KEV IN RECORD STYLE
Sunday, August 29th
John Doyle’s Kiltrea Kev (Westmead Hawk/ Kiltrea Lucy) cemented his rating as Ireland’s top stayer when breaking the track record in winning the Suirside Stayers Open 750 final at Clonmel on Sunday night.
Having suffered his only defeat over six bends at the hands of Cooladerry Fizz in the semi-final, he gained the maximum revenge as he not only beat the brilliant bitch by four lengths but also took her new track record.
Cooladerry Fizz shot off in front in her usual fashion but Kiltrea Kev was always second and he hit the front on the fifth bend before racing clear for a four length margin in a brilliant 41.10, an improvement of twelve spots on the previous mark set two weeks ago. Schofield Sam finished a length back in third.
FAYPOINT LEADS LANGTONS
Friday, August 27th
Pat Buckley’s Faypoint Man (Yeah Man/ Go Wild Donna) produced another big run when fastest in the second round of the Bridie Langton’s Derby at Kilkenny on Friday. Producing his typical barnstorming finish, Faypoint powered home four and a half lengths clear of fast starting Cool Rocket in 28.90.
Francie Murray’s Moral Duty (Honcho Classic/ Early Talent), which had been fastest in the opening round, again turned on the style when leading all the way to win the concluding heat by three and a half lengths from Shaneboy Francie in 28.98.
This was the second leg of a Murray double as Clonrooske Guy (Crash/ Lemon Maggie) finished strongly to win Heat 2 by a length from Kilscan Tommy in 29.26.
There was another very fast run from Mary Sweetman’s Kanasef (Crash/ Oasis Now) which led all the way to beat Trade Pirate by five and a half lengths in 28.95. The team of trainer Maria Byrne and owner Terry Corden completed a smashing double with Bish Bash Bosh (Crash/ Tutie Frutie) scoring in 29.21 and then Boldthadyquill also leading all the way to win his heat in 29.16.
The other heat winners were Paul Hennessy’s Hello Ringo (Maryville Rumble/ Tyrur Tara) in 29.51 and Eugene Price’s Pennys Leppard (Westmead Hawk/ Shellys Crown) in 29.29.
TOLERTON A PUPPY STAR
Friday, August 27th
The Seamus Graham trained Tolerton Crasher (Loyal Honcho/ Premier Tina) continued on his hugely impressive unbeaten path through the Texacloth Puppy Derby at Newbridge on Friday night.
Owned jointly by Paul O’Connor and Kevin Heffernan, Tolerton Crasher shot past Shoemakers Lad down the far side and then powered clear for a four and a half length winning margin over Shoemakers Lad in 28.65. What A Tornado was a five length third.
The opening heat was won by the Brian McCann trained Kerrydale Lar (Droopys Maldini/ Allez Bleu) in 28.83. Owned by Philip Brown, Kerrydale Lar produced a fine run down the back to hit the front by the third bend and he ran on strongly for a two length verdict over Lolos Joe with Forest Kaiser some nine length adrift in third.
The draw for next Friday’s final: 1 Shoemakers Lad; 2 Lolos Joe; 3 What A Tornado; 4 Tolerton Crasher (m); 5 Forest Kaiser (m); 6 Kerrydale Lar (m).
BLING CREATES A BUZZ
Sunday, August 22nding
Aine Quigney’s Bling Bling Buzz (Bombastic Shiraz/ Respect For Lee) maintained his impressive path through the competition when winning the final of the Supporters Club Unraced Stake at Clonmel on Sunday.
The Owen McKenna trained fawn broke smartly from the inside box and led around the corner from Glenanore. The reserve Hovex Fantasy went second round the bottom bends but could make no impact on Bling Bling Buzz which ran out a two and a half length winner from Hovex in 28.59 with Glenanore a half length third.
Kiltrea Kev’s unbeaten run over six bends came to an end when he had to give best in a thriller with Sean Meaney’s Cooladerry Fizz (Phoenix Paddy/ Frisby Fizz) in the semi-final of the Suirside Stayers Open 750. Cooladerry slipped through to lead on the opening bend and by halfway down the back straight she had opened up a three length lead. But Kiltrea Kev came storming back and closed with every stride, the line arriving just in time for the bitch as she won by a head in 41.38 with Skywalker Cindy seven lengths third.
The other semi saw Corporate Attack cut out the running but the Keith Mason and Otto Kuerres owned Slick Season (Tyrur Ted/ Similar Colour) headed him before the sixth bend and won by a length and a half in 41.84 with Schofield Sam a similar distance third.
Draw for next Sunday’s 750 final: 1 Schofield Sam; 2 Corporate Attack; 3 Cooladerry Fizz; 4 Skywalker Cindy; 5 Slick Season; 6 Kiltrea Kev (m).
GLEN A TRUE ROSE
Sunday, August 22nd
The Neilus O’Connell trained Glen Tashadelek (Razldazl Billy/ Glenbeg Lizzy) sprang a 5-1 upset in the €3,000 Rose of Tralee Stake final at Tralee on Sunday afternoon.
Saleen Return was the 4-5 favourite and he went to the bend with the winner but was second down the back and was then baulked on the third corner. Meanwhile, the Tom Lynch owned Glen Tashadelek was aways running strongly out front and he held the big finishing Sullane Patie by a length and a half in 28.78, with Bright And Cool a similar distance third.
A LANGTON DUTY
Friday, August 20th
The Francie Murray trained Moral Duty (Honcho Classic/ Early Talent) set a very hot pace when the Bridie Langtons Derby got under way at Kilkenny on Friday night. Fast into stride, Moral Duty was clear of the first bend trouble and romped to a nine length margin over Raheen Phantom in 28.88.
The only other winner to dip under the 29 seconds in the A1 Backgraders event was Pat Buckley’s Faypoint Man (Yeah Man/ Go Wild Donna). Last year’s Irish Derby finalist was quickly into stride in the stripes and led all the way for a four length margin over Clonrooske Guy in 28.92.
* Full first round details in Results.
TOLERTON’S BRILLIANT RUN
Friday, August 20th
Seamus Graham had a memorable night at Newbridge when Tolerton Smasher produced a brilliant 28.40 run in winning the opening second round heat of the Texacloth Puppy Derby and half an hour later litter brother Aptitude Test brought up a great double for the Loyal Honcho/ Premier Tina litter.
Tolerton Smasher, owned by Paul O’Connor and Kevin Heffernan, was always prominent as Freedom Oregon led early but Tolerton hit the front on the third bend and then held the strong running Kerrydale Lar by two and a half lengths in a time that ranks highly in the all-time list at the Kildare venue.
Aptitude Test produced a strong finish to win Heat 3 by a length from reserve Hudson Bay in a slick 28.89.
There was another brilliant run in Heat 4 where the Owen McKenna trained Tubbertelly Dubh (Hondo Black/ Corporate Group) ran out a most impressive winner for Terry McCann and Luke Kilcoyne. He led all the way for a five length verdict over What A Tornado in 28.61.
The other heat saw Tom Harte’s Shoemakers Lad (Brett Lee/ Ms Pepinstep) lead all for a two length margin over Power Spin in 28.86.
IT’S MAC IN THE BAR ONE
Sunday, August 15th
Des Gilroy’s Sheepwalk Mac justified his odds on rating when running out a convincing winner of the €20,000 Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup final at a well attended Dundalk on Sunday night.
The Michael Taggart trained son of Ballymac Maeve and Crazy Jane reached the final with an unbeaten record and with a best time of 21.12 in the 400 yards classic. It looked a very good line-up and so it proved with four of the six finalists racing to the bend virtually in a line.
Sheepwalk led up narrowly on the outside from Slick City but with Carlows Pride improving rapidly to challenge into the bend. Here Sheepwalk displayed his class and determination when he shot the corner and dashed clear. The unfortunate Carlows Pride was forced t5o check on the inside and lost his place and Scottish challenger Target Brett moved into second ahead of Cumann Carling.
Now Sheepwalk Mac had a clear lead into the straight and he wasn’t about to let it go now. Galloping on very strongly, Sheepwalk Mac had two and a half lengths in hand of Target Brett in a flying 21.08 with Cumann Carling a length and a half back in third.
This victory brought Sheepwalk Mac’s career record to 15 wins from 23 races and the August ’08 whelp is clearly a hugely exciting prospect. His victory was a massive fillip for owner Des Gilroy who is recovering from a serious illness.
There was also a tremendous performance in the Consolation Race where Roy Ruddy’s Drumcrow Obama (Droopys Scolari/ Drumcrow Marina) displayed brilliant pace when leading all the way for a half length margin over Yes Boss in 21.01, a time just seven spots outside the track record held by Gingko.
There was a track record on the card with P.J. McCartan’s Ballycanal Chief (Hondo Black/ Roojo) winning the open 600 in 32.57, an improvement of two spots on the old mark set by Ballyhill Beauty last year.
BLING’S BIG RUN
Sunday, August 15th
With Deerfield Music an absentee due to injury, the Owen McKenna trained Bling Bling Buzz (Bombastic Shiraz/ Respect For Lee) produced a big run when winning the first semi-final of the Supporters Club Open Unraced Stake at Clonmel on Sunday evening. The Aine Quigney owned favourite popped out of trap four and led all the way for a runaway eight and a half length verdict over reserve Whiteys Hugin in 28.58. Rojali Gale finished strongly to be a half length third while the other three runners were all badly baulked on the opening corner.
There was a major pile-up at the first bend in the second heat which saw five of the six runners involved and resulted in Belvedere Fox and Paradise George being knocked over. However Sheila Devoy’s Ambitious Vinnie (Crash/ Gloriania) got away smartly and avoided the melee to win by three and a half lengths from the staying Glenanore in 28.93.
TRACK RECORD
There was some exceptional racing in the first round of the Suirside Stayers Open 750 with the top run being the 41.22 track record run from the Sean Meaney trained Cooladerry Fizz (Phoenix Paddy/ Frisby Fizz) in Heat 3.
This brilliant bitch was fast into stride and never saw another rival as she raced to a nine length victory over Slick Season in 41.22, an improvement of four spots on Flying Winner’s old mark.
