Jason’s Fifi wins KGSSC Members Stake for Ballyduff connections

THE final of the K.G.S.S.C Member’s Stake A3 was the feature event on Friday’s card at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium with Jason’s Fifi claiming victory after a brilliant three-way dash to the finishing line.

Oak Spice had impressed throughout the Stake and she was sent to traps the well supported 4/6 favourite sporting the red jacket. However, she missed the kick from trap rise and Jasons Fifi (Cashen Legend/Leigh Fantastic) took full advantage from trap 2 to take up the running into the opening bend. Hawthorne Pearl got a lovely run to the bend from the outside trap and loomed large as they straightened up to head down the back straight.

The ‘jolly’ found trouble at the second which all but extinguished any chance she had of getting involved. Send It Puffin joined the two front runner’s passing the sprint boxes to almost form a line of three approaching the closing bends. To the winner’s credit, he never surrendered his lead and just shaded his rivals racing into the third bend.

The Noel and Jason Power owned runner began to extend his advantage off the closing bend and finished much the stronger to cross the line 2 lengths clear of Send It Puffin in a time of 29.07. Hawthorn Pearl was a further 3 ½ lengths back in third. The winner is trained in Ballyduff by Patsy O’Rourke.

Earlier on the card, the 6/4 priced LeCheile Mochara (Ballymac Vic/ Imperial Way) got back to winning ways with an impressive performance in Race 5 over the standard trip for Grade A4. The Padraig Regan trained runner showed good early pace from the rail and raced clear on the run to the opening bend. Glued to the rail, the winner opened a 2 length advantage off the 2nd bend with Trap 2, Ahavoher Vic leading out the chasing pack. The gap closed to a length passing the sprint boxes; however the leader moved swiftly through the gears down the back to hold a commanding 3 length advantage though the third curve. Belle Mixture and Hobo Jack improved their positions through the closing bends in the battle for the minors, as Ahavoher Vic faded badly. The Michael O’ Doherty owned LeCheile Mochara extended his lead on the run in and stayed on gamely to pass the judge in a time of 29.04, 5 lengths clear of Belle Mixture. Hobo Jack just edged out the fast finishing College Bell by a head to claim third position.

There were 3 sprints contests on the 10 race programme with Milridge Bruce (Mountleader Matt/ Sarges Beauty) recording the fastest time of the night for the shorter distance for Millstreet’s Donal O’ Mahoney. Drawn on the inside, the 5/4 favourite showed good early pace to lead the reserve Spirit Eileen and Deadly George on the Dash to the opening bend. Milridge extended his advantage as they straightened for home as Spirit Eileen ran extremely wide off the closing bend. The latter did rally late on, however she could only get to within half a length of the winner who crossed the line in a time of 17.80 to record a 5th success of his 26 race career. Deadly George ran on for third a further 3 ½ lengths back.

Other winners on the night were Renasup Breda 18.04, Vics Diva 29.81, Toremore Sparkle 18.11, Roundhill Joe 29.52, Baltovin Rose 28.94 and Knockfinish Glen landed the final race on the card in a winning time of 28.94.