Toker claims major prize
IT WAS a fruitful time on and off the track for Co. Wexford greyhound men Philip Lynch and Tommy Woods.
In Curraheen Park (Cork), the final of the €10,000 Riverside Oscar open saw two Wexford runners in the line-up.
Toker Forest flashed out of trap four for Philip Lynch and made the bend from his fellow Wexford runner, Fast Fit Alex, who was in hot pursuit down the back stretch, while Coolavanny Pet made a big challenge approaching the third bend.
Turning for the judge, all three runners were making a bold bid to secure this prestigious prize, and Toker dug deep to hold Coolavany and Fast Fix in a driving finish that had the crowd on their feet in a superb time of 28.11.
Toker went through the stake unbeaten and it was a fine training performance by Philip Lynch from Ballinaboola. Fast Fix picked up €1,900 for Gorey owner Patricia Flanagan and trainer Noel Walker for placing a close-up third.
Well-known greyhound owner Tommy Woods from Enniscorthy picked up a major award in his full-time occupation on Tuesday at the Godolphin Stud and Stable staff awards presentations at the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny. Tommy has been a long time with Paul Nolan and is one of the most popular head men in the game. He received a great reception when he was announced as the winner of the ‘Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award’ by Richie Forristal.
The prize includes a cheque for €5,000 and €3,000 for employees from the Nolan yard. Well done Tommy from all your greyhound friends.
The eight first round heats of the George Hair Design Unraced stake were run last Monday night and there was some very nice youngsters on display and this week’s second round can see some very big improvers after some troublesome races in the first round.
The fastest winner of the night was in heat four when Forest Karen led from her inside draw and was a very impressive winner in a very good 29.06.
Heat one went to Hot Diggity Dog who overcame his outside draw to race to the lead at the third bend and ran out a snug winner in a time of 29.15.
Battstreet Chick was well back going into the first bend but missed the trouble on the outside to slip through to challenge down the back to go to the lead at the third bend and ran out a nice winner in a smart 29.25 in heat three.
Heat five went to Ballinaboola Net who scored well after plenty of trouble the winner came through to score by two lengths another to catch the eye in this race was Cow Lane Lad who came from nowhere after been being badly bumped at the first bend to grab third sport.
Heats six and seven saw a litter double when Maireads Gem and Sky and more improvement is very likely this week.
Moorhamm Sand took heat eight in 29.69 while Constant Review took heat two in a time of 29.83 holding the fast finish of southest rising .
On Thursday night the top performance was in the last race when Piercestown Moll put in a fine run of 28.70 proving six and a half lengths to good for her nearest rival to record her 15th career win.