Sarah sets standard

Hot favourite beaten in stake opener

THE FIRST major stake of the greyhound season got under way at Enniscorthy dog track on Monday night of last week.

On a heavy track it is hard to judge how good these set of novices are, but as in most cases this week’s second round will be more informative, weather permitting of course.

The standard in the first round was set in race six (heat six) when the fast-starting Salah Be Slick proved four and a half lengths too good for hot favourite Jaytee Duke who had every chance but could not make any impression. The impressive Salah recorded a fast 29.34 -30 slow.

Heat three also saw an eye-catching run from Diegos Blake who went to the lead down the back and pulled right away to score by nine and a half lengths in a useful time of 29.65 -50 slow.

Thursday night was a good one for the Ballinaboola prefix as Gin won race one in a blanket finish that saw four runners flash over the line with only short heads and a head separating them.

Gin got the verdict, and in race five there was no photo needed as Mia broke fast and ran out a clear nine and a half lengths winner in 29.34 -30 slow.

The last two races were the semi-finals of the A3 575 yards stake. In the first semi, race seven, trap four runner Some Product set the pace, chased by Relet Kid who was looking for a three-timer.

He was working very hard to try to close the gap, and it was only in the shadows of the line that Relet got there by the skin of his teeth in a time of 32.26 -30 slow.

The second semi saw a fast run by Whitewood Lad who was following up on an impressive run one week earlier to score a comfortable win.

After getting the better on the run to the first bend of the favourite, Superior Tyson, he went away to come home four and a half lengths clear in a very good 31.76 -30 slow.

There are five runners in this week’s final by the sire Superior Product, a fair achievement.

March 9 results - race one, The Bar One Racing Easter Unraced Stake, round one, heat one: 1, Telex Humbug (owner, Ann-Marie Butler, Rathaspeck; trainer, Anton Butler), 29.25; 2, Southfield Billy, 29.39.

Race two, The Bar One Racing Easter Unraced Stake, round one, heat two: 1, Barstool Lad (owner, George Roche, Barntown), 29.30; 2,

Ramstown Benny, 29.89.

Race three, The Bar One Racing Easter Unraced Stake, round one, heat three: 1, Diegos Blake (owner, Paul Ryan, Gorey), 29.15; 2, Woodgrove Moll, 29.81.

Race four, The Bar One Racing Easter Unraced Stake, round one, heat four: 1, Milltown Brave (owners, James and Graham Nolan, Enniscorthy), 29.73; 2, Rahale Sultan, 29.74.

Race five, The Bar One Racing Easter Unraced Stake, round one, heat five: 1, Ballymac Noway (owner, John Donohoe; trainer, Garry Dempsey, Enniscorthy), 29.26; 2, Piercestown Mist, 29.40.

Race six, The Bar One Racing Easter Unraced Stake, round one, heat six: 1, Salah Be Slick (owner, Liam Butler Jnr., Wexford), 29.04; 2, Jaytee Duke, 29.35.

Race seven, The Bar One Racing Easter Unraced Stake, round one, heat seven: 1, No Green Dye (owners, Laura Earle and Seán Murphy, Enniscorthy), 29.47; 2, Blackbell Lucy, 30.13.

Race eight, The Bar One Racing Easter Unraced Stake, round one, heat eight: 1, Indian Rouge (owners, Bernard Farrell and Patrick Whelan, Enniscorthy), 29.35; 2, Newinn Busty, 29.52.

March 12 results for Enniscorthy - race one, Fáilte go dtí na Gortana Taispeáineach 525 Stakes: 1, Ballinaboola Gin (owner, Niamh Murphy, Ballinaboola), 29.86; 2, Glenbrien Jolly, 29.87.

Race two, The Book Your Gala Race Night at Enniscorthy 525: 1, Clougheast Lass (owner, John White; trainer, Joe Anglim, Ballymitty), 29.37; 2, Lorraine Machine, 29.47.

Race three, The Enniscorthy Show Grounds 525 Stakes: 1, Woolies Cherokee (owner, Larry Ellard, Co. Carlow), 29.63; 2, On The Nod, 29.87.

Race four, The Track Side Diner A5 575 Stakes: 1, Kelzomic Satnav (owner, Stephen Gough, Co. Tipperary), 32.08; 2, Evas Girl, 32.29.

Race five, The Model County 525 Stakes: 1, Ballinaboola Mia (owner, Niamh Murphy, Ballinaboola), 29.04; 2, Dunclone Castle, 29.67.

Race six, The Book Your Gala Race Night for 2020 Stakes: 1, Kiltrea Pudge (owner, Pat Hyland, Enniscorthy), 28.94; 2, Telex Brat, 29.32.

Race seven, The A3/4 Enniscorthy Show Grounds 575 Stake: 1, Relet Kid (owners, The Jonahs syndicate), 31.96; 2, Some Product, 31.97.

Race eight, The A3/4 Enniscorthy Show Grounds 575 Stake: 1, Whitewood Lad (owner, Laura Earle, Enniscorthy), 31.46; 2, Superior Tyson, 31.77.