Lenson Sanchez, the English Puppy Derby winner, went quickest in the heats of the Joe Dunne Memorial Puppy Stake over 525 yards at Shelbourne Park last night.
Pat Buckley’s runner, a 4-7 shot, joined the early leader Drive On Vick at the halfway mark before going on at the third turn to register a length and a half victory over that rival in 28.60sec on a track definitely running on the slow side of normal.
Incidentally connections have confirmed that they will seek an entry into the Racing Post Juvenile at Wimbledon in early March.
Bearatipp (1-2), who was so impressive last week when posting 28.32, landed the last qualifier.
Owen McKenna’s runner trapped third but showed great pace to lead at the opening turn.
He went a couple of lengths clear by halfway and came home a length in front of Ballymac Gordie in 28.66sec.
Highview Jayne was a 5-1 winner of the second qualifier. Gerry Merriman’s runner blasted out of the boxes and came home a length clear of Beaming Boost in 28.83sec.
Greenhill Gem was the only runner to break the 2 second split barrier when taking the opening eliminator.
Harry Sharpe’s runner flew out and was soon two lengths clear of Rockchase Master. That rival closed on the run for home but by the line was still three quarters of a length behind the winner who clocked 28.69sec.
Draw for next week’s semi-finals:
First semi:
1 Ballymac Gordie
2 Bearatipp
3 Highview Jayne
4 Daylens Bullet
5 Bruno Ya Know
6 Beaming Boost
Second semi:
1 Lenson Sanchez
2 Rockchase Master
3 Country Legend
4 Greenhill Gem
5 Drive On Vick
6 Farloe Hunter
