1-10 FOR RACING DEBUT – AND BEATEN
Thursday, January 1st
I honestly thought I had seen and heard it all. But then came Thursday night’s meeting at Clonmel, the first greyhound meeting of the year and the first heats in the 2009 IGB Open Unraced Stake.
Five runners in the first heat and one of them was Express Rock, a dog trained by Owen McKenna for Michael Dalton. A member of the repeat litter by Top Honcho out of dual Brood Bitch of the Year Airport Express with a sensational 15.94 sprint trial around Limerick.
But nobody was prepared for the betting market where Express Rock went to traps at 1-10 for his racing debut and you could bet 10-1 Loughbeag Mower and Dance Cashin and 14-1 Mutaz and Kingtone Connie.
We all know how dangerous it is backing unraced trackers and it was proved yet again as Express Rock met first bend problems and failed by a length to catch the Denis Doherty owned Loughbeag Mower (Top Savings/ All Things Equal) in 29.78.
I doubt if any greyhound has ever started at such a short price on his/ her racing debut. It will be a while before it happens again!
Express Rock’s litter brother Express Officer went off a 4-7 favourite for the fifth heat on the night but he broke slowly and lost his chance of victory. Instead the Georgina Goodall owned Killough Sparky (Brett Lee/ Talk The Talk) was fast into stride and the 9-4 second favourite led all to beat Dysert Justin by seven and a half lengths in 29.24. Express Officer recovered to take the third spot another half length adrift.
This was the second leg of a double for the Goodall kennels as earlier the Roger Dwan owned Borna Gael (Droopys Kewell/ Borna Magic) finished strongly to pip Jacks Savings by a length in 29.33.
The Peter Cronin trained Rond De Voo (Top Savings/ Talking Terms) created quite an impression when staying strongly for a four and a half length victory over favourite A Blonde Tail in 29.38 in Heat 2.
This left the third heat where Grace Counihan’s Sion Swift (Brett Lee/ Sion Sleek) held off Droopys Zeuxis by two lengths in 29.53.
* The remaining first round heats will be run on Sunday.
MAYS AT 6-1
Monday, December 22nd
There was a 6-1 turn-up in the final of the Tommy Kerrigan Xmas Cracker A3 570 at Harold’s Cross on Monday night when Mays Luckydome collected the 2,000 Euro prize for owner May Aylward.
The surprising feature of the big starting price was the fact that Mays Luckydome entered the final with an unbeaten record in the stake. However Pier Point was all the range, closing at 4-5.
While the favourite was slowly into stride, Mays Luckydome (Crash/ Mays Gray) broke fast and led all the way to win in 31.56. Pier Point did run on well to finish a four and a half length runner-up, catching Kilmessan Honcho on the line.
KILKENNY FINALS
Monday, December 22nd
Racing at Kilkenny on a Monday night is indeed a rarity but their card included two 1,000 Euro finals and the favourites failed to deliver in both.
The O’Dwyer Dog Food Xmas A4 was won by Carneys Rouge (Top Honcho/ Xamax Xena) owned by Dick Purcell and Tony Kennedy. A fast start set it up for Carneys Rouge and he made it all to beat Jimmy Havoc by five lengths in 29.47.
Anna Gleeson’s Redwood Bob (Honcho Classic/ Simply Beautiful) was a 4-1 winner of the Seanie Nolan Memorial A3 Stake. Again it was all about early gears as Redwood Bob got away smartly to win by a length and a half in 29.39. The favourite Going Concern was in early trouble but ran on strongly to claim the second spot.
MOIRA A SIZZLER
Monday, December 15th
Droopys Moira produced an astonishing run in a modest contest at Harold’s Cross on Monday night and is clearly a highly talented young tracker.
Trained by Ian Reilly for Sean Dunphy, Droopys Moira was contesting the modest A6 570 semi-final in just her second track appearance. Unlucky when finishing down the field in a flying debut contest, Moira really relished the move up in trip on this occasion and raced to an eight length victory over Blacksmith Ma in a scorching 31.14.
Putting the run in perspective, the other semi was won by Tomnaboley Fawn in 32.52. One suspects that betting will be very restricted on the final of this twelve dog stake.