Earlier John Doyle’s Kiltrea Kev (Westmead Hawk/ Kiltrea Lucy) had just missed out on the record when running away from his Heat 2 rivals for a thirteen length margin in 41.28.
The opening heat saw the Frances O’Donnell trained Skywalker Cindy (Westmead Hawk/ Droopys Williams) take it up before the first bend but she was pushed hard to beat strong staying Cover Up by a length in 41.95.
The remaining heat went to Sean Mulcahy’s Corporate Attack (Trendy Leigh/ Black Raven) as he showed no ill-effects of contesting the Derby second round on Saturday. He led from the opening bend and had seven lengths in hand of Schofield Sam in 41.70.
FANDANGO A CRAFTY FELLOW
Friday, August 13th
Galway owners Brian and Peter Divilly made the trip south to Tralee well worthwhile on Friday night when Crafty Fandango (Crafty Romeo/ Little Misshappy) was an impressive all the way winner of the €5,000 Paddy Byrne Memorial Stake.
Crafty flashed out of the four box and led up from Saleen Paris and Sanantone Jack. The latter was hampered on the bend and the slow starting Melodys Royal moved into third. Melodys displayed big pace to go second around the third bend and ran on with gusto. However Crafty Fandango was in full flight and had two lengths to spare at the line in 28.63.
Paddy Collins, who owns Melodys Royal in partnership with event sponsor Patsy Byrne, had better luck when landing the final of the Con Murphy Memorial with Melodys Hawk (Westmead Hawk/ Droopys Able). This fellow took it up from Blackhyundi before the third bend and drew right away for a most eye-catching five length victory in 28.63.
MILES IN BUTLER
Friday, August 13th
Pat Dunne’s Across The Miles (Pacific Mile/ Kilcoke Lass) brought her career record to six from eight when winning the €4,000 Paddy Butler Memorial A4 final at Kilkenny on Friday.
Having disputed the lead to the bend with Shes Only Saying and Toby Shaw Fella, Across The Miles was in command into the back and then held the strong challenge of Toby Shaw Fella by a length and a half in 29.29. Express Gem ran on like a train to finish a similar distance third.
The other big final on the card, the Track Bookmakers A3, saw the Robert Gleeson trained Longrock Sheelin (Brett Lee/ Step Lightly) gain a pillar to post victory for owners Joe Colgan and Dermot Gilroy. Longrock Sheelin flashed out of trap five and was always in front, eventually holding off Cool Rocket by a length in 29.20.
GRAHAM’S TEXACLOTH DUO
Friday, August 13th
Trainer Seamus Graham bagged a double in the first round of the Texacloth Puppy Derby at Newbridge on Friday. Included in the pair was Paul O’Connor and Kevin Heffernan’s Tolerton Crasher (Loyal Honcho/ Premier Tina) as he posted the fastest time of 28.75. He got away fast and led all the way for a five length margin over Rocksallagh.
Graham had turned out Breda Thackaberry’s Kildoon Corrig (Top Honcho/ Corrig Nikita) to win the opening heat in 29.44. This fellow was only third for much of the journey but got up late to beat Uncle Ben by half a length.
John McGee turned out Heat 3 winner Oran Oracle (Ballymac Maeve/ Shelbourne Kay) to lead all the way for a four length margin over Aptitude Test in 28.94. There was a smashing run from Owen McKenna’s Tubbertelly Dubh (Hondo Black/ Corporate Group) as he led all the way for a two length margin over the strong finishing Kerrydale Jinky in 28.79.
The final heat saw Tom Harte’s Shoemakers Lad (Brett Lee/ Ms Pepinstep) bring his record to five from six with a slick start that set up an impressive three length margin from Power Spin in 28.85.
SPICE IS HOT
Sunday, August 8th
The Graham Holland trained Calling Spice (Ballymac Maeve/ No Joke Spice) maintained her unbeaten record in the competition when running out a comfortable winner of the €2,500 Ladbrokes.com Irish Puppy Oaks at Harold’s Cross on Sunday evening.
Flashing out of the three box, the Pat O’Donovan owned Calling Spice was chased throughout by Rinces Maeve. She was up to five lengths clear at the third bend but a strong running Rince Maeve brought it down to a length and a half by the line in 29.08 with Fitz Blackie another two lengths back in third.
Best run on a top class card was produced by the Aidan McVeigh trained Doctor Robert (Droopys Kewell/ Yellow Submarine) as he led all for a four and a half length margin over Poppy Cow in 28.77.
John Robinson’s Quick Lee (Brett Lee/ Brave Pony) justified favouritism when winning an A2 final in 28.85 while Jerry Melia’s Pluto Rocket (Hades Rocket/ Rice Park) had it easy as he won by four lengths from Grangecon Brian in 28.94.
Early pace was the key for the Tom Shields owned Close Marker as he took the lead on the opening bend to win an A2 final in 29.20. But it was all about a power packed finish as the Liam O’Rourke trained Ooh Black Betty (Razldazl Billy/ Kilquane Lass) got up late to beat Wash The Kat by a length in 31.53 to claim the A3 570 final.
The night finished with a tremendous battle over 750 yards with Sean Devlin’s Seven Hills Lady (Big Daddy Cool/ Hi Queen Closure) holding the persistent challenge of Ferdia Bound by a length in 41.95.
CLONMEL SHOCKS
Sunday, August 8th
There was a major upset in the second round of the Supporters Club Unraced Stake at Clonmel on Sunday as Tom O’Neill’s Glenanore (Hondo Black/ Mollys Award) turned over the flying first round winner Deerfield Music. The favourite disputed to the bend with Across The River but was then baulked and Glenanore shot to the front. Despite Deerfield’s best efforts, Glenanore kept on strongly to win by two lengths in 29.18.
Another odds-on chance was turned over in Heat 4 where Bling Bling Buzz led until approaching the third bend. Here Sean Meade’s Paradise George (Hondo Black/ Paradise Alanna) took it up and ran on strongly to win by three and a half lengths from Bling Bling Buzz in 28.54
Just four went to boxes for Heat 3 and Graham Holland’s Hovex Fantasy (Premier Fantasy/ Farloe Mirror) took it up on the third bend before beating Ambitious Vinnie by four and a half lengths in 29.06.
The other heat saw Michael O’Donovan’s Belvedere Fox (Ballymac Maeve/ Belvedere Olivia) lead all for a length and a half margin over strong finishing Express Louis in 28.66.
BALLYMAC’S BIG BYRNE RUN
Friday, August 6th
Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Lefanta (Royal Impact/ Lefanta April) produced a career best effort in the semi-finals of the Paddy Byrne Memorial at Tralee on Friday to claim his position in the inside trap in next Friday’s decider.
Ballymac flew out of the four box and was four lengths clear of the favourite Crafty Fandango entering the back straight. From there he dominated and came home two and a half lengths clear of Crafty in 28.47.
Next best clock was the 28.58 in the third heat where race sponsor Patsy Byrne’s Melodys Royal (Royal Impact/ Talita Beauty) declared his claim to the overall prize when producing a big back straight surge to hit the front and he went on to win by two lengths from Mays Checker. Byrne owns the winner jointly with Paddy Collins and he is trained by Pa Fitz.
There is rarely a final down in Tralee without a runner from the Saleen kennels and Pat O’Connor did it again with Saleen Paris (Top Honcho/ Saleen Chloe) winning the opening semi. Sanantone Jack cut out the running but Saleen Paris took it up on the fourth bend and won by three parts of a length from Sanantone in 28.85.
Draw for next Friday’s final: 1 Ballymac Lefanta; 2 Sanantone Jack; 3 Mays Checker; 4 Crafty Fandango; 5 Saleen Paris; 6 Melodys Royal (w).
MAC STILL THE SPRINT FASTEST
Monday, August 2nd
The second quarter final of the Bar One Racing Irish Sprint Cup lived up to its billing as the big names battled it out all the way at Dundalk on Monday night and it resulted with Michael Taggart’s Sheepwalk Mac retaining his position as the fastest dog in the classic.
Sheepwalk Merc (Ballymac Maeve/ Crazy Jane) went off the 6-4 favourite and duly maintained his unbeaten record in the competition when leading home Yes Boss and Slick City by a length and the same in 21.19. Scottish raider Target Classic failed by just a short head to make it through.
Jim Morrissey’s Carlows Pride (Top Savings/ Movealong Rose) was just a spot slower as he won the second semi-final by a length and three parts from Cabra Champ and Skip Over in 21.20.
The first heat saw Martin Lanney’s Your Only Joking (Tyrur Ted/ April Miss) spring a 6-1 surprise as he led home Cumann Carling and Target Brett by a length and a quarter and a length and a half in 21.35.
A dramatic final heat was won by the Seamus Graham trained Coldwater Penny (Razldazl Billy/ Moyvane Lace) as he touched off Greenane Bingo by a short head in 21.38 with Taz Mania a head away in third.
TRAP DRAW
The draw for next Monday’s semi-finals is:
Heat 1: 1 Greenane Bingo; 2 Coldwater Penny; 3 Yes Boss (m); 4 Sheepwalk Mac (m); 5 Your Only Joking (m); 6 Target Brett (w).
Heat 2: 1 Skip Over; 2 Cumann Carling; 3 Carlows Pride; 4 Cabra Champ; 5 Slick Citi (m); 6 Taz Mania (w).
KELLY A PREMIER WINNER
Monday, August 2nd
Michael Frayne’s Clearview Kelly (Hotshow Ben/ Bedtime) went off favourite for the Premier Fantasy Southern Oaks final at Youghal on Monday night and she duly delivered the goods.
Having finished third in the Irish Oaks at Shelbourne, Clearview Kelly was entitled to top rating in this hotly contested decider and she took it up on the second bend before holding off the strong challenge of her semi-final conqueror Inshaarla by a neck in 28.67 with Borna Talent some three lengths back in third.
A fine crowd also saw John O’Brien’s Belindas Lee (Hallucinate/ Kiln Lark) win the O’Brien’s Butchers & Deli A2 final in 28.86. This April ’08 whelp got away smartly and led all the way for a six and a half length margin over Corrin Minnie.
