QUALITY FARE AT LIMERICK AS BLASTOFF’S STEAL THE SHOW

Peter Farrell

With the dust now settled on what was another incredible Con & Annie Kirby Memorial, it was a rather quiet affair at Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night, however, there was no shortage of quality performance on the night.

It proved a good night for Classic winning owner Philip Buckley as he sent out a terrific prospect in the shape of Blastoff Ger, who landed the opening race of the night, an ON2 525. Just an August pup, ‘Ger’ came into the contest with two modest trials, however, he produced a masterclass of front-running which would have put a seasoned performer to shame. Sent off at odds of 6/4, the son of Grangeview Ten and Blastoff Fizz made his intentions felt from the outset with a swift exit from trap three to lead. Drifting wide on the run-up, the impressive brindle drew clear down the back to manufacture a five length advantage and he maintained his relentless gallop all the way to the winning line. Emerging a five length winner over Gurtnacrehy Mark in second, the time was a brilliant 28.81 and expect to hear plenty more from this tracker in the weeks and months ahead.

SALAH SCORES IN STYLE

While one ‘Blastoff’ opened the card in impressive fashion, the curtain was brought down on proceedings with a phenomenal performance from another ‘Blastoff’ as Salah recorded the fastest time of the night.

Owned by Daniel Jones, the March 21’ fawn has always possessed excellent speed and he was to go one better than his narrow second place finish seven days prior at the Munster venue. 5/2 at the off, the son of Grangeview Ten and Blastoff Apache was headed in the opening exchanges by Kilcolgan Comet in one, however, the was short-lived as ‘Salah’ quickly excelled past his rival at the halfway mark. Drawing clear at this point, there was no catching the strapping fawn on this occasion as he stayed on expertly to win by four lengths from Kilcolgan Comet in second. The time was a blistering 28.32.

IMPRESSIVE RIO

Prior to the exploits of Blastoff Salah, there was fine performance from Drombeg Rio as he justified his 4/5 starting price to make it seven career wins for Evan McAuliffe. Another product of Grangeview Ten, the fawn was dominant throughout in this contest as he stepped out brilliantly from one to make every inch of the 550-yard trip. Coming home two and a half lengths clear of Cree Bono, the time was a rapid 29.83.

IN OTHER RACES

Race two saw a runaway victory for Sean Roche as Come After Four powered to a first career win. 2/1 at the off, the black-jacketed runner pinged out early doors to manufacture an unassailable lead rounding the opener. Some ten lengths clear down the back, the son of Burgess Bucks and Blue Robyn maintained his clear advantage to cross the line eight clear of Carrigmore Dante in second. The time was 28.90.

In race four, Girt Lad maintained his 100% career win record with a solid performance for Brenda Peters and Joy McCotter. Only a June whelp, the massive 84-pounder was headed in the opening exchanges by Carrigmore Bruno in trap three. However, ‘Lad’ showed brilliant early speed to move second around the opener and he duly powered to the front midway down the back straight. Staying on stoutly thereafter, the son of Ballymac Anton and Fahrenheit Lor, a 5/2 chance, sealed back-to-back wins with a one and a half length victory. The time was 28.75.