Shelbourne is the only place that we can start once more this week. 29.03 is the second quickest time ever run over the 550y trip. Pestana produced an incredible 28.99 in the second round of the Irish Derby in 2020. The same stage on Friday night saw Bockos Diamond just half a length slower.
He was 15 spots quicker than Pestana to the third bend split, a 16.68 compared to Pestana’s 16.83. 12 wins from 13 career starts, Bar One Sprint champion Broadstrand Syd is the only dog to lower his colours. He follows his litter brother March On Freddie who won the award in the opening round of the Boylesports Irish Derby. Does Bockos Diamond have another five spots in him to break Pestana’s clock?
After Rosy Cross clocked 28.57 on her second career start last week to win the Clonmel award, she has been followed by Westside Butch who produced a 28.66 on his race debut. His dam never won a race and was marked twice but clearly there was enough there to take a chance. That looks a good decision on the very limited evidence so far.
It’s the second week on the bounce Notshort Ofpace has won the Derry prize. He was one spot slower than last week and eight spots off what he produced a fortnight ago. He now has three of the 12 quickest times on the year over 500y.
Thurles and the Cabra prefix are synonymous with one another. Cabra Zeus added his name to the top times over 330y last week. He joins his litter brothers Cabra Castro and Cabra Ali in the top 26 times of the year over the sprint distance. Cabra Keiser remains the quickest of the year with Cabra Venom and Cabra Nova also on the list.
