Obama defies all odds
THE FINAL of the €4,000 Boylesport Enniscorthy Leger produced one of the races of the season at Enniscorthy Greyhound Track as Obama Country came from what looked a near impossible position to record a superb win.
From trap rise, Hot Diggity Dog showed his early pace to lead, chased by Beepers Paddy with Obama a good six to eight lengths adrift back in third as they turned into the back.
Hot Diggity continued to lead into the home straight with Beepers getting closer, and Obama Country was now turning on the afterburners as usual as they passed the 525 line.
It was in the final 25 yards that Obama flew past the game Diggity Dog to grab the money by three-quarters of a length, with Beepers a close up third in a time of 30.21 (550 yards).
Racing continues this week with the semi-finals of the Red Mills Future Champion Unraced Stake, and Kilkenny trainer Paul Hennessy has a strong hand with two runners involved.
Is there a future champion in the stake this year?
It still remains to be seen as nothing has broken the 29-second barrier before the slow is taken into account. Maybe it will happen this week.
October 28 results - race one, The Red Mills Future Champion Plate, round one, heat one: 1, Manuka Man (owners, Peter Comerford and Tony Moore, Naas, Co. Kildare), 28.70; 2, Lochdara Jem, 29.40.
Race two, heat two: 1, Tipurhat (owner, Matt Dunne, Co. Carlow; trainer, Ann Guilfoyle), 29.24; 2, Miss Trot, 29.34.
Race three, heat three: 1, Kingsmill Oslo (owner, John Roche, Barntown), 29.30; 2, Gerriannby, 29.58.
Race four, heat four: 1, Latchico (owner, John Kavanagh, Inglewood, Enniscorthy), 29.43; 2, Shaky Dog, 29.57.
Race five, The George’s Hair Design’s Open 525 Stakes: 1, Cushie Jet (owners, Diana Brody and John Codd, Enniscorthy), 29.05; 2, Enable, 29.07.
Race six, Red Mills 2018 Future Champion Unraced, round three, heat one: 1, Jazz Beat (owner, Aidan Comerford, Naas, Co. Kildare), 29.09; 2, Ballyhi Bay, 29.54.
Race seven, heat two: 1, Jaytee General (owner, John Turner; trainer, Paul Hennessy, Co. Kilkenny), 29.32; 2, Monbeg Me Daddy, 29.42.
Race eight, heat three: 1, Droopys Bee (owners, Austin Whelan and Darryl Bear, Co. Clare; trainer, Pat Buckley), 29.25; 2, Milking It, 29.28.
Race nine, heat four: 1, Jaytee Sienna (owner, John Turner; trainer, Paul Hennessy, Co. Kilkenny), 29.20; 2, Express Sparkle, 29.69.
Race ten, The Glenbrien Kennels 525 Stakes: 1, Karlow Crean (owners, WKC syndicate; trainer, Henry Kelly, Co. Carlow), 29.31; 2, Ballybreen Queen, 29.52.
Race eleven, The Slán Abhaile 575 Stakes: 1, Ballinaboola Luke, 31.68; 2, Bisto Majestic, 32.13.
November 1 results - race one, The Welcome to The Show Grounds Stakes: 1, Vinegarhill Moon (owner, Pat Hyland, Enniscorthy), 29.20; 2, Ballinaboola Loch, 29.27.
Race two, The Track Side Diner 525 Stakes: 1, Zaras Oasis (owner, James Whelan, Co. Wicklow), 29.53; 2, Metric Sasha, 30.33.
Race three, The Loch Garman 525 Stakes: 1, Nothingtosay (owner, Andrew Sinnott, Taghmon), 29.26; 2, Heavenstown Pete, 29.47.
Race four, The Track Bar 525 Stakes: 1, Rathbally Rocky (owner, James Flynn, Enniscorthy), 29.12; 2, Tullig Gold, 29.36.
Race five, The 2018 Boylesports Enniscorthy Leger final: 1, Obama Country (owner, Lauren Ramsbottom, Portlaoise), 30.21; 2, Hot Diggity Dog, 30.26.
Race six, The Ross Road 525 Stakes: 1, Elite Black (owner, Myles Roban, Enniscorthy), 28.97; 2, Tullycanna Dot, 29.14.
Race seven, The Model County 525 Stakes: 1, Huarache Bale (owner, P.A. Oliver, Co. Cork; trainer, Michael Meade, Passage East, Co. Waterford), 29.17; 2, Monamolin Bolt, 29.34.