Track record falls to an absolute diamond
Bockos Diamond became the quickest to ever run Shelbourne’s famous 550 yards.
After producing a 29.03 in the second round we opined in last week’s Saturday round up that Bockos Diamond could yet go quicker. That is the scary level of ability that Graham Holland’s son of Dorotas Wildcat possesses. Set the second-quickest ever time and it’s fully expected that he’s capable of more.
As it turns out, he was! The clock stopped in a breathtaking 28.94. In August 2020 , Pestana became the first dog to dip under 29 seconds for the 550y. Seeing an eight as the second digit gave the entire industry goosebumps. We’ve got to the stage with Bockos Diamond that there is an expectation that next week, the third digit will join the second and show an eight, 28.8?! Place your bets!
Doing that in the first heat of the night, it was a question of how do you follow it? It’s like being stood at a school talent show listening to a pitch perfect rendition of Nessun Dorma knowing that your recorder rendition of a tune that (if you listen really closely) vaguely sounds like Frère Jacques, just won’t cut the mustard.
The other third round heats
To be fair to Ballymac Briar (Liam Dowling), Scooby Pacemaker and De Lahdedah, they served up a thriller. A head and short head separating the three heat two qualifiers in 29.68. Two non runners in heat three gave Untold Dollar the freedom of the track on the inside and he duly took advantage in 29.34 for Holland.
It was an exceptional night for Riverside Kennels, winning half of the third round heats. Bombay Pat and Cheap Sandwiches added to the Holland haul in 29.30 and 29.18 respectively. The former has a tricky-looking quarter-final. He has stripes on his back again but has the pace of Ballinabola Jim and March On Freddie up his inside.
Jim was a 29.39 winner of his heat for Brendan Murphy. It contained the second dead heat of the competition with both parties agreeing to a coin toss on this occasion with Singalong Dolly taking the spot over Hot Wood.
Freddie was in a heat full of trouble which was eventually won by 25/1 chance Extra Gain for Gerry Holian in 29.82. Brendan Matthews won the final heat with Undulation. His bitch was always doing enough to hold off the late charge of Boylesports Bob in an outstanding 29.16.
That saw her pass Coosane Pickles as the quickest bitch of the year over the trip. It makes her the fourth quickest bitch all time over 550y at Shelbourne behind Ballymac Ariel (29.07), Ballymac Arminta (29.12) and Bockos Crystal (29.14).
All opens at Crayford tonight
It’s the second week of Gold Collar and Grand National trial stakes.
Havana Top Note found trouble in a Gold Collar trial stake last week. That was his first look at the track in eight months so Liz McNair’s charge is entitled to step up for the refresher at 6.59. He has to avoid Moaning Rossi on his inside on the run to the bend, however.
The other trial stake for the Gold Collar at 6.26 sees Wrighty back at Crayford for the first time since the opening round of this competition last year. He found trouble that day but has enjoyed an excellent 2024 for John Mullins. Darren Whitton’s Moaning Mason will be a big threat from the striped jacket, boasting a strong level of form at the Kent track.
Ricky Holloway is well represented as always in the hurdles contests. Harlequin Ernie and Signet Harper looks set to go off as favourite for the two Grand National trial stakes at 8.07 and 8.59 respectively.
Puppy Derby hopes in action at Towcester
Two trial stakes for the upcoming Puppy Derby part of 11 opens.
The first of those is at 4.07. Ballymac Kobe broke his maiden a week back for Maxine Locke in a smart 29.16. Bombay Nutty broke his in early October for Mark Wallis in 29.20. Add in the Romford Puppy Cup finalist Gingers Prince for Patrick Browne and it’s a fascinating battle in prospect.
Trial stake two sees Skeard Josie making a long trip down for Jimmy Fenwick. She has been in flying form at Newcastle, improving since she was last at Towcester in the semi-finals of the Juvenile Classic. Chelms Skint moved well in a recent trial for Barry Johnson after a hat-trick of Swindon wins while Do Gooder is a strong-running type for Kim Billingham-Hine.
Four opens at Sheffield this afternoon
The card kicks off with open class action over three different trips.
Farneys Willie is the star of the show today. Richard Wales’s stayer got back to winning ways over 660m last week and can follow up on that in the 2.49.
Bettys Jack got his head in front for Colin Handford at the first time of asking over the 280m trip in August. He has not added to that since but the Hope Jeal Sprint Trophy finalist has a good opportunity to put that right at 2.31.
Kelly Hodson’s Mysterious Flow heads back into open company in the 3.27 after notching up an impressive five-timer in graded races. She has Stephen Naylor’s Oaks semi-finalist Catunda Layla to her immediate right in what should be a good tussle. The other open at 3.09 is a 500m maiden contest.
Big guns into the Ladbrokes 480 final
Only one winning favourite from the three heats but next week’s final looks strong.
For a Category Three, it looked a decent contest prior to the heats last night. Arthur Cornflake was only second in his heat but Patrick Godfrey saw his Arthur Crumpet beat Ballymac John. Cornflake had to give best to Romeo Kingpin for Patrick Janssens after a slow start. Gemma Evans won the other heat with Millbank Boiler in the quickest time of the three.
Stats
- Distant Puma – 4.42 Sheffield – 5/9 in A3 from trap three.
- Elegant Elma – 6.08 Crayford – 9/17 from the red jacket.
- Moaning Mason – 6.26 Crayford – 5/6 in one-off opens at the track.
- Runaway Dior – 7.49 Crayford – 5/6 at the track so far.
- Briar Lane Kenny – 7.58 Pelaw – 5/9 in A5 from trap four.
Opens
Friday: Romford ♦ Sunderland