Droopys Moira is a July ’07 daughter of Droopys Scholes and Westmead Joy while the dam is a member of that brilliant Larkhill Jo/ Mega Delight litter which included the likes of Westmead Joe, Westmead Aoifa, Westmead Delight and Westmead Olivia.
A SMART DOUBLE
Tuesday, December 2nd
Seamus Graham introduced two impressive litter sisters in the heats of the N2 Stake at Harold’s Cross on Tuesday night with both recording runaway victories.
Agile Minnie, owned by Mary Daly and her daughter Anna, flashed out of trap six in the opening heat and increased her advantage all the way for a nine and a half length winning margin over Hard Work in a very impressive 28.96.
In the next heat Noreen Graham’s Malarney Lane completed the double in similar fashion. Also wearing the stripes, she got away fast and led all to win by five and a half lengths from Ballynerrin Star in 29.07. Both bitches are members of the June ’07 litter by Brett Lee out of that fine bitch Embassy Lane.
The remaining two heats were won by Wayne McCarthy’s Winetavern Ace (Winetavern Oscar/ Winetavern Cloda) in 29.51 and Joe Broughan’s Joes Pet (Dundrum Prince/ Kemical Kim) in 29.69.
PENNY STARS AS NATIONAL PUPPY GETS UNDERWAY
The Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake kicked off at Shelbourne Park on Thursday night and Pennys Oberon lit up proceedings with a sensational performance in the last of the five heats. Up to that point there had been little in the way of fireworks, but Pennys Oberon left quite an impression when making all to win Heat 5 in a sizzling 28.57.
Trained by Ian Reilly, the February ’07 whelp shot from trap three to set the pace throughout and while Cape Time tried to stay with the leader he could never get on terms. Instead pennys Oberon stayed on well to claim a wonderful 3 length victory. Bright hero had no answer to the front two and was a further four and a half lengths back in third.
Shane Murphy has a fine record around Shelbourne Park and he added to his already impressive tally by sending out Blue Starship to win Heat 2. The blue son of Droopys Maldini took charge before the corner and made all thereafter to beat Fane Basher by 4 lengths in a fast 28.86. There was a gap of a length to Banjo in third.
A lack of experience certainly didn’t stop Skywalker Queen in Heat 4. The well bred daughter of Brett lee was having just her third career start, but she is clearly one to keep an eye on in the future. After disputing much of the running with Pau, Skywalker Queen drove the third turn before staying on well to beat the fast finishing Mustang Bolt by 2 lengths in 28.92. Pau was another 3 lengths adrift.
Seamore Sam (Hallucinate/ Mollys Award) maintained his unbeaten career record in Heat 3 when leading from the drop of the hat. The fawn was always in the driving seat and once seeing off the challenge of Kilhedge Queen at the third turn, went on to take the spoils by three parts of a length from the fast finishing Lifes Funny in 29.14.
The opening heat of the evening was a strange affair. Here Droopys Miller was a red-hot favourite, but something seemed amiss with the son of Yeah Man. After a tardy start from five, the favourite walked to the turn and was never at the races.
Instead Auto Bruiser set the pace, but failed to contain Fane Slasher who got up late to score by a head in 29.32. Selecta Vision was a neck away in third.
EXPRESS RUN BY FAWN
Wednesday, November 19th
Fawn Express certainly lived up to his name and his billing in the final of the A5 525 at Shelbourne Park on Wednesday night. Coming into the contest with a record of three wins from three outings, the Larry Mason trained star certainly stood out as the one to beat and he duly obliged in superb trap to line fashion.
The son of Crash and April Miss was simply too good for his rivals as he continued his rise up the ranks to land the spoils by seven and a half lengths from his kennel companion Doggieandgabanna in a wonderful 28.71.
Next up for the unbeaten youngster is a crack at the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stakes and while it is a big jump up in class he looks capable of making it in the top grade in time.
TORRES STRIKES
Wednesday, November 19th
On the same card, Kilmalady Torres also gave the impression that he too could develop into a top class performer if his racing debut in the opening semi final of the Shelbourne Unraced is anything to go on.
The Michael Gleeson trained youngster was simply superb in victory, taking charge off the opening turn to beat Tullymurry Kiara by 2 lengths in a fast 28.87. It was the manner in which he quickened around the corners before going clear down theback straight that impressed and have no doubt he will go quicker in the future.