LIFFORD GAIN THE LAURELS
Monday, August 2nd
The Lifford team won the highly exciting Gain Feeds Inter Track Championship at Longford Track on Monday night when the competition went down to the wire in the last of the six heats. It ended with Lifford taking the laurels with 40 points, closely followed by Galway with 37 and Mullingar with 36. The reward for Lifford was a €2,000 sponsorship from Gain for a competition to be run at their track.
It was a truly memorable night at the midlands venue with a large crowd enjoying the action and they were treated to some mighty racing and two track records set by John McGee’s Frisky Fantasy with 30.73 for the 570 yards and Eddie Dunne’s Bunlahy Brett clocking 29.66 for the 550 trip.
As predicted here yesterday the big race of the night proved to be the 805 which saw Sean Devlin’s Seven Hills Lady collar Cooladerry Fizz in the very last stride for a short head verdict in 44.95. The other Inter Track winners were Go Sonny Go in 28.80, Cavies Tucks in 17.66 and Kilbannon Tess in 29.08.
Also on the card were two valuable stake finals and Waring Eyes landed the Paddy Glennon Memorial in 28.78by almost two lengths from Cliodhnas Gold while the Johnny Rooney Memorial final was won by Terrible Tenant as he saw off Cumann Eddie by eight and a half lengths in a flying 28.55.
COYOTE ON TRACK
Monday, August 2nd
The final of the Christy Doyle Memorial was the feature at Enniscorthy on Monday night and it resulted in victory for Bill McLuskey’s Rustys Coyote in a career best time of 28.94.
Trained by Harry Seery, Rustys Coyote (Ballymac Kewell/ Rustys Rachel) rode a first bend bump and then held the challenge of Metric Daisy by half a length in 28.94 with Compass Leah a length and a half back in third.
SPICE FASTEST IN PUPPY OAKS
Friday, July 30th
The Graham Holland trained Calling Spice (Ballymac Maeve/ No Joke Spice) was fastest when the semi-finals of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Puppy Oaks were run at Harold’s Cross on Friday. She took an absolute flyer from traps and was six clear at halfway from Rince Girl. The latter ran on with real gusto but Calling Spice held on for a two length margin in 29.21 with Sporting Gina almost ten lengths back third after first bend trouble.
There was a dramatic opening semi with all sorts of trouble through the race. After mistiming her start, Michael Mulleady’s Jimney Cricket (Ballymac Maeve/ Rince Girl) took it up on the bend from reserve Fitz Blackie but the latter continued to challenge to the bottom bend. Here Cape Nikita arrived with a rush but crashed into Jimney Cricket. The latter then just held on in a mad scrimmage by a short head and the same from Fitz Blackie and Isle Of Avril in 29.95 with Cape Nikita a neck fourth.
The semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Super Sunday 570 were also run and they resulted in victories for the Liam O’Rourke trained Ooh Black Betty (Razldazl Billy/ Kilquane Lass) in 32.02, Kevin McCreesh’s Wash The Kat (World Class/ Droopys Kara) in 31.93 and Jayne Hegarty’s Cookies Mal (Hallucinate/ Freffans Nikki) in 31.64.
TRAP DRAWS
[Draw for the finalso be run on Sunday week)
Ladbrokes Puppy Oaks: 1 Fitz Blackie; 2 Sporting Gina; 3 Calling Spice; 4 Rince Maeve; 5 Isle Of Avril; 6 Jimney Cricket.
Ladbrokes 570: 1 Warhead; 2 Wash The Kat; 3 Cookies Mal; 4 Coolemount Glen; 5 Ooh Black Betty; 6 Riverside Bella.
A €993 TRIO DIVIDEND
Friday, July 23rd
The Ladbrokes.com Irish Puppy Oaks got off to a sensational start at Harold’s Cross on Friday night with Sporting Dame’s success in Heat 2 from Isle Of Avril and Islandea Babe setting up a staggering Trio dividend of €993, while the Forecast paid a mighty €207.
Doodle Doo was the red hot favourite and looked a winner when leading into the opening bend where she ran wide. She was then hampered by the wide running Isle Of Avril down the back and dropped to the rear. Now Islandea Babe took it up but Isle Of Avril headed her around the bottom but again drifted wide and Jerry Griffin’s Sporting Dame (Weestmead Hawk/ Sporting Alone) burst through on the inside to win by three lengths from Isle Of Avril in 29.61 with Islandea Babe a head third.
Following her excellent run of a week earlier, the Michael Mulleady trained Rince Maeve (Ballymac Maeve/ Rince Girl) was a strong favourite for the opening heat and duly won in 29.03. However it was a tough battle as she was headed by Cape Nikita on the third bend but rallied strongly to win by a length in 29.03 while Cape Nikita was two and a half lengths clear of Express Cheryl.
A great double for Michael Mulleady and owners Jude Clonan and Eamonn Prunty was completed by Maeve’s litter sister Jimney Cricket in the final heat. This was most impressive as she flashed away from the three box and led Gogetemclaire and the favourite Subway Kate into the back. Jimney Cricket got stronger and stronger and eventually won by four lengths from Gogetemclaire in a fastest of the round 28.91 with Domestic Lily staying on to finish a two and a half length third.
The third heat saw the Graham Holland trained Calling Spice (Ballymac Maeve/ No Joke Spice) produce a really professional performance as she quickly showed in front and stayed there, coming home a length in front of the strong finishing Mozzltoff in 29.06 with Sporting Gina a length and a half back in third.
NED FOR MCCANN
Friday, July 23rd
Not even the four strong combined forces of trainers Seamus Graham and Fraser Black could prevent the Brian McCann trained Ned From Donard from landing the €2,000 Ger Canty A1 575 final at Newbridge on Friday.
It was a case of away and gone for the Noel and Michael Furlong owned son of Droopys Scolari and Farloe Batch as Ned From Donard came away racing from six and led the Graham trained duo of Block Cross and Dun Masc into the back. Dun Masc stayed on to take second honours two lengths ahead of Block Cross but he was still four lengths adrift of the impressive Ned From Donard in 31.25.
The supporting card saw Bob Morton’s Westmead Grant (Droopys Scolari/ Mega Delight) resume his Irish career under Fraser Black in winning fashion as he finished strongly to beat Ballintine Hugh by a length and a half in 29.97 for the 550 yards.
SIRIUS IS HOT
Friday, July 23rd
The Paddy Byrne Memorial got underway at Tralee on Friday night and fastest of the ten first round heats was Michael Shine’s Knockbawn Sirius Black Shaw/ Let Us Know) as he led from the second bend to beat General Dogsbody by all of seven lengths in a flying 28.44.
Next best was Mossie O’Connor’s Kick For Touch (Droopys Vieri/ Trionas Choice) which took over on the back straight and had four lengths in hand of Headleys Mentor in 28.49.
Liam Dowling had a litter double with Ballymac Lomu (Tyrur Lomu/ Coolavanny Minor) in 28.92 and Ballymac Linda in 28.59 and then made it a treble when Ballymac Lefanta (Royal Impact/ Lefanta April) justified favouritism in 28.91.
Other heat winners were Rivervale Dream (Hondo Black/ Noirs Pearl) 28.64, Melodys Royal (Royal Impact/ Talita Beauty) 28.73, Matties Lass (Rackethall Jet/ Bothar na Phoca) 29.28, Took The Okee (King Okee/ Honors Blondie) 28.73 and Saleen Paris (Top Honcho/ Saleen Chloe)
SCART A TIPP LEGEND
Sunday, July 18th
Brendan O’Mahony’s Scart Legend (Balintore Brave/ Blakes Fawn) was fastest in the semi-finals of the Thurles Fresh Milk Tipperary Cup at Thurles on Sunday evening when posting a very fast time of 28.61 in the first of the quarter finals. Slaneyside Shay actually led to the bend where Scart Legend went past and he drew right away for a most emphatic six length victory over Shelbourne Dawn.
The second heat saw Ger Dowling’s Lemon Jet (Tyrur Ted/ Lemon Post) keep up his recent fine form as he took over from fast starting You Little Slash halfway down the back and he then held the flying late run of Forest Rover by a short head in 28.96.
Sean O’Brien’s northern raider Hurry On Black (Boherduff Light/ East Point) was an impressive all the way winner of Heat 3 as he comfortably held always second Leeview Jet by two lengths in 28.78 with Big Appetite a length third.
The last of the heats saw the Greta Scotland owned Carib King (Top Honcho/ May Said So) lead from the opening bend in beating the reigning champion Chicken Supper by three and a half lengths in 28.72. Chicken Supper only got into this heat on the withdrawal of Titan Odin.
Sunday’s card also included the Ladbrokes Derby Trial Stake and the ticket was claimed by the John O’Flynn trained Foyle Storm (Hallucinate/ Foyle Honcho) as she led all for a five length margin over Golden Pride in 28.73.
DANNY’S DERBY WIN
Saturday, July 17th
The Eddie Ryan trained Scarlet Danny (Big Daddy Cool/ Shelbourne Poopa) ran out a very deserving winner of the Broadway Pet Food Longford Derby final on Friday.
Repeating his semi-final performance, Scarlet Danny broke fast from the inside and made the most of his inside draw when leading all the way for a four and a quarter length verdict over Jimain Reward in 28.51.
The valuable Robbie Mulleady Memorial A3 was won by the Des and Elliott Whyte owned Oran Oracle (Ballymac Maeve/ Shelbourne Kay) as he held off Legal Rebel by a short head in 28.58.
Oracle’s trainer John McGee was also on the mark in the Derby Trial Stake as Frisky Fantasy led all in beating Ballybaun Echo by two and a quarter lengths in 29.890.
The other final on the card, the Track Bookmakers A4 550, saw the Francie Murray trained Cians Fantasy (Premier Fantasy/ Lemon Blossom) win in 29.70.
ELSEWHERE …
* The Michael Costello and Frank O’Donnell trained Lassa Extreme (Droopys Kewell/ Will You Do) led all the way to collect the Ladbrokes Derby ticket at Tralee on Friday. He was always in control as he ran out a length and a half winner from Mileheight Crash in 29.90.
* Seamus Graham completed a very smart double in the heats of the Ger Canty A1 575 at Newbridge. In the opener Ned Daly’s Block Cross (Westmead Hawk/ Frosty Rose) had two lengths to spare over Droopys Fabio in 31.79 while in the second heat Willie Aird’s Dun Masc (Hondo Black/ Sonatina) had three parts of a length in hand of Forest Captain in 32.01.
