Quality Song shows real quality to recover after collision

THE penultimate round of the County Kerry Coursing Club Buster Sweepstake was the feature races on Saturday’s card at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium.

Vics Diva (Ballymac Vic/ Earls Diva) lead from the opening bend to land the spoils in the opening semi-final of the A6 event for Listowel handler Gerard Curtain. Drawn in the blue jacket, the 2/1 shot showed good early foot and held off the fast finishing Stormy Quenn by 1 ½ lengths in a winning time of 29.32.

The well supported Gneeves Natalie went off the 6/4 favourite, and made up for a sluggish start to take the final qualifying slot a further length back.

The second semi-final provided plenty drama, as Charming Gorm (trap 1) moved right across the track on the run down to the opening bend and saw the 4/5 favourite Quality Song (Gold Slipalong/ Saleen Kerry) and Toremore Sparkle also colliding as they jostled for position. Toremore recovered well to take up the running down the back. Quality Song checked again at the second as if his race may well have been ran. However, the Patrick O’Connor trained dog showed tremendous pace down the back straight and was very much in contention off the closing bends. He stayed on well up the home straight and just collared Seomra Recruit on the line by a neck to record a time of 29.68. Toremore Sparkle was one and a half lengths back in third.

While the time was well back on the opening semi-final, the Philip Enright owned runner should show a drastic improvement in the final if he gets a clear run and should start favourite. Vics Diva will again be in with a big shout, while Stormy Quenn will be finishing strongest of all and will capitalise on any trouble between the front runners.

The fastest time of the night came in race 8, which was an A1 contest over the standard trip. Ballyelan Sonoma (Godsend/ Weighbridge Tara) didn’t make the best of starts from trap 1, and was lead into the opening bend by Fermoyle Daithi (trap 3) and the black jacket of Baltovin Rumble.

Fermoyle stole a three-length lead down the back straight; however Ballyelan Sonoma found plenty on the rail and was flying into the third bend. He raced clear off the closing bends and worked up a 4½ length advantage when crossing the line in an impressive 28.47. Fermoyle Daithi stayed on for second, 1½ lengths clear of Baltovin Rumble.

Other winners on the night were Painted Cliffs 17.77, Homestead Vicky, Always Had One 18.25, Kiss And Wonder 18.01, Meenala Kingo 29.49, Callaway Toss 28.79, Dashing Through 29.35.