Clares Rocket on course for Irish Derby tilt

THE fact that it was the August bank holiday weekend meant a very good attendance at Tralee track on Saturday night and all present (including breeder, Richard Gentleman, of Kilmoyley) had the privilege of watching that marvellous flying machine, Clares Rocket, strut his stuff at Shelbourne Park via the track monitors.

It was a first return to competitive action for Clares Rocket since the final of the English Derby and he once again demonstrated his awesome ability by winning an open 550yds race in 29.30, which equates to 27.90 for the 525yds trip. He is sure to be making a hell of a challenge for the upcoming Boylesports Irish Derby, for which he is an 8/1 shot with the sponsors (from 14/1).

At the Oakview venue itself, two winners managed to get inside 29.00secs for the standard trip, helped in both cases by the fact that the track was running .10 fast (it was .05 fast for 325yds).

The Padraig Regan-trained Ballymac Breeze clocked 28.97 in winning the sixth race (A5 525) and the Rathkeale-owned Millroad Susie posted 28.98 in the ninth race (also A5 525).

Ballymac Breeze, the even-money favourite, bombed out of trap 4 and she coasted home four and-a-half lengths ahead of Blue Slip, while Millroad Susie, a 2/1 shot running from trap 1, managed to be in front around the third bend and she fairly extended from this point onwards to finish nine lengths ahead of Spirit Secrets, which short-headed the fast-starting Universal Sky for the runner-up spot.

Other winners: Ballyhar Flyer, 18.06; Da Rattler, 29.52; Bolus Bull, 29.10; Prospect House, 18.07; Send It Tonight, 29.34; Cyprus Billy, 29.37; Buds Trump, 29.73.

TUESDAY NIGHT: RAFA Babys Baby was very definitely the star of the show at last week’s Tuesday SIS meeting, coming from off the pace in quite exhilarating fashion to score by three and a half lengths from Spirit Bostoncon in a fastest of the night 28.79 (A2 525).

Other winners: Boher Romeo Blue, 29.76; Bellamac Triona, 18.14; Silver Charm, 28.98; Ballyhar Sho Sho, 29.52; Lassies Time, 29.58; Strike It Out, 17.72; Ballyhone Spirit, 29.58; Belle Mixture, 29.21; Paws For Poppy, 29.50.

SATURDAY MORNING: At Saturday morning’s SIS meeting, the 29.00secs barrier for the standard trip was broken in six of the eight races, with 5/1 outsider, Breton Charlie, fastest on 28.60 (the going was .10 fast). Other winners: Feora Rocha, 29.13; Baltovin Rose, 28.69; Knock Blitz, 28.88; Sign On Garfiney, 29.11; Mohane Joey, 28.81; Ballyelan Turbo, 28.81; Ashwood Barry, 28.88.