TED THE KING OF MUNSTER
Sunday, July 4th
Things went very much according to plan at Clonmel on Sunday night when the Paul Hennessy trained He Told Ted (Tyrur Ted/ Who Told Marge) maintained his unbeaten path through the Track Supporters Club Munster Derby by landing the €6,300 prize.
Owned by Philip O’Keeffe, He Told Ted has been a real model of consistency through the competition and he kept it up to the end when winning by two lengths from Fatboyz Crackers in 28.73, with Kick For Touch a similar distance back in third.
Fatboyz Crackers got away best and just led up from He Told Ted and Philipstown Lad. But the race was decided on the bend where He Told Ted muscled his way through and led by half a length from Fatboyz into the back. The pair had a tremendous duel to the straight but then He Told Ted pulled out to win by two lengths with Kick For Touch staying on well to be third.
On the supporting card there were three other finals. The Declan Silles owned Liscahane Dazl (Razldazl Billy/ Liscahane Fancy) won a very exciting Buddy Flannery Memorial Stake when beating Hold On Buddy by a neck in 28.96.
The Seamus O’Neill owned Coolside Prince (Top Savings/ Quit It) was a comfortable winner of the Ballymac Ruso D2/3 750 when beating Lyons Rebel by three and a half lengths in 42.17.
The other final on the card was the Springwood Kennels A1 575 and here Zarkava (Tyrur Ted/ Ballyvocoke Lady) took the prize when leading home Forest Squire by a length in 31.63.
BANDIT’S TICKET
Sunday, July 4th
John Byrne’s Crash Bandit (Crash/ Celtic Dawn) will be the Lifford representative in the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby after taking the qualifier on Sunday evening.
Crash Bandit, a 9-4 favourite, was prominent all the way as Doctor Robert set the pace. But Crash Bandit was too strong at the business end and came home a length and three parts clear of Blazers Black in 30.19. Doctor Robert was another half length back in third.
TORRES IN A THRILLER
Friday, July 2nd
There was some tremendous racing in the third round of the Broadway Pet Food Longford Derby at the midlands venue on Friday night with Joe Colgan’s Kilmalady Torres having to pull out all the stops when the fastest winner in 28.59.
Completing a double for trainer Robert Gleeson, Kilmalady Torres (Droopys Maldini/ Kincraig Brindle) broke fast and led all the way but was all out to hold Whiterock Wonder by half a length with Egmont Daddy three and a half lengths adrift in third.
Gleeson’s first winner was the syndicate owned Hare Mack (Brett Lee/ Ballymac Hare) which chased Springwell Edge for much of Heat 2 and then edged it in a very tight finish by a short head from Savings Book in 28.79, with Springwell a length third.
John McGee turned out Jimain Reward (Brett Lee/ Quare Reward) to win the third heat in an identical 28.79 for owners Ian Foster and Jim Brennan. Fast away, Jimain Reward was always in control and won by two lengths from Portumna Ash with Springwell Sindy four lengths third.
The opening heat saw the Philip Fitzpatrick trained Drumalee Classic (Premier County/ Tamna Classic) lead from the first bend to win by almost two lengths from Royal Tornado in 28.73. Scarlet Danny was just a neck away in third.
JAKE ON THE MARK
Friday, July 2nd
There was another huge crowd at the Kingdom Stadium on Friday for the Kerry General Hospital meeting and the featured €3,000 Kerry Group Hospital Stake was won in emphatic fashion by Nick Cotter’s Headleys Jake in 28.71.
Gortkelly Sky and Clohur Blue battled it out head to head to the final bend but here the Eddie O’Sullivan trained Headleys Jake (Fortune Mike/ Woodford Ann) hit the front and raced on strongly to win by two lengths and a length from Gortkelly Sky and Clohur Blue.
The Tony & Eileen McElligott Hospital A7 was won by the Liam Dowling trained General Dogsbody (Tyrur Lomu/ Coolavanny Minor) which led all for a four length margin over Hudson Bay in 29.04.
Chris Houlihan turned out Shiraz Surprise (Bombastic Shiraz/ Respect For Lee) to win the Nolans Garage A5 in 29.00. Disputing the lead all the way, he took it up on the third bend and won by two and a half lengths from Petite Ninucci.
KEV KING AT THE CROSS
Friday, July 2nd
John Doyle’s Kiltrea Kev again took a starring role at Harold’s Cross on Friday in the second round heats of the Gain Feeds Corn Cuchulainn. After an impressive victory the previous weekend, he was strongly fancied to come out on top in Heat 2 and he duly obliged in fine style.
Mohane Katie set a strong gallop, but once headed by Kiltrea Kev at the third turn she faded out of contention. Instead Lisacaha Rosie came through to grab second, but Kiltrea Kev was too good for his rivals coming home two lengths clear in a fastest of the competition 41.78. Third spot went to Coolamber Prunty a further length and a half away.
The Sean Meaney trained Cooladerry Fizz also impressed for the second week running when bolting clear of a decent field in the opening heat. The Barrys Tea 750 winner assumed control in the early yards and was never under threat as she cruised home all of fourteen lengths clear in 41.89. Cape West just grabbed second spot ahead of Calm Ted.
The controversial third heat (see front page story) resulted in a runaway victory for the Graham Holland trained Hovex Brandy as he led before the stands and never looked like being caught. He even caught out whoever was trying to affect the result as he had passed the point before the sacks came over the wall and went on to win by eight and a half lengths in 41.88. Ferdia Bound came from well back to just pip Kerryroad Baba for second.
The final heat was the most competitive of the four with a number of different greyhounds leading at various stages, but in the end the superior staying power of Seven Hills Lady proved decisive. Taking over from Hello Hippy at the penultimate corner, Pat Devlin’s charge forged his way clear up the run in to take the verdict by three and a half lengths from Hello Hippy in 42.31 with Navan Blue another length back in third.
TRAP DRAW
The trap draw for the semi-finals is:
Heat 1: 1 Hello Hippy; 2 Calm Ted; 3 Seven Hills Lady; 4 Cooladerry Fizz; 5 Ferdia Bound; 6 Coolamber Prunty.
Heat 2: 1 Lisacaha Rosie; 2 Kerryroad Baba; 3 Hovex Brandy; 4 Cape West; 5 Navan Blue; 6 Kiltrea Kev (m).
TED STILL IN GEAR
Sunday, June 27th
He Told Ted (Tyrur Ted/ Who Told Marge) maintained his triumphant march through the Supporters Club Munster Derby when he produced another brilliant performance at Clonmel on Sunday night.
Trained by Paul Hennessy for his brother-in-law Philip O’Keeffe, He Told Ted dominated the second semi as he came home four and a half lengths clear of Kick For Touch in 28.69, with Fatboyz Crackers just a neck behind in third.
Hennessy had no luck in the first qualifier where his fancied runner Priceless Chef could only finish fourth. Victory here went to Paddy Kehoe’s Forest Rico (Droopys Kewell/ Forest Daisy) which proved three lengths too strong for Boystown Gamble in 28.93 with Philipstown Lad a length and a half back in third.
KEV THE STAYING STAR
Friday, June 23rd
Harold’s Cross has always been the spiritual home of distance racing in Ireland and a large crowd turned up at the Dublin venue on Friday night for the opening round of the Gain Feeds Corn Cuchulainn to witness Kiltrea Kev take the headlines with a superb performance.
On the night there were some strange results with defending champion Corporate Attack eliminated in the second heat, while Ferdia Bound also looked to be heading out of the competition only to get a reprieve in Heat 4.
John Doyle’s Kiltrea Kev (Westmead Hawk/ Kiltrea Lucy) was the star turn however as he overcame a slow start to post a fastest of the night 41.99 in the second heat. Powering to the front in the second half of the contest, Kiltrea Kev comfortably saw off the talented Kerryroad Baba by five lengths, while Totos Jet grabbed third spot a further six lengths adrift.
Another to impress was the Barrys Tea 750 winner Cooladerry Fizz, who quickly assumed complete control in Heat 5. Sean Meaney’s talented daughter of Phoenix Paddy and Frisby Fizz) was too good for a classy line up as she cruised home four lengths clear of the always second Ballyard Timmy, with Group Skater another two length back in third.
One of the more exciting contests came in Heat 3 where 810yd record holder Hovex Brandy looked certain to score once reeling in the long time leader Mohane Katie (Crash/ Santorini Jewel) down the back straight. The latter was very game however and she rallied on the run in to lead late for a three parts of a length victory in 42.11.
The aforementioned Ferdia Bound could only finish fourth in a muddling fourth heat, but he gained entry to the second round draw after the card for Corporate Scoop was held by the stewards. Priceless Palm was fastest into stride, but she could never shake off the persistent Corporate Scoop and the pair eventually had to be separated by the judge. Paul Hennessy’s Priceless Palm took the verdict by a head in 42.76, while Penthouse Angel finished another three parts of a length back in third. Ferdia Bound, despite running disappointingly, will go through to the second round after finishing another half length away in fourth.
Gary Hay’s Blonde Jake (Crash/ Gifted Woman) did what was needed in heat six to bring his tally into double figures. Leading in the early stages he held off Seven Hills Lady by a length and a half in a useful 42.18.
The Noel Byrne trained Lisacaha Rosie (Droopys Vieri/ Westmead Kiwi) outstayed her rivals in the opening heat for an easy five length victory in 42.53, while Michael Mulleady’s Coolamber Prunty (Top Honcho/ Rince Girl) did something similar in the final heat, finishing fastest to score in 42.38.
TONY’S ASH SIZZLES
Friday, June 25th
Trainer Tony Fahy provided the fastest second round winner in the Broadway Pet Food Longford Derby on Friday when track specialist Portumna Ash (Top Savings/ Lady Echo) produced a career best performance when leading all the way in the third heat to win by over three lengths from Glenfort Dove in 28.57.
The second round started with a shock when fastest first round winner Legal Fire messed up the start and was then baulked on the bend. Meanwhile, Robert Gleeson’s Hare Mack (Brett Lee/ Ballymac Hare) got up late to pip Savings Book by a short head in 28.96.