DAWN MAKES HER MARK(s)
Wednesday, November 12th
There was a very interesting winner at Shelbourne last night when Shelbourne Dawn won an A4 contest in 29.05 on her first look at the track.
What makes the run that bit special is that she is a half sister to Derby winner Shelbourne Aston, being a member of the June ’07 litter by Boherduff Light out of Queen Survivor.
Dawn, trained by Brian King for John Marks, had made her debut at Thurles only last Friday when overcoming a stumble at the start to be a five length runner-up in 29.04. But she bounced out of traps on this occasion before being headed into the back by Melted Advice. But Dawn came back to lead on the fourth bend and went on to win by a length and a half.
Fastest of the night was the Ger Morris trained Castlerea Shaw (Black Shaw/ Ballygur Ivy) as he took over early in the back and went on to win from Marked Urgent in 28.92.
Another to dip under 29 was Billy Connell’s Fawn Express (Crash/ April Miss) as he led all the way to beat Jakes Fault by five and a half lengths in 28.96, thus maintaining an unbeaten three from three career record. The other heats were won by the Reggie Roberts owned Night Wonder (Disguised/ Cherry Mix) in 29.27 and Kilmaine Style (Droopys Maldini/ Copeland Girl) in 29.31.
Best in the heats of the Novice 750 was Rita Downey’s Mileheight Gone (Droopys Agassi/ Emmerdale Mandy) as he led all the way to win in 42.53. Other heat winners were Larry O’Shea’s Number One Jack (Top Savings/ O Learys Peggy) in 42.56, Stephen Bourke’s Mustang Mirage (Digital/ Abbeyside Blonde) in 42.87 and Frank O’Brien’s Best Mal (Droopys Maldini/ Blacketts) in 43.25.
A CLASH DOUBLE
Tuesday, November 11th
Owner Mairead McGrath had a night to remember at Youghal on Tuesday when her “Clash” prefix landed two of the three finals.
Clash Alpha (Top Savings/ Clash Beth) set the ball rolling when leading all the way in the A7 final when beating Tell Me Denjoe by six lengths in 29.23.
Four races later and Clash Mac (Black Shaw/ Clash Diva) brought up the double when finishing strongly for a six and a half length margin over Annahala Kate in 29.22.
Most valuable race of the night was the 1,200 Euro Knowsley A3 final and here Bunch Of Cherrys (Jamella Prince/ Lemon Sugar) did the trick for the Cherrywood Syndicate as he led all the way for a three length margin over Shedfield Sniper in 28.92.
The card also included the semi-finals of the Mick O’Keeffe Veterans Stake and these were won by Royal Robbie in 29.45 and Clearwater Jack in 29.17.
TIMOR’S LATE CHARGE
Monday, November 10th
Favourite for the Puppy Derby final on his previous appearance, Larry O’Rourke’s Timor Blue got back on the winning trail when grabbing a late victory in the final stride of his heat of the Markets Field Two Year Old 525 at Limerick on Monday.
The Jim Morrissey trained Timor Blue (Big Daddy Cool/ Proven Lady) was only third for much of the journey was Ardkill Tunoco set the pace. But Timor Blue finished fast to win by a short head from Ardill Tunoco in 28.50, with Mossend Ronnie some four lengths adrift in third.
Next best on the clock was Eoghan Kiely’s Shaneboy Lee as he won the final heat in 28.52. The son of Brett Lee was always up front and won by six lengths from Frances Fantasy with Glenard Bay four lengths third.
Jerry Griffin turned out Emma Browne’s St Louis Spirit (Droopys Scholes/ Owens Rover) to win the opening heat by a head from Barbies Man in 28.93.
The other heat winner was Neil Bruce’s Grayslands Cobra in 28.67. This Owen McKenna trained son of Honcho Classic and Grayslands Flo was always in front and came home three lengths clear of Machan Leslie.
NO LOSSES HERE
Monday, November 11th
Last week we highlighted the fine run of Cut Your Loss in the semi-final of the Track Bookmakers A3 Stake at Longford. Well the dog went even better in Monday’s final worth 1,125 Euro.
