Droopy’s sets pace

Strong-starting Claire bucks trend

THERE WAS a nine-race card on offer at Enniscorthy dog track on Thursday night, and the good weather made for an enjoyable programme of racing.

The order of the night was that most of the runners who led were run down by the time they got to the winning line.

However, in race eight this was not the case as Droopy’s Claire flashed out from traps and was not for stopping as she ran out a comfortable two and a half length winner over Sheilas Machine who did well to get second spot after a slow start.

The winning time of 29.13 -30 slow was the fastest of the night for winning trainer Cora Doyle from Barntown.

Race five saw a nice run by Mistern Roddick who was a good six lengths adrift of pace-setter Benwell Girl turning off the second bend, as he set off in pursuit down the back, bringing down the lead to a few lengths by the final turn.

Misterin came home best to score a snug one and a half length win in the end for owner Michael Galway in a time of 20.51 -30 slow.

Race nine was over the 550 yards trip, and the extra 25 yards made all the difference here for the winner, Come On Withit, as it was in those final yards that he wore down the favourite, Bandicoot Cisero.

Bandicoot had led them a merry dance until entering the home straight, but his stride was shortening as they passed the 525 yards line and he was run down as Come On Withit got up to score by three-quarters of a length in a time of 30.79 -30 slow for owners Alan Dagg and Tom Dempsey.

In race two, owner Liam Kavanagh gave a few shouts of encouragement to his charge, Bistro Crystal, as she came through up the home straight to score nicely by two and a half lengths from pace-setter Tomahurra Flame in 29.87 -30 slow.

There was a nice performance in race one when Wishful Vickey came with a nicely-timed run off the final bend to go on to beat leader Clougheast Lass by one and a half lengths for agent Patrick Whelan in 29.66 -30 slow.

Vickey was not winning out of turn as she had been placed in four out of her five starts beforehand.

February 6 results - race one, Fáilte go dtí na Gortana Taispeáineach 525 Stakes: 1, Wishful Vickey (owner Bernard Farrell; agent, Patrick Whelan, Enniscorthy), 29.36; 2, Clougheast Lass, 29.46.

Race two, The Enniscorthy Show Grounds 525 Stakes: 1, Bisto Crystal (owner, Liam Kavanagh, Enniscorthy), 29.57; 2, Tomahurra Flame, 29.74.

Race three, The Book Your Gala Race Night at Enniscorthy 525: 1, Moanduff Lark (owner, George Roche, Barntown), 29.19; 2, Dolls On Fire, 29.50.

Race four, The Let’s Keep Racing at The Show Grounds 525: 1, Coolcotts Toby (owners, Mary Lawlor and Thomas Leniston, Wexford), 29.60; 2, Cactus Niamh, 29.67.

Race five, The Track Side Diner 525 Stakes: 1, Misterin Roddick (owner, Michael Galway, Adamstown), 29.21; 2, Benwell Girl, 29.31.

Race six, The Loch Garman Five7-Five 575 Stakes: 1, Daring Product (owner, Stephanie Maguire, Co. Waterford), 32.10; 2, Reality Assassin, 32.13.

Race seven, The Book Your Gala Race Night for 2020 Stakes: 1, Lisnakill Messi (owner, Michael O’Keeffe, Co. Waterford), 29.33; 2, Kiltrea Ellie, 29.38.

Race eight, The Come Greyhound Racing at The Show Grounds Stakes: 1, Droopys Clare (owner, Neil Fraser, Chelmsford, Essex; trainer, Cora Doyle), 28.83; 2, Sheilas Machine, 29.00.

Race nine, The Slán Abhaile Stakes: 1, Come On Withit (owners, Alan Dagg and Tom Dempsey, Enniscorthy), 30.49; 2, Bandicoot Cisero, 30.54.