The other heat winners were John McGee’s Jimain Reward (Brett Lee/ Quare Reward) in 29.12, Denis Hannon’s Springwell Sindy (Razldazl Billy/ Springwell Sukey) in 28.97, John Brennan’s Cleveland Brian (Droopys Kewell/ Wernham Lass) in 28.89, Oliver Fitzpatrick’s Drumalee Classic (Premier County/ Tamna Classic) in 29.03, Brian Maguire’s Carn Ruby (Honcho Classic/ Carn Lass) in 29.05 and Ollie Bray’s Royal Tornado (Honcho Classic/ Watch The Market) in 28.83.
FAYPOINT ANOTHER FOR PAT
Sunday, June 20th
Pat Buckley completed a tremendous weekend when Faypoint Man landed the €2,400 Red Mills Cup at Kilkenny on Sunday night, thus adding to his great 1-3 with Beaming Supreme and Tullymurry Act in the final of the €20,000 Paddy O’Sullivan Memorial Race of Champions at Tralee on Friday.
Lemon Jet led the field to the bend in this one-off annual highlight of the BEAM meeting at James’s Park where his nearest pursuers were in the wars. Monlesa Alsation ran out of room on the inside at the bend and checked wide, badly hampering the very prominent reigning champion Boldthadyquill.
Suddenly the race was transformed and Lemon Jet led into the far side by two lengths from Faypoint Man with St Louis Spirit now moving into third. The challengers closed to the third bend but it was still Lemon Jet out front around the bottom bends. However Faypoint Man struck the front early in the straight and went on to win by a length from St Louis Spirit in 29.06 with Master Blaster finishing powerfully to deny Lemon Jet of third by a length and a half. Faypoint Man is a son of Yeah Man and Go Wild Donna and is trained by Buckley for Keith Allsop.
There was huge interest in the final of the Dobbs Oil Unraced Stake and it was Michael Dalton’s Express Call (Tyrur Ted/ Airport Express) that took the top prize in 29.19. Backed into favouritism, Express Call quickly showed in front and led all the way to beat Hidden Universe by a length with Air Force Solo doing his best work late to be another length third.
There was a thrilling Hi Spec Open 700 that saw John Doyle’s Kiltrea Kev (Westmead Hawk/ Kiltrea Lucy) claim his place in the Gain Corn Cuchulainn when just edging out Kerryroad Baba by a neck in 40.39.
TED FASTEST IN MUNSTER
Sunday, June 20th
The Paul Hennessy trained He Told Ted (Tyrur Ted/ Who Told Marge) was fastest in the quarter finals of the Supporters Club Munster Derby at Clonmel on Sunday.
Owned by the trainer’s brother-in-law Philip O’Keeffe, He Told Ted took it up from Fatboyz Crackers on the fourth bend and went on to win by two lengths from Fatboyz Crackers in 28.68, with Priceless Chef a length third.
In the second heat the James Ruth trained Soldier Laddie (Razldazl Billy/ Sli An Eolais) got away smartly and led all the way before holding the strong challenge of Must Be Chaos by a length in 28.82 with Philipstown Lad two lengths away third.
Maria Byrne owns and trains Dysert O’Shea (Droopys Vieri/ Davdor Dashing) which led from halfway in Heat 3 and stayed on well for a two length margin over Boystown Gamble in 28.80, with Kick For Touch another two lengths third.
The final heat saw the Jerry Griffin trained Churchview Joker (Westmead Joe/ Churchview Model) take over from Village Boy entering the third bend and he then held the run of Forest Rico by half a length in 28.98. Belindas Lee also reached the semis another three lengths back.
TRAP DRAW
Draw for next Sunday’s semi-finals:
Heat 1: 1 Philipstown Lad; 2 Priceless Chef; 3 Forest Rico; 4 Boystown Gamble; 5 Must Be Chaos; 6 Belindas Lee (m).
Heat 2: 1 Kick For Touch; 2 He Told Ted; 3 Soldier Laddie; 4 Churchview Joker; 5 Dysert O’Shea; 6 Fatboyz Crackers (m).
DILEMMA’S 8-1 CHAMPIONS SHOCKER
Friday, June 18th
A massive crowd turned up at the Kingdom Stadium on Friday night for the Kerry GAA benefit meeting and they witnessed some very fine racing.
They also saw the €20,000 Lynch Family/ Paddy O’Sullivan Memorial Race of Champions being claimed by the 8-1 outsider Beaming Dilemma after a thrilling contest.
Trainer Pat Buckley had two runners in the final and was expected to win it with the 2-1 favourite Tullymurry Act - but it was with the perceived second string Beaming Dilemma that he landed the €20,000 prize.
Tullymurry Act missed the start and trailed the field to the bend while the slick starting Beaming Dilemma made the most of his favoured inside box and led up from Sevenheads Bay and Colorful Champ.
The rails-hugging Beaming Dilemma led by a length out of the second bend and extended that to two and a half lengths by halfway. But now Graham Holland’s Laurels winner Sevenheads Bay began to close and there was just a length between them turning for home.
In a pulsating finish Beaming Dilemma simply refused to concede and the two dogs flashed across the line virtually locked together. It was desperately close but after quite a while it was announced that Beaming Dilemma had prevailed by a short head from Sevenheads Bay in a brilliant 28.66. Tullymurry Act was travelling fastest of all at the finish and was just a length back in third.
This was a memorable night at the Kingdom Stadium with one of the biggest crowds ever turning up to savour the occasion. But happiest of all were breeder Pauline Ryan and the two six-year old owners Joshua Ryan and Cillein O’Brien. The winner is a son of Brett Lee and Beaming Heart and had earlier in the season won the Guinness Trophy at Cork.
Top of the supporting performances was the 28.45 from Pa Fitzgerald’s veteran performer Ballymac Under as he hit the front on the second bend in the concluding contest and went on to win by three and a half lengths from Forest Boss.
LEGAL BEST AT LONGFORD
Friday, June 18th
While Pat Buckley was being toasted at Tralee his cousin Liam Buckley had the fastest winner in the opening round of the Broadway Pet Food Longford Derby at Longford.
Legal Fire, a May ’07 son of Tyrur Ted and Legal Moment, led all the way to win by almost three lengths from Dockland Sam in 28.57.
Next best was Michael Mulleady’s Coolamber Rob (Top Honcho/ Rince Girl) as he led all for a three and a half length margin over Penskey John in 28.69 while Tony Fahy’s Missy Lou (Razldazl Billy/ Springwell was just two spots slower as she beat Curryann Ted by a short head in 28.71.
Other heat winners were Taz Mania (Tyrur Ted/ Cathy Ann) in 29.01, Drumalee Classic (Premier County/ Tamna Classic) 28.87, Portumna Ash (Top Savings/ Lady Ecko) 29.10, Cleveland Brian (Droopys Kewell/ Wernham Lass) 28.79, Tahina Jamie (Hallucinate/ Droopys Bunton) 28.79, Hare Mack (Brett Lee/ Ballymac Hare) 28.85 and Drimsilla Hunter (Droopys Kewell/ Loclar Minnie) 29.03.
CARLOWS’ MEMORIAL
Sunday, June 13th
Carlows Pride claimed his second major sprinting prize at Lifford on Sunday evening when easily landing odds of 1-2 in the final of the Hugh Duffy Memorial Open 350.
Unbeaten en route to the final, the Jim Morrissey trained son of Top Savings and Movelong Rose was fast into stride and led all the way.
Winner of the Super Sprint at this track last year for the Count Me In Syndicate, Carlows Pride raced on powerfully to win by two and a quarter lengths from Fahrenheit Flick in 18.58 with Egmont Daddy some four lengths further back in third.
A MUNSTER TOUCH
Sunday, June 13th
The Mossie O’Connor trained Kick For Touch (Droopys Vieri/ Trionas Choice) produced a brilliant effort when fastest in the second round of the Supporters Club Munster Derby at Clonmel on Sunday evening. Owned by Tom Nolan and Tom Ahern, Kick For Touch clocked 28.63 as he beat Saturday’s night’s Cork finalist Priceless Chef by three lengths.
The other heat winners were Forest Raven (Top Honcho/ Coolavanny Posh) 29.19, Fatboyz Crackers (Royal Impact/ Whitefort Wood) 28.91, He Told Ted (Tyrur Ted/ Who Told Marge) 28.67, Philipstown Lad (Westmead Hawk/ Kerryroad Lucy) 29.17, Highview Icon (Hades Rocket/ Coolemount Flair) 28.77, Boystown Gamble (Roanokee/ Torpeys Gamble) 29.14 and Village Boy (Big Daddy Cool/ Joes Spiral) 29.01.
The Tom O’Neill trained Zack Zolton (Droopys Vieri/ Mollys Daughter) was the winner of the Mahogany Kennels A6 final when leading home Dromana Max by two lengths in 29.18.
BUCKO’S COX IN RECORD TIME
Friday, June 11th
The Conor Fahy trained Tyrur Bucko was a runaway winner of the Cox Cup final at Newbridge on Friday night when flying from traps and leading all the way in a new track record time of 29.51, an improvement of five spots on the previous mark set in the semi by Definate Opinion.
Now owned by the Seven Pioneers Syndicate which includes Daryl Fahy, Johnny Collins and others, Tyrur Bucko (Tyrur Ted/ Tyrur Lisa) took an absolute flyer from trap three and was clear from Quick Lee and St Louis Spirit into the back straight. From here it was all plain sailing for the July ’07 whelp.
St Louis Spirit moved second around the bottom bends and ran on well. However, maintaining a very strong gallop to the line, Tyrur Bucko won by five lengths from St Louis Spirit in 29.51 with Definate Opinion another four lengths adrift in third.
The Consolation was won by Martin Lappin’s Must Be Cantona (Droopys Scolari/ Mega Delight) in 29.66. Trained by Fraser Black and formerly known as Westmead Fleet, Cantona got up late to beat Monlesa Alsation by a head, with Olympic Double some two and a half lengths third.
It was a remarkable night for the Tyrur dogs and they actually claimed two track records. In addition to Bucko, Tyrur Chris (Tyrur Ted/ Tyrur Jade) set a new mark for the 600 yards when leading all the way for a five length margin over Master Blaster in 32.40, an improvement of sixteen spots on the old record set by The Other Master back in 2002.
