Rum run from Ballinaboola
Greyhound racing is back
THE FIRST meeting of the year at Enniscorthy dog track on Thursday saw some very heavy rain delay racing for safety reasons, but this did not dampen the enthusiasm of patrons who enjoyed some close finishes.
Thankfully the rain stayed away for the rest of the night.
The fastest run came in race five when the Niamh Murphy-owned Ballinaboola Rum got out fast from trap six to lead and looked like winning easily.
However, Minnies Baikal was making good headway on turning for the judge and got to within three-quarters of a length at the line in a fast 29.12 -30 slow.
The first race of the year was won by the Cora Doyle-owned Lady Diva as she got the run of the race to lead and ran on well to hold on by a length from the running-on Glenbrien Rescue in a time of 29.52 -30 slow.
Race two saw trap one runner How Ye Mary set the early pace, only for the Edward Sheridan-owned Dolls Vase to come through in the home straight to open her account by one and a half lengths in a time of 29.91.
Race three, an A6, saw a right old battle, with three runners flashing past the line with little between them.
Trap three runner On The Nod got the opening corner and went clear down the back, but by the third bend trap four’s Metric Mick closed right up to challenge.
The eventual winner, Cosy Flash, owned by John Toft, came right around both off the last bend to get up a fraction before the line to score by a head from On The Nod, with Metric a short head away in third.
Race four went to the Liam Butler Snr.-owned Cracker Be Slick. Only having his second start, he came through at the third bend to score coming away by two and a half lengths in 29.67 -30 slow.
Race six saw another exciting finish as Black Act showed the better early pace to lead and opened up a few lengths advantage over Strictly Honey down the back.
The latter was cutting into the lead all the way to the line though, and got up in the last stride to deny the game leader Black Act by a short head for owner George Roche in a time of 29.55.
Race seven saw Ballinclare Pixi score at big odds as she cleverly side-stepped the barging off the second bend to go clear down the back straight and score her second win from four starts for owner Eilish McCann.
Race eight, a good A1, saw Karlow Mike score his tenth career win when racing to the lead between the lower bends, coming on to score well in the end from the running-on Kiltrea Shay who got up near the line for second in a time of 29.40 -30 slow.
Racing continues this Thursday night, so come out and support your local track and enjoy some cracking action.
January 16 results - race one, Fáilte go dtí na Gortana Taispeáineach 525 Stakes: 1, Lady Diva (owner, Cora Doyle, Barntown), 29.22; 2, Glenbrien Rescue, 29.29.
Race two, The Enniscorthy Show Grounds 525 Stakes: 1, Dolls Vase (owner, Edward Sheridan, Co. Wicklow), 29.61; 2, How Ye Mary, 29.71.
Race three, The Loch Graman 525 Stakes: 1, Cosy Flash (owner, John Toft, Killinick), 29.53; 2, On The Nod, 29.54.
Race four, The Book Your Gala Race Night for 2020 Stakes: 1, Cracker Be Slick (owner, Liam Butler, Wexford town), 29.37; 2, Couldbegood, 29.54.
Race five, The Track Side Diner 525 Stakes: 1, Ballinaboola Rum (owner, Niamh Murphy, Ballinaboola), 28.82; 2, Minnies Baikal, 28.87.
Race six, The Raise Funds for Your Club, School or Charity 525: 1, Strictly Honey (owner, George Roche, Barntown), 29.25; 2, Blacks Act, 29.26.
Race seven, The Let’s Keep Racing in Enniscorthy Show Grounds 525: 1, Ballinclare Pixi (owner, Eilish McCann, Gorey), 29.53; 2, Neamstown Robin, 29.74.
Race eight, The Slán Abhaile 525 Stakes: 1, Karlow Mike (owners, WKC syndicate, Bagenalstown), 29.10; 2, Kiltrea Shay, 29.27.