Hillview Paddy comes late to take Steve Kennedy final

THE final of the Steve Kennedy Memorial A5 was the highlight of Friday night’s card and it served up a tremendous spectacle with Hillview Paddy (Scolari Me Daddy/ Droopys Axis) swooping late to land the spoils.

Drawn in trap 5, Hillview Paddy was easy to back at 3/1 going to traps. Ballymac Heather in the white jacket was all the rage with punters and went off the 4/6 favourite. As the traps opened all the early pace came from the outside runners with Esthers Recruit leading them down to the opening bend. Hillview Paddy was a clear second; however the ‘jolly’ progress was stunted somewhat when she got caught up in traffic at the first. Esthers Recruit continued to lead the off the opening curves and she pulled three lengths clear of the chasing pack heading down the back straight. Hillview Paddy began to move through the gears at this point and closed right up with the early leader going into the third. Ballymac Heather was making good headway also, but she was still a couple of lengths off the leaders at this point.

Hillview Paddy made his move on the outside of the early leader between the closing bends and it was race on as they straightened up for the run home. Esthers Recruit was hanging on for dear life at the this stage with Hillview Paddy breathing down her neck and Ballymac Heather had also forced her way into the reckoning. It was almost a line of three passing the line however the game Hillview Paddy had just done enough to edge victory by a head in 29.13. It was also just a bare head back to Ballymac Heather in third in what was as thrilling finish.

The winner was claiming a first career win from four attempts and what a night it was to claim a maiden success as he scooped the winner’s cheque of €1500.

The family of the late Steve Kennedy presented the trophy to the winning connections. The Stake is a fitting tribute to Steve’s outstanding contribution to greyhound racing in Tralee. The Listry native served as chairman of the KGOBA for many years and was a founding member of the ‘Track Supporters’ initiative. However, his proudest moment with the leash came on the coursing pastures with his game courser More Leader who claimed the prestigious Island Cup back in 2005.

The fastest clock of the night was posted in Race 8 when the Neilus O’Connell trained Sawdust Club (Superior Product/ High St Miley) posted 28.54 in the A00 contest. Smartly into stride from trap 2, the winner showed a fine dash of early pace to lead at the bend from Parason Mario and Lassa Excitement. The leading trio were well clear of a pile up in behind which ended the chances of both Roadstone Barney and Knocknacree sky who raced from traps four and five respectively. The early leader continued to lead his rivals down the back with his closet rivals failing to make an impression on his advantage of a couple of lengths. The Nora O’Connell trained runner was full of running of the closing bends and ran out a two-length victor over Parason Mario with a similar distance back to Lassa Excitement in third. The winner returned the 6/4f.

Also breaking the 29 second barrier on the night was the Gerard Dowling trained Ballyduhig Joy (Oak Road/ Miss Intensus) in Race 5. Smartly away from Trap 2, the Listowel runner showed good pace into the opening bend to lead from Headleys Belle in the stripped jacket. The pair were already a couple of lengths clear of the rest and looked to have the race between them such there lead by halfway. Ballyduhig Joy raced independent into the third bend although Headleys Belle had the lead down to a length at this point.

Tims Ranger was really working up a head of steam back in third and joined the party of the last bend. With the chasing pair breathing down the neck of the leader close home, the winner’s line came just in time for the long time leader who recorded a career best run of 28.87. The fast finishing Tims Ranger was a half length back in second with Headleys Belle a similar distance back to complete the trio.

Other winners on the card were Rosies Rambler 18.29, Conaic View Kate 29.85, Send It Tonight 18.05, Thatsthedeal 30.00, Decorated Knight 17.92, Tokenfire James 29.23 and Ballymac Roy 29.02