CHAMP BEST IN CHAMPIONS
Friday, June 11th
The Paul Hennessy trained Colorful Champ (Top Honcho/ Sly Fox) posted the fastest time in the semi-finals of the Lynch Family/ Paddy O’Sullivan Race of Champions at Tralee on Friday night.
Owned by the Have A Nice Day Syndicate, Colorful Champ produced a brilliant run in the opening semi when going close to the record with a 29.68 effort. He broke fast from the inside and led up from Lassa Extreme and Beaming Dilemma. The latter went second when Lassa moved wide on the opening bend but Colorful Champ was two and a half lengths clear into the far side.
Lassa Extreme came storming back to go second on the third bend and he really finished strongly but at the line was still a length and a half adrift of Colorful Champ with Beaming Dilemma holding on to third another five lengths adrift.
The second semi saw the Pat Buckley trained Tullymurry Act (Top Honcho/ Europa Spitfire) produce another brilliant effort as he won in 29.80. Sevenheads Bay cut out the running here as Bar Blackstone moved in at the start and bumped Tullymurry Act.
However Tullymurry took it up at halfway and ran on to some effect, enjoying a two and a half lengths advantage over Sevenheads Bay with Bar Blackstone another two lengths adrift in third.
TRAP DRAW
Trap draw for next Friday’s Race of Champions final:
1 Beaming Dilemma; 2 Lassa Extreme; 3 Tullymurry Act; 4 Sevenheads Bay; 5 Colorful Champ; 6 Bar Blackstone.
A STYLISH SOLO
Friday, June 11th
Gowran trainer Paul Hennessy is enjoying quite a run at the moment with his young talent really turning on the style. One worth noting is the Keith Doherty and Peter O’Toole owned Air Force Solo (Top Honcho/ Nifty Princess) which made it three from three when winning the second semi of the Dobbs Oil Open Unraced at Kilkenny on Friday night.
The 74 pounder got away smartly and led all the way for an emphatic four length victory over Express Call in 29.01, with Kilscan Tommy a head back in third.
The other semi saw the Pat Daly owned, Michael O’Donovan trained Hidden Universe (Droopys Kewell/ Lefanta April) open his account when getting first run to win in 29.42. He went up fast and was clear on the second bend from Aptitude Test and Fat Paddy. Aptitude Test ran on really strongly but Hidden Universe still had two lengths in hand at the line with Fat Paddy some five and a half lengths back in third.
RIBOT ON THE MARK
Friday, June 11th
Paddy Byrne’s Catunda Ribot (Droopys Maldini/ Catunda Ashley) was fastest in the semi-finals of the Supporters Club Unraced Stake at Youghal on Friday. Trained by Owen McKenna, Catunda Ribot broke fast and led all the way for a three length margin over Cooly Colebe in 29.47.
There was a surprise in the opening heat where Clash Puzzle (Black Shaw/ Clash Minnie) came in as a reserve and Mairead McGrath’s tracker ran out a very comfortable three and a half length winner in 29.49. Soviet Fantasy led up but Clash Puzzle went on at this stage and was never troubled.
The semi-finals of the Supporters Club A2 were also run and Lorraine Moore’s Zaracova (Hallucinate/ Race On Katie) led the way when leading all for a length margin over reserve Mogeela Ali in 29.26. The other semi saw the John Linehan trained Droopys Palin (Droopys Vieri/ Droopys Jackie) also lead all and he held off the strong staying Knockglass Queen by three lengths in 29.40.
DUNNE’S SQUARE LEE
Friday, June 4th
Stud keeper Michael Dunne enjoyed a major success on Friday night at Tralee when his Square Bar emerged best from a tightly contested Lee Strand 550 which was run in front of a huge crowd at the Kingdom Stadium.
Priceless Palm was first to show but was joined by Green Flash on the run up with Square Bar improving between them into the bend. The Paul Hennessy trained Square Bar (Hondo Black/ Sonatina) bumped Green Flash on the bend and down the far side Square Bar and kennel companion Priceless Palm were battling it out just ahead of Lengthy Lee with slow starting Shaneboy Sport and Green Flash challenging strongly into the third bend.
Five of the runners were covered by less than a length at this stage and there was the inevitable melee with the fancied Shaneboy Sport being knocked over. Square Bar emerged in front and he ran on strongly to win by a length and a half in 30.47. Kiln Kylie, which had been last down the back, came with a flying late run to deny Lengthy Lee of second money by a short head.
OPINION’S COX RECORD
Friday, June 4th
Claims that the 2010 Cox Cup is one of the best run for many years were strongly reinforced by happenings at Newbridge on Friday night where Pat Guilfoyle’s Definate Opinion (Surf Lorian/ Josiva) produced a sensational track record breaking performance when winning the third and final heat in 29.56.
Owned by Finola Richardson, the Gain Cesarewitch winner was registering his seventh success on the trot and maintained a most impressive unbeaten 2010 record. It was a tremendous buckle with Definate Opinion hitting the ground first but Tyrur Bucko winning the race to the bend to lead by a length around the bend. Then Definate Opinion displayed his class as he raced to the front at halfway and went on to win by two and a half lengths from Tyrur Bucko with Monlesa Alsation a length third.
The Fraser Black trained Westmead Bolt (Droopys Scolari/ Mega Delight) retained his unbeaten record in the competition when running out a most impressive winner of the opening semi.
The hot favourite got away smartly and just shaded the bend from Three One Three. The slow starting St Louis Spirit did well to go second early in the back and he gave pursuit. But Westmead Bolt was never going to be beaten and ran on strongly to win by three lengths from St Louis Spirit in 29.66 with Three One Three some three and a half lengths back in third.
The second semi saw John Robinson’s Quick Lee (Brett Lee/ Brave Pony) lead all the way for a three and a half length verdict over Ballymac Tipp in 29.86. As the field moved inwards on the run up, Quick Lee left them for dead on the outside and was a clear leader around the corner. At this stage Ballymac Tipp moved into second and he finished two and a half lengths in front of Westmead Fleet which finished strongly. .
TRAP DRAW
[Trap draw for next Friday’s final]
1 Quick Lee; 2 Definate Opinion; 3 Tyrur Bucko; 4 Westmead Bolt; 5 Ballymac Tipp; 6 St Louis Spirit (w).
CONSOLATION FINAL: 1 Westmead Fleet; 2 Monlesa Alsation; 3 Slick Boy; 4 Olympic Double; 5 Ballyneale Bull (m); 6 Three One Three (m).
AN EXPRESS CALL
Friday, June 4th
Michael Dalton’s Express Call (Tyrur Ted/ Airport Express) was fastest in the second round heats of the Dobbs Oil Open Unraced Stake at Kilkenny on Friday. He followed up his from-behind first round victory by leading all this time when beating Courtwood State by three lengths in 29.35.
Just two spots behind on the clock was the Paul Hennessy trained Air Force Solo (Top Honcho/ Nifty Princess) which had been known as Tip Man when by far the fastest first round winner. Now owned by Keith Doherty and Peter O’Toole, Air Force Solo led all for a five length margin over Liffeyside Jo in 29.37.
In the second heat the Stephen Bourke trained Kilscan Tommy (Go Wild Teddy/ Trey Belinda) maintained his unbeaten record when staying strongly for a five and a half length verdict over Fat Paddy in 29.43.
The other heat winner was Kevin McLean’s Montos Sal (Montos Mark/ Droopys Sal) as she led all the way for a four and a half length margin over Hidden Universe in 29.54.
BOLT EQUALS RECORD
Friday, May 28th
Fraser Black had the perfect eve to his English Derby final challenge when Westmead Bolt equalled the track record of 29.62 in winning his second round heat of the Cox Cup at Newbridge on Friday night.
The Bob Morton owned son of Droopys Scolari and Mega Delight hit the front at the third bend when winning by two lengths and half a length from Ballyneale Bull and Monks Patriot.
Times were fast throughout the stake and the opening heat was a real thriller as Jerry Griffin’s St Louis Spirit (Droopys Scholes/ Owens Rover) and Graham Holland’s Carib King had a neck and neck battle all the way with St Louis edging it by a short head in 29.84 with Quick Lee six lengths third.
Next it was the turn of Pat Guilfoyle’s Definate Opinion (Surf Lorian/ Josiva) when leading all for a four length margin over the strong finishing Westmead Fleet in 29.81.
Monlesa Alsation (Hondo Black/ Cabin Rose) had his first success since joining Brian Kirwan when an all the way winner of Heat 4 from the hampered Tyrur Bucko in 29.77, with Hello Hippy qualifying in third.
The fifth heat was a very messy affair with most of the field involved in a third bend melee and it was Jim Morrissey’s Graigues Dreamer (Head Bound/ Graigues Haze) that got up late for a neck margin over Nighthawk Boy in 30.57. Just two short heads then covered Three One Three and Tranquil Time.
The Liam O’Rourke trained Ballymac Tipp (Crash/ Pony Penny) returned to his best form with a fine performance in the final heat where he came away racing and won by two lengths from Jeddies Star in 29.78, with Mottee Denis a half length third.
* Semi-final draw and Form in Events.
SHANEBOY THE LEE STAR
Friday, May 28th
Michael Kiely’s Shaneboy Sport (Ballymac Maeve/ Shaneboy Dorie) was fastest in the semi-finals of the Lee Strand 550 at Tralee on Friday night. He won the opening heat in 30.13, a race from which the favourite Nicken Shaw was an absentee.
Da Dancer led to the bend where Shaneboy Sport worked his way through on the inside to take it up. The reserve Kiln Kylie produced a fine burst of speed from halfway to go second and was closing fast up the straight but at the line Shaneboy still had a length and a half in hand with Green Flash some four and a half lengths third.
Coming off the final bend it looked as though any one of three could win it as Square Bar and White Coat were virtually inseparable and Lengthy Lee was moving hard on the outside. But then up the inside with a flying late run came the Paul Hennessy trained Priceless Palm (Head Bound/ Dims Dippy) and she snatched it by three parts of a length in 30.29. Lengthy Lee took second by half a length from Square Bar with White Coat losing out by a short head.