Billy Davey’s son of Hotshow Ben and Carn Mistress had clocked 28.48 in the semi but he came home in 28.29 in the final, the fastest time of the year at Longford.
The May ’06 whelp was recording the 5th win of his career from eleven starts as he flew from traps and came home more than ten lengths clear of Count Vieri in a time which is just two lengths off the track record. One suspects we’ll be hearing more of this fellow in the future.
HEADFORD A SCORCHER
Thursday, October 30th
There was a big run in the 1,200 Euro final of the Shelbourne A3 525 on Thursday when the Marie Gilbert trained Headford Top clocked what was easily a career best 28.75 in winning decisively.
Headford Top, a son of Top Savings and Ballyhoe Pivotal owned by the New Tank Syndicate, broke fast and led up, while moving wide. He was followed down the back by his kennel companion Blue Jackeen but the latter faded on the run-in and Headford Top stormed clear to win by five and a half lengths from Airborne Sparta in 28.75.
This completed a quick double for Marie Gilbert as she had won the previous race when Brigids Bullet led all the way for a five length verdict over Ashcarne Scooby.
There was also a fine run on the night from the Shane Murphy trained Bright Hero in winning a heat of the A2 525 as he led all the way in 28.93. The other heat saw Boxer Bill lead all to beat Cloudy Lane by a head in 29.20.
NICK’S CHAT IN A THRILLER
Thursday, October 30th
There was a tremendous night of racing at Enniscorthy on Thursday when a number of finals were contested. Two carried winners’ prizes of 2,000 Euro and the first of these, the September Unraced Stake, was won by the Nick Turner trained Springmount Chat.
This Robert Bennett owned daughter of Top Savings and Talking Terms maintained her unbeaten career record when just holding out in a thrilling finish. In front before the third bend, Springmount edged out Ballarue Lee and the odds on Lifes Funny by a pair of short heads in 29.54.
Later the Tim & Harry Larkin Memorial A2 was won by Ann Conlon’s Johnny Rocket in 29.22. This son of Honcho Classic and Frosty Jo has a big strike rate of eight from seventeen and he was in command here as he raced to a two and a half length victory over Mottee Hilda.
Other interesting winners were Romance Alsation in 29.07 for the 525, Night Prowler with a 29.39 run for the same trip and Imaal Master as he clocked 31.56 for the 575.
HE DAZZLED ‘EM
Thursday, October 30th
Following his sensational debut the previous week, the Liam Marks owned Razldazl Em confirmed his rich promise when winning Wednesday’s Unraced 525 final at Shelbourne in a brilliant 28.68.
The Dolores Ruth trained son of Razldazl Billy and Razldazl Pearl went off the 5-4 favourite with the other hugely impressive heat winner Coldwater Joe at 6-4. But the dogs enjoyed contrasting fortunes as Coldwater Joe was badly left at the start and, in the circumstances, lost little caste as he made up significant ground to finish third.
Razldazl Em, meanwhile, didn’t get a flyer but went up strong to challenge fast starting East River on the bend. Razldazl took a bump but rode it well and raced clear down the far side from East River. Coldwater Joe displayed huge pace to go third at the third bend and ran on well but Razldazl Em stayed on very strongly to win by five and a half lengths from East River in 28.68 with Coldwater Joe some three lengths adrift in third.
Pat Gordon’s Fatboyz Nodrog (Crash/ Whitefort Pride) was another to catch the eye with a really fetching performance in winning the Unraced Consolation. Having qualified in a sensational 28.61 he got his lines wrong in the heat and was in plenty of traffic difficulty.
Again on Wednesday he came away slowly and was last on the run up. However he really motored around the bends on the outside to be third into the back and he was in front by the 750. It was hugely impressive stuff and he powered clear to win by five and a half lengths from Bar The Rest in 28.76. He is obviously capable of a huge run given a reasonable start.
BRENNAN’S NATIONAL DOUBLE
Tuesday, October 28th
Dungarvan’s John Brennan registered a tremendous double in the semi-finals of the Vetsearch Irish Grand National at Harold’s Cross on Tuesday and is in pole position for Friday’s 12,000 Euro final.
In the opening heat the Matt O’Donnell owned The Other Outlaw just got the better of a thrilling finish by a short head from Priceless Paddy in 29.55. The Other Outlaw was the surprise early leader but favourite Leading Layer headed him around the opening bends but couldn’t open a sufficient lead.
