Dowling final proves to be a family affair
A NICE family story unfolded at Tralee Track on Saturday night with the featured final of the John and Mary (Killeacle) Dowling Memorial A1 570 Sweepstake (winner, €1,800) being won by a greyhound trained by none other than a grandson of the late John and Mary Dowling, namely Sean Dowling, who happens to be a son of Declan Dowling, the Sales and Operations Manager at the Oakview venue.
The greyhound in question was Joyful Dribbler, owned by Michael Carmody, of Tarbert, and he emerged as a very worthy winner after occupying third place off the first bend behind Cree Rumble and My Girl Lollypop.
The 6/4 favourite, Razldazl Rubin, was in serious trouble rounding that first bend, into which Joyful Rumble (5/2) kept a nice line on the outside, and, after being two lengths behind Cree Rumble rounding the third bend, Sean Dowling’s charge brought his recognised finishing power into play and he mastered Cree Rumble coming home by two lengths in 31.18 (.10 slow), with three lengths back to Rushmoor Olive.
The trainer of Razldazl Rubin, Neilus O’Connell, was attempting to win the final for the first time in seven attempts and the jinx most definitely still holds, though O’Connell did enjoy a very good double earlier with Native Custom and Fastaway Jayfkay and, of course, Knocktoo Garry once again did him very proud in the Irish Independent Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park.
The night, though, most definitely belonged to Sean Dowling, the Dowling family, and Michael Carmody.
Also on Saturday night’s programme were three semi-finals of an 18-greyhound A2 570 sweepstake (winner, €700) acting as a fund-raiser for the Hope Foundation and the one to beat in the final this Saturday night is Ten Feet Tall, which greatly impressed in winning the second semi-final in 31.01.
The other semi-final winners were Native Custom (31.22) and Itallworksout (31.35) and the draw for Saturday night’s final is (trap order): Millridge Zephyr, Native Custom, Steeple Rd Chris, Standard Claim, Ten Feet Tall (W), Itallworksout (W).
A sparkling run of 17.72 (.05 slow) was produced over the sprint distance by a novice, Ballinorig Vic, and Neilus O’Connell’s Fastaway Jayfkay clocked a quite superb fastest of the night 28.58 for 525yds, while the other winners were: Steeple Rd Nikita (29.62), Hawthorn Hi (29.75), Oak River (17.99) and Showmethemoney (28.79).