SHAW FASTEST AGAIN
Friday, 21st May
The much anticipated clash of Nicken Shaw and Canary Dave promised plenty at Tralee on Friday in the quarter finals of the Lee Strand Charity 550, but as so often happens in this instances, it never really materialised.
Nicken Shaw (Black Shaw/ Nickray Supreme) made the best start from a favourable draw on the fence to lead from the outset, while Canary Dave suffered serious traffic problems throughout. This left Nicken Shaw to cruise clear for a facile fifteen length victory in a fastest of the round 30.09, while Canary Dave failed to qualify. Instead second spot went to Da Dancer, with Da Begger finishing a head away in third.
Paul Hennessy was the man to follow in the opening two quarter finals. The progressive Square Bar, after scoring at Shelbourne Park the previous evening, took charge at the third turn in the opening heat before drawing clear to beat White Coat and Headleys Sunrise by a three lengths and a length and a half in 30.18.
Fifteen minutes later Pricless Palm (Head Bound/ Dims Dippy) came from last spot with a thundering finishing burst to lead late for a length success over Lengthy Lee in 30.51.
Green Flash (Green Heat/ Ballymac Freddie) took the final heat after moving to the front early in the back straight. Holding the late challenge of Shaneboy Sport, Green Flash held on by a half length in 30.41.
*Semi Final draw can be found in Upcoming Meetings
REX BEST IN LEE
Friday, May 8th
Bought by David Buckley after contesting the semi-finals of the Shelbourne Aston Unraced at Shelbourne and now under the care of Johnny O’Sullivan, Bellmore Rex was fastest when the second remaining heats of Lee Strand 550 were run at Tralee on Friday.
The son of Magical Captain and Goldmine Rumble broke fast in Heat 12 and the 9-4 chance led home the 2-1 favourite Headleys Sunrise by three and a half lengths in 30.17.
Next best on the night was the Chris Houlihan trained Rycon Ciara (Droopys Vieri/ Churchview Model) as she won by a length and a half from Jeffs Hi Rumble in 30.31. The other heat winners were Kicking Tune 30.58, White Coat 30.34, Tilemaster Jade 30.50, Annadale Turbo 30.52, Rockland Mujo 30.53 and Hollys Blue 30.47.
A FOREST MEMORIAL
Friday, May 8th
Paddy Kehoe added another winning chapter to his record when turning out Forest Boots to win the final of the Mick Dempsey Memorial A2 550 at Newbridge on Friday.
The son of Head Bound and Forest Kim owned by the Bainne Boy Syndicate was away smartly and took over on the back straight from Burnt Oak Jenny. Inagh Heineken arrived with a strong challenge but Forest Boots held him by three parts of a length in 29.99 with Burnt Oak Jenny some two and a half lengths adrift in third.
DAVE A LEE FLYER
Wednesday, May 5th
The 2010 Lee Strand 550 got off to a very interesting start at Tralee on Tuesday night and it threw up a leading fancy when the Jim Healy and John McGough owned Canary Dave (Daves Mentor/ Lovely Dog) was a runaway winner of the second heat in 29.97.
Not having raced since November last, Canary Dave when off favourite and led all the way to win by eight lengths from Blakefield Tina.
Another to impress was the Pat Buckley owned Kiln Kylie (Hallucinate/ Kiln Lark) which won by no less than fourteen lengths from Compass Queen in 30.29. Even better on the clock was the Stephen Wadsworth trained Da Begger (Crash/ Flyers Glory) as he took it up on the fourth bend for a length verdict over Movealong Storm in 30.18.
The other winners at the opening session were Fenit Breese in 30.56, Go Columbo in 30.42 and Millabbey Peejay in 30.33.
The supporting card included the final of the Tralee GAA Buster Stake and the €1,000 prize was claimed by the Chris Houlihan trained Cool Model (Droopys Vieri/ Churchtown Model) which had half a length in hand of Killorane Boy in 28.89.
FERDIA MAKES 8
Friday, April 30th
Much travelled stayer added an eighth track to his list of venues where he has managed to record a victory when he landed the odds in the Bookmakers Open 835 at Drumbo Park on Friday night.
It was a splendid night at Drumbo with considerable funds being raised for the Annabel McEnery Children’s Cancer Fund and organiser Michael McEnery said: “We had a very successful evening complemented by a competitive and entertaining card. There were plenty of highlights, Ferdia Bound’s win in the 835, Shaylas Secret winning the bitch open and Quarterland Joe in the final race”.
The Kevin Commins owned Ferdia Bound (Head Bound/ Minnies Sparkler) had a great battle with Corporate Scoop throughout but the 2-5 favourite was a length and a half to the good at the line in 46.84.
Fastest over the 525 trip was Michael Calvert’s Keen Shaw as he led home Marinas Puma by a couple of lengths in 28.79 while Ronnie McKeown’s Shaylas Secret (Top Savings/ Mollys Daughter) gained her 17th victory when beating Guiding Flower by four lengths in 28.86.
MICHAEL’S BREEZE
Friday, April 23rd
Michael Cashman’s January Breeze (Top Honcho/ January Vixen) maintained his unbeaten path through the Ned Walsh Memorial at Youghal when winning the €1,700 prize on Friday night.
Ideally housed in the inside box, January Breeze just took the bend from Compass Danny and led all the way from there for a four and a half length verdict over Compass in 30.61, with Goblet Of Fun another three lengths adrift in third.
COMPASS FASTEST, AS JIM DOUBLES UP AGAIN
Friday, 16th April
A good size crowd enjoyed fine sport at Kilkenny track this Friday, as the 2nd round heats of The Broadway Pet Foods McCalmount Cup took centre stage.
Compass Hodge owned by Helen Wadsworth recorded the best time of the night when stopping the clock in a smart 29.15. Showing great early pace up the rails this June’ 07 black dog ran out an impressive four length winner.
In the opening round last week trainer Jim Morrissey sent out Jacks Dynamite and Jacks Navigator to score for owner Larry O’Shea. And to show it was no fluke he repeated the feat when taking heats 1 & 3 tonight. Dynamite finished full of running to win by four lengths in a time of 29.23, after suffering bad crowding on the run up. Navigator looked equally as good, hampered twice he came through to lead turning for home before pulling away for a two length victory in 29.33.
The locals have a real live chance of keeping the cup at home with the John Byrne owned Dryland Ted. This big striding 76pounder is improving all the time and grabbed a first bend lead from the fast starting Ballybough Lad. Once in front he galloped away to win to take a one and a half length success in 29.22.
Northsider owned by the T-D-C.Syndicate was in control from trap rise in heat 4 and won with a great deal of authority when beating his rivals by three and a half lengths in 29.32.
Seamus Whelan’s - Piercestown Pet proved two lengths too good for her opponents in heat 2. After a level break this consistent black bitch finished best to score in a time of 29.35.
*Track rated .20 slow.
MO ON TARGET
Friday, April 16th
Maurice Heffernan’s Sillott Mo (Crash/ Downalong) sprang a surprise when winning the €2,000 Brennan & Cosgroves A3 525 final at Newbridge on Friday night.
The 4-1 chance was slowly away but came with a big late run to beat Straw Nap by a length and a half in 28.96 with Pennys Byrns a half length third.
Also on the card was the final of the D-Vine Catering 525 and here Tony Byrne’s Monks Patriot (Head Bound/ Monks Folly) led all the way when beating Hi Gambler by five lengths in 28.78.
BALLYBOUGH LAD SETS THE STANDARD
Friday 9th April
The Pat Carroll owned and Murt Leahy trained Ballybough Lad came in as reserve in heat 3 of The Broadway Pet Foods McCalmount Cup at Kilkenny tonight and made every post a winning one when stopping the clock in the fastest of the night 29.01.
It was also a good night for trainer Jim Morrissey and owner Larry O’Shea when they turned out both Jacks Navigator to score in heat 2 in 29.47 and Jacks Dynamite who landed the odds in heat 6 in a time of 29.23.
Raheen Phantom (heat 9) owned by Patrick and Paul Cushen looked smart when taking it up down the back straight to win by two lengths in 29.24.
Marshals Lady owned by Marie Roche was in control by the first and held off all comers to spring a surprise 8/1 victory in heat 7 in 29.64.
Other heat winners: Petite Treasure 29.67, Lightning Peejay 29.42, Pluto Rocket 29.60, Running Smart 29.66 and Sandyhill Turbo 29.46.
CHAMP WARMS UP
Sunday, March 28th
Leading Produce Stakes prospect Colorful Champ showed his class with an emphatic victory in an Open 525 at Clonmel on Sunday evening.
Paul Hennessy’s charge came in as a reserve for his kennel companion Priceless Chef and he duly scored in 28.69. He was only third to the bend behind Newlawn Cowboy and Bay City Jack and then chased the latter down the back.
Hitting the front entering the third bend, Colorful Champ ran on strongly to hold the late runs of Faypoint Dave and Noelles Kido by three lengths and a short head.
There was another eye catching run on the card as Pa Fitzgerald gave Coolcastle Jet his second ever race and he won by a dozen lengths in 28.65. He stumbled at the start of his debut race in the Unraced Stake at Clonmel in January and hadn’t been seen since. However the son of Rackethall Jet and Liscahane Fiery really turned it on down the back as he drew right away for a twelve length margin over Jackos Catch.
JIM’S JUVENILE DAZZLER
Friday, March 26th
The final of the Mike Cronin Readymix Juvenile Classic lived up to its billing at Tralee on Friday night and it took a fantastic performance from the Jim Morrissey trained Dromore Dazzler to overcome the hot favourite Big Appetite in a scorching best of the competition 28.66.
First reaction to the race would be to suggest that in Dromore Dazzler and Big Appetite we have two potential champions and their future progress will be monitored with considerable interest. The immediate future for Dromore Dazzler will be Shelbourne Park as the son of Razldazl Billy and Graigues Echo will be aimed at the E.C.C. Timber Open 550 (See Hot Gossip).
Coolavanny Rambo was quickest to hit the ground from trap three and Noel Browne’s dog edged immediately outwards, thus giving market leaders Big Appetite and Dromore Dazzler buckets of room on the run to the bend.
