The crowds were once again treated to brilliant greyhound racing at its best over two nights in the second round, writes Peter Walker.
Proper Heiress started the proceedings off with another dominant display. His task was made slightly easier with traps 2 and 3 vacant.
It was not plain sailing because Ballymac Deniro chased him all the way to the line. Epic Ace equalled the track record set the previous weekend on the Friday.
Rebel Alaska bucked the trend and became the only trap 6 to win during the second round.
Notable performances
Other notable performances for the home side included Salacres Lock Up and Underground Gold as they both maintained their unbeaten record so far.
Droopys Aladdin also got back to winning ways in a tight finish to hold off Droopys Graph.
Saturday was just as enthralling with the track record broken once more by Ballymac Duffle in 28.31 – six spots quicker than last week.
The bitches did not disappoint either as Strike It Sky and Scooby The Lady both won their respective heats.
The veteran Faypoint Harvey proved he is not ready for retirement yet by getting the better of Graham Holland’s other runner and odds-on chance Gaytime Clyde.
Layers hammered
Hackney Corner had to battle to win after a moderate break and justify favouritism.
In fact, six odds-on chances won out of eight on the night to keep punters happy and the layers licking their wounds.
The spectators on the same night were in for an extra treat as the three heats of the Barking Mad Betting TV Trophy were held with the final next week in conjunction with the third round of the Derby.
If the bookmakers thought Mongys Wild at 1/16 might lose after stumbling out of the traps, it was only a temporary sensation.
He gave the leaders approximately eight lengths at the start of the race. However, even by the time they passed the winning line after the first lap, he had already passed Frankton Ivy who blazed a trail early on.
There was a little respite for the layers when Greenwell Gypsy could only finish third in the next heat.
What was remarkable is that Droopys Rated broke the marathon 942m track record in the process.
Tackling the two-lap distance on the first occasion was no issue whatsoever.
Normal service was resumed as the last heat went to another short-priced winner Innfield Fifi.
Third round draw
After racing, the third-round draw was made live at the track which adds to the occasion.
At this stage, no guarding applies. One seeding change with Glengar Silent back to wide instead of a middle.
Most of the outright market protagonists have been kept apart.
Heats 4, 5 and 8 have two unbeaten greyhounds drawn against each other.
The last qualifier, heat 8 also has four previous round winners.
Conversely, heat 2 is without a second-round winner, although Gaytime Clyde and Goldcash Warrior were victorious in the opening round.
Ratings
The ratings for this round is the first time all the remaining greyhounds are assessed collectively. As is the case for the average sectional figures. Going allowances are accepted at face value in the calculations.
The exceptional performances by Ballymac Duffle have consolidated his position at the top of the ratings, and by quite a considerable margin.
It remains to be seen if he can maintain his superiority. It is no surprise that the top six are all railers.
It has been difficult in general for the wider runners to excel but they need a quick break to put up an early challenge against their inside rivals.
It is encouraging to see two of the three females left in rated so prominently.
The last bitch to win the English Greyhound Derby was Greta Ranee in 1935 at White City for trainer Albert Jonas. Could it happen again in our centenary year?
Top-rated Duffle has contracted in the market at 6/1 but his little brother Ballymac Ralf has a good opportunity to qualify in heat 7 from trap 2.
He has taken to the track well and with scope for further improvement is overpriced at 25/1.
Glengar Silent has struggled to qualify so far in the derby but supporters will hope he can replicate his fastest trial time.
It is one of the toughest heats but there are no easy opportunities on Saturday evening when qualifiers are all on show for the first time in the event.
