Very similar winning times in KDL Champions League heats
THINGS are building up for the big benefit meeting for University Hospital Kerry at Tralee Track on Friday, July 7, and first round heats of a 24-greyhound A4 525 sweepstake, which will be brought to a conclusion that night, headed up the programme at the Oakview venue on Saturday night.
The €1,300-to-the-winner sweepstake carries the name of Denny KDL Champions League and, on the evidence of the four first round heats, it is pretty difficult to identify the possible winner – for the very good reason that most of the winning times were so close together.
Seven spots actually covered the times of three of the winners (29.24, 29.25 and 29.31) and the remaining time was 29.48. The winner on 29.24 was Scart Brandy (3/1), a wide seed which motored past Headleys Jacob into the third bend in heat 1 and went on to beat him by four lengths.
Scart Brandy has drawn trap 5 in the second semi-final and opposes the 29.31 first-round winner, Shronedraugh Act, which will be in trap 3. Shronedraugh Act, one of four 2/1 joint favourites, did the business well from a trap 1 draw in heat 4, reflected in the fact that he was able to cruise home three and a half lengths ahead of Lacey Lazer.
The 29.25 winner was the Brendan Maunsell-trained Floury Spuds, which was making an impressive competitive bow in heat 3, while the remaining heat winner, on 29.48, was the James O’Regan-trained Tailteann Storm, which justified 6/4 favouritism from a trap 5 draw in heat 2.
It will be interesting to see what times will be produced in the semi-finals, the draw for which worked out as follows (trap order):
First semi-final: Tailteann Storm, Knockeen Bruce, Lacey Lazer, Timaru Fancy, Floury Spuds, Ballymac Sindie.
Second semi-final: Headleys Jacob, Spirit Invincible, Shronedraugh Act, Melodys Vicky, Scart Brandy (W), Makulu (W).
Other winners on Saturday night: Coolykereen Aero, 29.49; Braemain For Fun, 29.60; Kelduff Micro, 18.03; Nina Tashadelek, 17.80; Enjoy The Moment, 29.37; Shifters Pearl, 29.72; Kebabs Lucy, 29.46.
Winners at Saturday morning’s SIS meeting: My Right Ear, 29.11; Fastaway Romeo, 29.24; Shineasyougo, 29.24; Sign On Garfiney, 29.27; Steeple Rd Jet, 17.63; Aughacasla Abbey, 29.77; Fermoyle Daithi, 28.96; Sporting Chick, 29.38.