Big Appetite took the opportunity as he got up the inside of Coolavanny Rambo and the latter shipped a bump while both Ballymac Norman and Ardera Guy were baulked. Dromore Dazzler followed Big Appetite through into second place and the scene was set for a battle royal.
Big Appetite led by a length at halfway but Dromore Dazzler then displayed a fantastic burst of pace into the third bend that saw him forge ahead and he was a length clear turning for home. Big Appetite switched inside to try and deliver his challenge but Dromore Dazzler is a very strong runner and he powered up the straight to win by a length from Big Appetite in 28.66, with Headleys Mentor staying on well some three and a half lengths further back in third.
Dromore Dazzler was bred by trainer Morrissey for owner Liz Murphy from Brosna in County Kerry and it was a hugely popular Kerry victory.
The Consolation was won by Jim Armshaw’s Shaws Bellamy (Droopys Vieri/ Saffron Border) which made full use of his inside draw to nip through the gap as the outside runners were involved in serious crowding on the opening corner. From here Shaws Bellamy dominated and won by two lengths from Paradise Alexus in 29.26.
NED FASTEST OF THE YEAR
Friday, March 26th
Brian McCann’s Ned From Donard (Droopys Scolari/ Farloe Batch) became the fastest dog around Harold’s Cross this year for the 525 distance when winning his semi-final of the A2 Stake in 28.70 on Friday night.
Having won in 28.93 a week ago, Ned From Donard flew from the four box and led all the way for a seven and a half length margin over Clonarrow Rocket.
The other heats were won by Jayne Hegarty’s Aines Cookie (Crash/ Shes Golden) in 28.92 and Lar Kinsella’s Late Again (Crash/ Late Delivery) in 29.06.
LADDIE DOES IT AGAIN
Friday, March 12th
Fastest first round winner Soldier Laddie (Razldazl Billy/ Sli An Eolais) was again the star of the show when the second round of the Mike Cronin Readymix Juvenile Classic was run at Tralee on Friday night. The 4-6 favourite, jointly owned by Joyce and Andrew O’Regan, again popped out smartly and raced to the bend with Coolavanny Rambo.
However Soldier Laddie asserted on the bend and quickly went clear, eventually coming home six lengths clear of Paradise Alexus in 28.85 with Coolavanny Rambo a short head third.
This was just one spot faster than Michael O’Donovan trained Big Appetite (Crash/ Beaming Heart) when winning Heat 2. Pat Daly’s youngster railed well to chase fast starting Shaws Bellamy into the back. Big Appetite moved strongly to take it up on the third bend and pulled away for a four and a half length verdict over Shaws Bellamy in 28.86. Headleys Mentor was a staying head third.
There was a big upset in the opening heat when John Kelliher’s I Dunno Boy (Westmead Joe/ Grab A Granny) came up trumps at 7-1. I Dunno Boy was fast away and moved outwards but he led all when beating Zupjack by two and a half lengths in 29.22 with the hotly fancied Sizzling Rambler almost two lengths back in third.
So impressive when coming from last to first in the first round, the Jim Morrissey trained Dromore Dazzler (Razldazl Billy/ Graigues Echo) was a very easy winner of Heat 3 when coming home six lengths clear of Ballymac Norman in 29.07. Dromore was much quicker into stride this time and took over before the third bend and then raced right away for another impressive victory.
Morrissey went on to complete a double when his own dog Graigues Classic (Top Honcho/ Graigues Ditto) was a runaway nine length winner of Heat 4 in 29.01. Graigues Classic got away smartly, took command by the opening bend and went on for a big margin over the strong staying Shaneboy Sport with Ardera Guy a length and a half back in third.
The round ended with a five dog race in the absence of Killahas Ginger. Here Dom Ryan’s Destined Fortune (Crash/ Beaming Heart) was fast into stride and was clear by the back straight. He wasn’t pressed to win by two lengths from the strong finishing Lazy Moment in 29.08, with Knockbawn Sirius some five lengths third.
A JUVENILE LADDIE
Friday, March 5th
There was some exceptional racing at Tralee on Friday night when the Mike Cronin Juvenile Classic got underway and Joyce and Andrew O’Regan’s Soldier Laddie (Razldazl Billy/ Sli An Eolais) proved the star of the occasion as he led from the first bend to win by six and a half lengths from Mailroad Ardfert in 28.75. The winner took it up from Mailroad on the opening bend and quickly went clear.
There were other eye-catching performances, particularly from the Nicola Downes owned Big Ego (Boherduff Light/ Droopys Sporty) which led all in Heat 7 for a four and a half length verdict over Game Darragh in 28.84.
The early pace-setter was Michael O’Donovan’s Big Appetite (Crash/ Beaming Heart) as he took it up on the third bend from I Dunno Boy and went on to win by a length and a half in 28.88.
Another to dip under 29 was Pat O’Connor’s Sizzling Rambler (Westmead Hawk/ Broadway Sizzler) as he led from the first bend in beating Ballymac Jason by almost two lengths in 28.87.
The other heat winners were Mossy O’Connor’s Killahas Ginger (Brett Lee/ Templenacro Dubh) 29.11, Frances O’Donnell’s Hollys Wish (Skywalker Magic/ Thornley Mist) 29.15, Jim Armshaw’s Shaws Bellamy (Droopys Vieri/ Saffron Border) 29.02, Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Lomu (Tyrur Lomu/ Coolavanny Minor) 28.98, the eye-catching Dromore Dazzler (Razldazl Billy/ Graigues Echo) 29.04 and Pat Carey’s Holly Wood (Hondo Black/ Cabin Rose) 29.26.
YES, HE’S THE BOSS
Friday, March 5th
Last year’s Irish Sprint Cup winner Yes Boss (Crash/ Cabin Rose) lived up to his rating when posting the fastest time in the first session of the Kudos Supersprint at Curraheen Park on Friday night.
The Eoin O’Neill trained Yes Boss was always in command as he won by three and a half lengths from Fast Con in 18.09.
The opening heat saw the reserve Portmagee Ranger lead home Skeough Katie in 18.31 while in the second heat it was Jerry O’Sullivan’s Kilmoney Paul that led home Three One Three by a length in 18.18. The other heat winner was Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Mitsy as she had four lengths to spare over Cool Scorpion in 18.21.
INSEPARABLE ON THE CLOCK
Saturday, February 20th
The semi-finals of the John & Mary Dowling Memorial 570 topped the bill at Tralee on Friday and both contests were won in identical times with the Graham Holland trained Titan Tyrone and Dan Nolan’s Ardrahan Rotunda both stopping the clock in 31.49.
Titan Tyrone (Premier County/ Shalome) landed odds of 4-6 in the opener when leading from the first bend for a three and a half length victory over Fortfield Maeve with Stackies Book two lengths back in third.
The other semi was won by Dan Nolan’s Ardrahan Rotunda (Razldazl Billy/ Whatsthemoodlike) as he broke smartly and led all the way for a length and a half margin over Compass Smash with Compass Miko a half length back in third.
ARDRAHAN IS HOT
Friday, February 12th
Dan Nolan’s Ardrahan Rotunda (Razldazl Billy/ Whatsthemoodlike) maintained his unbeaten run in the event when a 4-1 scorer in the final heat of the John & Mary “Killeacle” Dowling Memorial at Tralee on Friday.
The 4-1 chance got away smartly and led all the way for a comprehensive six length margin over Knockbawn Gorm in 31.69, the fastest time of the night on ground rated at .50s slow.
The only winning favourite was Graham Holland’s Titan Tyrone (Premier County/ Shalome) as he took it up on the second bend in Heat 3 and went on to beat Dunsallagh Milo by two and a half lengths in 31.73.
The opening heat was won by Maeve McMahon’s Fortfield Maeve (Ballymac Maeve/ Finuge Lass) which also led from the second bend when beating Sashas Tippa by a length and a half in 32.00.
The other heat was a mighty tight affair but resulted in Larry Keane’s Rathanny Billy (Split The Bill/ Cleanglass Maid) edging out Ballyfidora Pal and Carrowkeal Sam by a neck and the same in 31.87.
LANNEY’S GATILLO
Friday, February 5th
There was a very appropriate outcome to the final of the €1,000 Johnny Gatillo @ Stud Open Hurdle at Harold’s Cross on Friday when Steve Locke’s Little Boy ran out an easy winner in 29.58.
Johnny Gatillo was trained by Martin Lanney to win the Irish Sprint Cup at Dundalk two years back and Little Boy is handled by Lanney. The son of Honcho Classic and Any Time Soon took it up on the opening bend and ran out a four lengths winner from Navajo Hailpin with Catunda Dylan a half length third.
SMART TRALEE TIMES
Friday, February 5th
There were some smart times when the first round of the John & Mary “Killeacle” Dowling Memorial A1 570 got underway at Tralee on Friday.
Kathleen Murphy’s Carrowkeal Sam (Digital/ Pony Plan) was an easy six and a half length winner of the opening heat from Dunsallagh Milo in 31.08 and that time was equalled by the Graham Holland trained Titan Tyrone (Premier County/ Shalome) as he beat Aer Bus by a couple of lengths in the second heat.
The other heat winners were Ardrahan Rotunda 31.61, Compass Smash 31.15, Briens Blackie 31.53, Kincraig Ranger 31.65 and Polar Rocket 31.24.
On the same card the final of the 3 Mobile Open 550 was won by the Johnny Regan trained More Pain (Droopys Vieri/ Baltovin Lulu) which got up late for a three parts of a length margin over Pencray Lass in 29.99.
McKENNA’S SPRINT DOUBLE
Sunday, January 31st
Trainer Owen McKenna got the week off to the perfect start when winning both semi-finals of the Droopys Kennels Open Sprint at Clonmel on Sunday evening.
He turned out Eamon Curley’s Curlew Mountain (Droopys Vieri/ Odette) to win the opening heat by four lengths from Jolly Treasure in 16.23. The veteran Ullid Conor also got through to the final a half length back in third.
There was a brilliant run from Faypoint Dec (Droopys Scolari/ Youraisemeup) in the second heat. The dog trained by McKenna for his wife Sian and Patricia Flanagan scorched from traps and raced to a hugely impressive six length verdict from Broadacres Lee in 15.99 with Lord Casleisland a short head adrift in third.