Braveheart Bobby with winning connections after the RPGTV Scottish Derby Final
BRAVEHEART BOBBY landed Irish trainer Pat Buckley a second Scottish Derby title when making all in the RPGTV-sponsored Classic at Shawfield on Saturday.
Owned by Darren McCoy, the Kingdom Derby winner at Tralee only joined Buckley six weeks before the event but after some cracking runs to qualify in heats and semis over the Glasgow track’s 480m, produced the goods when it mattered most in the £20,000 decider.
Trapping smartly, he was always dominating the issue and, with market rival struggling to get across from a trap five draw, the youngest runner in the line-up was able to keep his rivals at bay before crossing the line two lengths clear of Cooneen Jack in 28.88sec (+40).
“I was always happy with the draw and felt we had a decent chance if he broke well,” said trainer Buckley, who struck in the 2009 Scottish Derby with Cabra Cool, although has fielded several finalists since.
“We had a setback with him initially and he needed his tonsils out, but he travelled really well from Ireland for each of the rounds – and the plan now will be to aim him at the English Derby at Nottingham,” added Buckley of the September 2016 son of Secreto and Leigh Fancy.
Winning owner McCoy added: “He always did everything right as a pup and was a great dog to have around the place. We miss him, of course, but Pat and Jack (Buckley, son) and all the Buckley team have been brilliant with us and Bobby.
“It’s a dream come true for myself and my dad. We had Bobby at 12 weeks so he’s been part of the family for a long while. Winning at Tralee was special, but this is unbelievable. The people here have been great and Shawfield put on a great night.”
Jimmy Fenwick, the runner-up’s trainer, was delighted to have handled a Scottish Derby runner-up in Cooneen Jack and has also now set his sights on Nottingham.
“Yes, Nottingham here we come!” he said. “Jack has come out of race really well and his performance on the night was great. He just missed the break, maybe had he repeated his semi-final split he’d have been in front coming out the second bend and might well have won from that position.
“But it’s great to have gone so close. I thought overall the whole Scottish Derby Final night was brilliant. Braveheart Bobby got everything right and was a deserved winner, so well done to Pat Buckley and connections.”