Tomahurra Chase on top as racing resumes
RACING WAS able to get going again at Enniscorthy Greyhound Track on Thursday after the disruption of the big snow.
The feature race was the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial trial stake, and it was a little disappointing to have only four runners.
However, there was a good local winner in the shape of the Eimear Kehoe-owned Tomahurra Chase.
The victor got away well to lead and ran out an easy winner by four and a half lengths for trainer Donal Kehoe in a time of 28.94.
The victor will now probably head to Limerick for a tilt at the big competition itself.
Kilmore owner/trainer Ian Tierney’s good run of form continued in race two when Moma Mermaid, despite being slow away in this sprin, came through to score by a wide margin, recording her fifth win from only eleven starts.
The Carol O’Connor (Ferns)-owned Rockmount Rio got off the mark early, winning race one by a snug one and a half lengths for Ferns trainer Brendan Murphy.
Race six, the sprint, saw a win for owners Stephen and Veronica Byrne with Liberty Marie who got the lead by the first bend and recorded a good 18.95.
The upcoming Red Mills unraced stake, due to start next week, will bring a big crowd as this early season event has produced an English derby winner.
Can lightning strike again? Monday night, March 19, is the date to come and see the stars of the future in action.
Friday was a good night for Co. Wexford runners both at Shelbourne and Newbridge.
Two runners will feature in finals on this Friday night’s card at Shebourne.
Cougar County, owned and trained by John Murray (Piercestown), won her semi-final and will contest the A2 bitch stake.
Meanwhile, the Vincent Morris (Rosslare Harbour)-trained Tanami Sand also won her semi of the A4 bitch stake and is well drawn in trap one again this week.
Meanwhile, at Newbridge the Red Mills unraced bitch stake got under way.
Wexford town owner/trainer Brendan Frayne won this stake last year and was again on the mark when his bitch, Sheilas Machine, took heat three in a time of 29.08. The semi-finals will be run this Friday night.
Race one, The Welcome to Enniscorthy Stakes: 1, Rockmount Rio (owner, Carol O’Connor, Ferns; trainer, Brendan Murphy), 29.52; 2, Reva Diva, 29.62.
Race two, The Show Grounds Sprint Stakes: 1, Moma Mermaid (owners, Ian and Diane Tierney, Kilmore), 19.04; 2, Dollar Bay Bowe, 19.35.
Race three, The Market Square 525 Stakes: 1, Crucial Zara (owner, Philip Coleman, Co. Wexford), 29.67; 2, Piercestown Roe, 30.16.
Race four, The Trackside Diner 525 Stakes: 1, Alanas Angel (owner, Eddie Carty, Enniscorthy), 29.82; 2, Karlow Buster, 30.03.
Race five, The Hot Whiskey’s Track Bar Stakes: 1, Forest Karen (owner, Michael Meade, Passage East, Co. Waterford), 29.50; 2, Tentone Princess, 29.51.
Race six, The Enniscorthy Track Sprint Stakes: 1, Liberty Marie (owners, Stephen and Veronica Byrne, Enniscorthy), 18.95; 2, Raise A Glass, 19.09.
Race seven, The Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Trial Stake: 1, Tomahurra Chase (owner, Eimear Kehoe, Tomahurra; trainer, Donal Kehoe), 28.94; 2, Headford Iso, 29.25.
Race eight, The Loch Garman A3 525 Stakes: 1, Lord Lady (owner, Tommy Woods, Enniscorthy), 29.51; 2, Piercestown Iron, 29.72.
Race nine, The Model County Get Out Stakes A2: 1, Karlow Crean (owners, WKC syndicate, Co. Carlow), 29.06; 2, Kiltrea Brian, 29.44.