Joe stars on back straight clock ahead of huge Irish showdown
BALLINABOLA JOE took pole position in terms of back straight sectional in the first round of the Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby over 500m at Towcester.
Having just the seventh race of his career, Pat Buckley's charge went through our clocking point in 15.64sec on his way to a 28.62sec overall mark, seven spots faster than next quickest De Lahdedah although the reigning champion did go on to post a best-of-round 28.50sec.
In a twist of fate, the Irish pair have been drawn to meet in heat two in the second round on Friday where another compatriot, second fastest overall Lennies Desire, also lies in wait although his 28.58sec came off a much slower 15.88sec back straight mark showing that his strongest work on the clock was in the second half.
Quickest of the UK contingent was Maxine Locke's subsequently withdrawn Maiden Derby runner-up Ballybough Nutz (15.78sec) but the 15.85sec recorded by Mike Burton's Droopys Aladdin on his way to beating Proper Heiress needs to be marked up as it came on Thursday when the going was clearly slower, officially -20 for the full 500m.
Outright favourite Bockos Diamond had to work for the lead so it is no surprise that his 16.11sec was some way behind the top greyhounds in the standings. He recorded a best of 15.65sec during his 28.51sec (+10) trial on 13th April.
Listed below are all greyhounds who broke 16.00sec for our back straight sectional during the first round. Every qualifier is listed in the reports from the night that they ran.
15.64 Ballinabola Joe
15.71 De Lahdedah
15.78 Ballybough Nutz
15.85* Droopys Aladdin
15.85 Romeo Steel
15.85 Bombay Pat
15.85 Cooliogold
15.86 Barefoot On Fire
15.88* Cheap Sandwiches
15.88 Lennies Desire
15.91 Slick Sentinel
15.91 Droopys Plunge
15.92 Keefill Goose
15.92 Churchfield Syd
15.94 Sole Mio
15.94 Dynamic Force
15.94 Slingshot Sam
15.95 Droopys Metaphor
15.97 Table Toppers
15.99 Faypoint Harvey
15.99 Back To Black
15.99 Kevins Rocket
*Ran Thursday, going -20 overall