Leading Layer still led turning for home but he then ran out of steam and The Other Outlaw took it up. Priceless Paddy finished with a wet sail but The Other Outlaw just held him by a short head in 29.55, with Woodys Express taking the third spot two lengths further back.
Record holder Distant Legend got off to a good start in the second semi but was closely challenged by Billsdad Bill to the third bend. From here Julie Power’s Distant Legend asserted and he pulled away for a three and a half length margin in 29.51. It was another length to Comans Joe in third.
TRAP DRAW
Trap draw for Friday’s final:
1 COMANS JOE
2 THE OTHER OUTLAW
3 PRICELESS PADDY
4 DISTANT LEGEND (M)
5 WOODYS EXPRESS (W)
6 BILLSDAD BILL (W)
TINA’S MEMORIAL
Tuesday, October 28th
Peter Meaney’s Rathduff Tina struck it rich at Enniscorthy on Monday when winning the 2,800 Euro Dinny Byrne Memorial A7 Stake final.
The daughter of Top Honcho and Mama Tina went off a 6-4 favourite and she duly dominated throughout. Fast into her stride, Rathduff Tina led all the way for a four length victory over Lady Lay Low in 29.92.
* See HOT GOSSIP
UNRACED GEMS
Thursday, October 23rd
Unraced competitions have the habit of throwing up some outstanding performers and the 18 dog Open Unraced which commenced at Shelbourne on Wednesday is certainly no exception.
Pride of place just went to the classically bred Razldazl Em which lived up to his name with a brilliant display in the third heat. A son of Derby winner Razldazl Billy and Puppy Oaks winner Razldazl Pearl he had been rumoured in advance to be a flying machine and the stories weren’t far off the mark.
Representing the Derby winning team of Liam Marks and Dolores Ruth, the December ’06 whelp flew from trap three and powered his way to an eight length victory over Kittys Honcho in a scorching 28.72.
This was just four spots faster than the Seamus Graham trained Coldwater Joe recorded in the opening heat. This son of Westmead Joe and Cyprus Tara displayed smashing early pace in scoring a runaway victory for owners Maurice Lyons and Moss McKenna.
The March ’07 whelp flew from the three box and was clear by the second bend on his way to a nine length winning margin over Ball And Chain in 28.76.
The other heat was won by Liam McLaughlin’s East River as he led all in 29.15. The Owen McKenna trained son of Top Honcho and Chubbys Survivor showed the way to Apollinaris around the bend and went on to beat that rival by two and a half lengths.
There was further cause for celebration for Liam Marks and Dolores Ruth and their Razldazl Billy/ Razldazl Pearl litter when Razldazl Jewel posted 28.78 in winning a semi-final of the DGOBA A2 Stake. This bitch had surrendered the lead on her previous appearance but she never looked like doing so on this occasion as she raced away to win by six lengths from Rule The World.
The other heats of this A2 stake were won by Peter Comerford and Tony Moore’s Allen Style (He Said So/ Angies Style) in 29.32 and the Tina McGrane trained Da Blink (Hallucinate/ Metric Flower) in 29.07.
Longford Update
Tuesday, October 21st
NUALA’S ROCKET
Top race at Longford on Monday was the final of the McLoughlin M&L GOBA N2 and the 1,100 Euro prize was claimed by the Nuala Lynch trained Clonarrow Rocket in 29.01.
The P.J. Rigney owned son of Droopys Scholes and Uifaile Flight was making it two from three as he got away smartly and comfortably held off the challenge of Forever Famous by almost two lengths, with Bonny Delilah a neck adrift in third.
Run of the night was the record breaking 29.76 from the Michael Mulleady trained Rince Boy in the Open/ A1 550. The son of Top Honcho and Rince Gold led all when beating strong finishing Oakleaf Tom by two and a quarter lengths in a time that was one spot faster than the old record held jointly by his litter brother Coolamber Prunty and Pepsi Kev.
Best over 525 was the Vera Croarkin trained Tahina Tess (Climate Control/ Tahina Star) as she finished strongly to pip Inny Blue by a length and a half in 28.94.
