Sonic Replaces Injured Rocket At Head Of Betting

Sonic now heads the betting in the BoyleSports Irish Greyhound Derby following the withdrawal of his kennel companion Clares Rocket.

The Rocket suffered a shock defeat in last week’s quarter finals at the hands of Good News but subsequently was found to have a reoccurring wrist injury and his racing career is now in serious doubt.

1st Quarter Final
Sonic was well supported in the ring going off a hot 4/6 favourite. Making a fast start from five Sonic showed just in front passing the line first time up but was slightly outpaced into the bend as Hey Bound managed to creep up on his inside.

Just as he was about to cut the opening turn Sonic and Hey Bound had a bit of a coming together but both looked to recover quickly.

Sonic led them a merry dance down the far side as Hey Bound and Clona Kid done the chasing in behind.

Turning for home Sonic was all of seven lengths in front and drawing right away, Jaytee Barracuda was motoring to move third entering the fourth turn and he came home strongly to take second with Hey Bound hanging on for third. 29.61 was the winning time, which was impressive after receiving a bump.

2nd Quarter Final
The market suggested that this race was a one dog affair with the favourite Kilgraney Ace going off well supported evens favourite. They couldn’t give away Native Chimes in the ring as he went off 5/2. Many including myself thought Chimes was badly housed in five, how wrong we were!

Although not the fastest into stride, the Johnny O’Sullivan trained star was left room to race by Ballymac Sarahjo as she cut inwards from trap four. This allowed Native Chimes to get up a head of steam and he powered into the corner to assume control.

Kilgraney Ace moved second before the turn from trap six, but was always going to struggle to get to the leader. As is his way, Native Chimes really flew down the back straight to open a commanding advantage.

Native Chimes, owned by John Kelleher and Pat Norton, continued to stride out majestically up the straight to eventually cross the line three and a half lengths clear of the strong staying Kilgraney Ace in 29.44. Rank outsider Drumsna Star ran a big race to be a five length third.

3rd Quarter Final
There was another upset in the penultimate qualifier as Black Farren upset the more fancied runners in the heat. Tyrur Harold went off 6/4 favourite and as the traps opened he appeared in front but moved left in the first few yards causing a bit of bother for himself.

Milldean Skip showed in front into the back and he was chased by Tyrur Harold and Black Farren. The latter hit the front entering the third bend and was just ahead of Tyrur Harold on the third bend. Black Farren, owned by the Lionheart Syndicate, kicked on at this point and won by two lengths from Tyrur Harold in 29.68.

The evergreen Jaytee Jet ran on strongly to be a two length third, edging Milldean Skip out of third spot by a head.

4th Quarter Final
Clares Rocket went to boxes 2/5 favourite for the last heat but you could tell from the boxes that things were not going to be straight forward. He raced to the corner on the outside of Good News and Buckos Dream and was forced to check slightly.

Buckos led down off the second bend from Good News. Clares Rocket then flew the back to go second at halfway and he challenged Buckos Dream at the third bend. He was cut off and lost a bit of ground as Buckos led for home. But Clares Rocket took it up on the run-in but was then collared in the final strides by the Pat Guilfoyle trained Good News which prevailed by a neck in 29.59 with Buckos Dream a length third.

This has been the busiest week yet in the ante-post market following the withdrawal of the favourite. Good News, Native Chimes and Kilgraney Ace attracted huge support since Sunday evening.

In the Plate we make Fast Fit Alex our 3/1 favourite following his impressive win on Saturday night. Don’t forget if you can’t make it to Shelbourne Park on Saturday night you can view the semi-finals live on RTE 2. If you want to do a cheeky €5 double on the semis for an interest then I’d suggest Native Chimes and Good News on both of their draws. #BetOnBoyle