This article is from page 80 of the 2008-11-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 80 JPG
DERBY champion Shelbourne As- ton got his challenge for the 2008 Mardoc Holdings Golden Jacket off to the perfect start when winning his first round heat at the Galway Track on Saturday night in a time of 31.29.
Shelbourne Aston was always up with the pace after a decent start from trap three and hit the front on the fourth bend en route to a three length victory over The Other Sonic, with Slick Spiral two lengths back in third.
Sponsor Denis O’Connell had a first round double while Broadacres Turbo produced the run of the night as he coasted home in 31.10.
Run of the night was produced by the Graham Holland trained Shel-
bourne record holder, Broadacres Turbo in heat eight.
The strong running black was fast into stride from trap two and proved five lengths too strong for the ever- green Tyrur Laurel in a brilliant time of 31.10 – the fastest of the year so far.
Faithful Laura in trap 5 was three- lengths back for third.
The event started in race two with the Gerry O’Donoghue trained She- rie taking the opening heat. She led from the opening bend for a neck verdict over the fast finishing The Other Achill in 31.81, with Doonbeg Selmi meelemALvor.|
half length back in third.
The brilliant veteran Tyrur Lee in trap two was the first winner for PJ Fahy when leading all the way to
win the second heat in a fast 31.23. Tyrur was fast into stride and led all the way for a near six length verdict over trap
6 Riverside Honcho with Elouisa in trap four taking third spot.
Ollie Bray’s 2007 Puppy Derby hero Royal Treason was a decisive winner of Heat 3 from the outside box. Droopys Teabag in trap three led early here but the strong running Bray charge took it up on the third bend and went on to beat Skywalker Dream and Droopys Teabag by two and a quarter lengths and likewise respectively in 31.25.
Sponsor Denis O’Connell had the perfect start to his stake when, along with son Cian, he had a first round double.
First winner for them was Mardocs
Heinze in trap two of heat four. He grabbed an early advantage and led all to beat trap four Ask Amy by two and a half lengths in 31.40, with Shaneboy Sophia a length back in third. Recent Irish Grand National winner Distant Legend proved his versatility with an impressive run in heat five. Julie Power’s dog in trap five broke fast and always led when beating the trap one reserve Skywalkers Angel by a length and three parts in 31.36. It was just over a length back to Swintord Mylo in third spot. Holland was also on the mark with Full Bloom in trap four who got up late to win heat six in 31.46. Shel- bourne Denny in trap two cut out the running but Full Bloom came through fast to snatch victory by
three parts of a length. It was over six lengths back to trap three Mar- docs Nani in third.
Next out for the O’Connell’s, Mar- docs O Shea, won what was billed as the race of the night, heat seven, in 31.50. North West Derby winner Target Kewell in trap two cut out the running but Mardocs O Shea in trap three powered past on the fourth bend and went on to beat the staying Lemon Zamora in trap four and Tar- get Kewell by a length and the same.
Holland was also on the mark with Full Bloom when the son of Late Late Show and Tamna Rose got up late to win heat six in 31.46.
College Causeway did not take his place in heat 10 and in his absence Nawhobberthadda in trap six com- pleted a double for owner P.J. Fahy.