Vetsearch Irish Grand National
Tuesday, October 21st
A NIGHT OF SHOCKS
The first round of the Vetsearch Irish Grand National was full of shocks at Harold’s Cross on Monday with the Thomas Lynch trained Leading Layer the solitary winning favourite.
Leading Layer went off a 4-5 favourite for his heat and the son of Droopys Vieri and One Yard hit the front on the second bend and led home Razldazl Adam by two lengths in 29.63.
It wasn’t the greatest of sessions for the English raiders but Paul Young’s Bubbly Magic posted the fastest time of the night as he won Heat 6 in 29.40, He went off at 10-1 but took it up on the second bend and came home two and a half lengths clear of the favourite Call Late.
The other UK winner was Sawpit Samura in the opening heat. David Hunt’s veteran tracker took it up on the final bend when beating Ranch Pacific by three lengths in 29.54.
Limerick trainer Sally Williams had a smashing double. Time Me led from the opening bend and held Tahina Leah by a head in 29.60 in Heat 2. Sally was also on the mark in Heat 3 as Woodys Express headed Ballymac Okee on the third bend to win by two and a half lengths in 29.53, with Tommy Bahama in third.
One of the most impressive winners of the evening was the Mal Thomas trained Veras Diamond as the 7-1 chance led from the second bend and had nine lengths in hand of Glenbryan in 29.46. Kildare Lark was crowded on the opening bends and finished three and a half lengths further back in third.
The John Brennan trained The Other Outlaw was another 7-1 winner of the concluding heat where he arrived with a rush to lead on the third bend and then held on for a half length margin over Razldazl Denys in 29.70.
VERDI ON SONG
Thursday, October 16th
Beat performance on Thursday’s benefit programme at Limerick came from Denis Kiely’s Shaneboy Verdi in winning the Reddans Pub Killaloe 525. The son of Droopys Vieri and Shaneboy Ruth only got up in the final stride to pip Firebrigade by a short head in 28.54.
Another useful run on the card saw the Carol Humphreys owned Pencray Lass (Ace Hi Rumble/ Berts Baby) gain a length victory over Elevator Jack in the Smith O’Brien GAA A1 decider.
LUCY FASTEST
Thursday, October 16th
Trainer Brian McCann is enjoying quite a golden spell just now and he had a nice winner at Enniscorthy on Thursday when John Donnelly’s Marlfield Lucy won by six lengths from Denross Boy in 18.82, the fastest time of the Paddy Sharkey Open Sprint semi-finals. The other semis were won by Any Crac No in 18.96 and Tikarm in 19.31.
Kilkenny Wednesday
Wednesday, October 15th
A SINNOTT STAR
Paddy Sinnott certainly struck gold dust with his dam Black Stone Lace, dam of Derby winner Like A Shot and throwing flying machines in each litter.
The latest litter by Brett Lee is certainly living up to previous matings and Blackstone Bruce will be a fancied contender in Friday’s Coffey Unraced final at Youghal. But a litter sister showed her paces at Kilkenny on Wednesday.
On her racing debut Blackstone Lee flew around the St James’s Park circuit in 29.13 as she shot to a four length victory over Dysert Morani. It was a very impressive first race and surely there are better things to come from the December ’06 whelp.
There was another smart run on the Kilkenny card with Chris McMahon’s Marked Agent winning a heat of an A8 Stake by ten lengths in 29.14. The son of Ahane Lad and Teatowel Lash is trained by Paul Hennessy.
The other semi went to Madeleine O’Brien’s classically bred Crossleigh Hondo as he won by four lengths in 29.39. This winner is a son of Hondo Black and O’Brien’s great bitch Crossleigh Lark.
Limerick Monday
Monday, October 13th
BIG PUPPY RUN
There was a very interesting debut performance at Limerick on Monday when Bucks Teddy ran away with an S6 sprint in the flying time of 16.11.
Gerard O’Reilly’s June ’07 son of Go Wild Teddy and Mottos Friend went off at 6-4 and flew from traps en route to a nine length victory over Sergeants Pet in 16.11.
On the same card there was a fine run from Pat Davern’s Mohane Hero in winning a heat of an A3 Stake in 28.56. Mohane Hero is a son of Droopys Kewell and Santorini Jewel.
