40 Shelbourne bitch and they have made a quick start.
Tempestade was 0/7 in his career but he has now won back-to-back Performance of the Week awards at Clonmel in races eight and nine. A 28.65 this week followed up a 28.49 seven days prior. His litter brother Tivoli Milo is in the final of the Time Juvenile Derby on Saturday taking on Callaway Knegare.
2023 Irish Derby runner-up Bockos Crystal landed a blow for the veterans with his 28.42 Waterford run. He was a recent quarter-finalist in the Irish St Leger when he was unlucky to draw a brutal heat. It contained winner Clonbrien Treaty, third in the final Barefoot On Fire as well as Irish Produce and Select Stakes winner Unanimouspanther.
There was an excellent sprint performance at Curraheen Park from Stonepark Hoffa. The track record is 17.14 set by Quietly in March 2016 so to clock 17.30 in just his fifth career start was ultra impressive. He had laid down a marker with a 17.28 at Tralee on his debut but only made it as far as the second round in the Bar One Irish Sprint at Dundalk. He remains a sprinter of huge potential.
