Unleashthebeast impresses most in Dowling second round

THE second round heats of the John & Mary Killeacle Dowling Memorial A1 Stake were the feature of a busy card at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night last. Ballymac SarahJo maintained her 100% record in the event when claiming victory at the death in the opening heat, while the fastest time of the round was recorded by the Chris Houlihan trained Unleashthebeast who produced a trap to line victory in an impressive 30.89.

Sporting the white jacket, Unleashthebeast (Piercestown Sand/ Coolough Dawn) made good the long run to the opening bend in this 570yd contest and showed terrific early foot to hold a clear lead at the opening curve from Trap 5, Lee Smasher. The leader drew clear on the run down the back and the impressive Ballyduff trained runner had the race all but in the bag rounding the closing bends. The 6/4 favourite stayed on well up the home straight to finish 3 ½ lengths clear of the fast finishing Shlowdown Janey who collared Lee Smasher off the last bend.

The winner is owned by Christine Joan Bussey and on current form appears to be a major player for this prestigious event.

Ballymac SarahJo would be regarded as one of the more experienced runner remaining in the Stake, and the daughter of Ballymac Vic and Starwood Bound dug deep to head Stormy Jake on the line in a thrilling finish to the opening heat. The latter showed good early from trap 4 and led the bitch in the dash to the opening bend.

However, the Liam Dowling owned runner who raced from trap 1, was always in the slip stream her rival and never found herself more than a length behind the leader throughout. The evens favourite made her bid for victory on the stand side close to the line and just edged out her challenger by a short head in a time of 31.13.

The final heat of the round produced another close fought affair with the 2/1 priced veteran Patricks Castle (Ninja Jamie/ Sporting Dame) just about doing enough in yet another thrilling finish. Drawn on the rail, the Nelius O’Connell trained runner raced behind Boros Dara at the opening bend and the leader extended his advantage to a length and a half passing the sprint boxes. The gap began to close from here on with Patricks Castle leading the charge and Best Of Luck also firmly in the mix.

It was a three-dog race rounding the closing bends and indeed the trio raced in line as they straightened for the dash to the line. Boros Dara weakened close home and the winner finished well on the rail to claim victory by a short head from Best of Luck in 31.43.

Ballymac Lukaku provided a double on the card for Liam Dowling when justifying odds of 6/4 to land Race 8, over the sprint distance. The son of Ballymac Matt and Vicraz was claiming his maiden victory and done it in spectacular fashion with a terrific turn of early foot from trap 6 to led throughout in a time of 17.45. His nearest rival Toormore Sparkle was five lengths off. The final race of the card saw the Paddy Purtill owned Niamhs Big Mike (Tyrur Big Mike/ My Girl Lollypop) land the spoils in an impressive time of 28.86 over the standard trip. The 5/2 shot was quickly into stride from trap 3 and led throughout to finish five lengths clear of Giovan Astral.

Also successful on the card were: You Go First 18.67, Hawthorn Brandy 29.65, Village Road 17.85, Matching Ryan 29.06, Quivers Wish 29.36, Ahavoher Star 29.48