Longford Bookmakers A3
Monday, October 13th
IN THE CLOVER
Semi-final form was reversed when the Kevin Losty trained Cumann Clover won the final of the Longford Bookmakers A3 525 final at Longford on Monday.
The November ’06 son of Head Bound and Bonny Prim broke fast from trap three and led all the way for a convincing four lengths victory over his semi-final conqueror Kipper Jack in a smart 28.68. Drumkirean Lad finished a length and a quarter third.
FLYING TRALEE RUN
There was a brilliant run over the sprint distance at Tralee on Tuesday night from a 2007 whelp making it three career wins from five outings.
Dilton Swift, a January ’07 son of Droopys Scholes and Sydney Maid, stormed to an eight lengths victory in 17.58 for the 325 yards, just twelve spots outside the track record.
Trained by Johnny O’Sullivan for the Four-Twos Syndicate, Dilton Swift had won his opening race over 525 yards at Tralee in 29.36 but has concentrated on two-bend racing since.
The last five heats in the Rathmore Churches A1 Stake were also run and produced some fast runs. Quickest was Pat Feerick’s Blazeaway Honcho as he came home seven and a half lengths clear of Ruby Blooz in 28.60. The other heat winners were Exor Three 28.75, Natural Comet 28.66, Whittey John 28.88 and Kansas Kid 28.93.
JUMBOS’ DROOPYS
The Liam Corcoran trained Jumbos Away was the winner of the 1,250 Droopys Stud A4 Stake final at Youghal on Tuesday.
The son of Head Bound and Jumbos Darkie broke fast and led all the way for a length success over the challenging Caseys Stoner in 29.26.
On the same card the heats of the Quays Bar A2 Stake were run and fastest qualifier was Eddie Fitzgerald and Pat Pyne’s Castlelyons Fred as he won Heat 2 in 29.04 from Compass Owen. Other heat winners were Compass Liam 29.53, Lemon Bono 29.19 and Beanos Ash 29.22.
DAVY’S PRIDE
There were two valuable finals down for decision at Enniscorthy on Thursday. Most valuable was the 3,000 Euro Tomjoe Morrissey Memorial Tri Distance which was won by the Davy Morris trained Hibernia Pride (Droopys Kewell/ Gloun Spiral) in 33.24 for the 600 yards.
The final featured a great battle all the way between the winner and Mouse but Hibernia Pride lasted home by half a length with Ushie Disel a length and a half third.
The 2,000 Euro Paddy Sharkey Bookmaker A4 525 final was won by the Anton Butler trained Sunfire Mustang in 29.14. the son of Mustang Yank and Cyprus Willow broke fast and won by a length and a half from St Johns Lass.
PRINCE IN STYLE
Following his lengthy lay-off the Barbara Lowndes owned Swords Prince is getting stronger with each outing and the Brian Madigan trained black raced to an impressive victory in the semi-final of the Bernard Barry Bookmaker A2 Tri Distance at Shelbourne on Thursday.
Not the fastest into stride, Swords Prince (Head Bound/ Katie King) soon accelerated to the front and had a commanding lead by halfway. From here it was a question of by how far and that settled at five lengths from a gallant Sober Scholes in a very smart 30.08 for the 550 yards.
The other semi saw Denis Hannon’s Springwell Hero also win in impressive fashion. He powered to the front on the run up and was four lengths clear at halfway. From here the son of Hotshow Ben and Springwell Bessy was never going to be caught and had two and a half lengths to spare over the strong finishing Mustang Mirage in 30.10.
There were two finals on the card and the most valuable was the 1,000 Euro Shelbourne A5 525 where Alan Sarsfield and Vincent Boland’s Kilhedge Queen (Droopys Maldini/ All Claddagh) ran out a length and a half winner from the strong finishing Home Belle in 29.15.
The final of the 800 Euro A4 575 was won by Tom Dwyer’s Hunters Delight in 32.41. The Liz Brennan trained son of Come On Lleyton and Sparky Lady took it up from Best Mal before the third bend and then held the renewed effort of Bridgestreet Joe by a neck in 32.41.
Earlier there was a smashing run from the John Harmon trained Lifes Burble as he won in 28.83. This son of Brett Lee and Oaks winner Lifes Beauty took it up on the run up and won by four and a half lengths from Regina Boy.