Warhawk holds Eske for Draper Puppy Derby 1-2
Barrie Draper: dominated Tuesday's William Hill Puppy Derby with the final's forecast
PICTURE: STEVE NASHFARLOE WARHAWK just held the late, late lunge of kennelmate Ballymac Eske to give trainer Barrie Draper a magnificent one-two in the £6,000 williamhill.com Puppy Derby final over 480 metres at Wimbledon on Tuesday night.
In a thrilling climax, Ballymac Eske closed the deficit with every stride, but Farloe Warhawk, the even-money favourite, lasted home to score by a head in 28.32sec. Whittle Murtagh was third.
Hills reacted by shortening Farloe Warhawk's odds for the 2013 Derby to 16-1. That's a long, long way off, but there's little doubt the black son of Ace Hi Rumble has the perfect running style to regularly excel at Wimbledon.
After failing to trap in his very best fashion, Farloe Warhawk unleashed a spectacular burst of early speed to rocket up the inside of lid-pinger Whittle Murtagh and Ballymac Eske, who had saved his most polished break for the night it really mattered.
Ballymac Eske so nearly made the corner in front, but Farloe Warhawk got there first, and kicked clear as his kennelmate briefly got tangled with Whittle Murtagh. The winner held a two and a half length lead at halfway and, despite being put under maximum pressure off the final bend, showed tremendous class and guts to resist the runner-up's challenge.
Draper said: "It was a great race. Farloe Warhawk missed his break, and then showed great pace up. Ballymac Eske ran a blinder, too. His future is more likely to lie over stiffer four-bend trips, but Wimbledon is tailor-made for Farloe Warhawk and it showed tonight."
It was a second successive victory in the Puppy Derby for Draper, who sent out Eden Star to make all in the decider 12 months ago, and it is by no means inconceivable he will join Farloe Warhawk and Ballymac Eske in a three-pronged assault on the premier Classic next year.
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