Coolavanny Sting repays Browne’s faith

THE card itself at the Oakview venue on Friday night might not have been that remarkable, but the performance of one of the winners, Coolavanny Sting, certainly was.

This lady is owned by well-known Castleisland sportsman, Noel Browne, and, although Noel felt that she was well above average, she hadn’t quite lived up to the expectations.

Until Friday night, that is. Noel put her in a 750yds race for DD0 class, her first time over the distance, like the five other runners, and she gave an exhibition which was quite exhilarating.

Probably because of the man behind her, Coolavanny Sting was pretty strong in the betting market at 6/4 with Berkie Browne and Kieran Bourke and, boy, did she deliver in style from a trap 4 draw.

She simply flew into the lead around the opening bend, short and all as the run to it is, and she absolutely routed the opposition after that, reflected in the fact that she had a massive 14 lengths to spare at the line over 5/1 outsider, Merry Morning, in an estimated time of 41.97 (42.47 on going rated .50 slow).

Now that Noel Browne has her buzzing like this, Coolavanny Sting is surely going to win a lot more into the future for him.

Meanwhile, a double was recorded over the 325yds trip on the night by trainer Edward O’Sullivan, and owner Jeremiah Murphy, of Rathmore, with Russmur Brave and Russmur Abbey.

Russmur Brave initiated the double in the third race (S6/ S7 325) with Russmur Brave, which ran from trap 4 and was 6/4 joint favourite. She was the least experienced in the race with just two runs behind her, but she fairly excelled from a trap 4 draw in beating Burnt Oak Bound by two lengths in 18.05 (.15 slow).

Russmur Abbey completed the double in the sixth race, for S1/ S2 class. It was a pretty level break, but Russmur Abbey, which ran from trap 2 and was 3/1 in the betting, led around the opening bend from 6/4 favourite, Loher Rose, and Flanagan Sky and she kept a terrific gallop going to score by a length and a half from Flanagan Sky in 17.89 (also .15 slow).

Other winners were Broadmill Sam, 18.75; Goya, 29.97; Clashmeal conadam, 29.90; Manhattan Romeo, 30.48; Headleys Trinkle, 30.02; Its About Time, 29.38; Killahan Diver, 29.44.

Photo by www.deniswalshphotography.com Theresa Holohan, K.G.O.B.A secretary, presents the winner’s trophy to Cara Lynch after Garfiney Queen won the K.G.S.S.C./ K.G.O.B.A A6 Stake Final at the annual K.G.S.S.C./ K.G.O.B.A. awards night at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Saturday. Included, from left, are Michael Lynch, trainer Anthony Slattery, John Slattery, Declan Dowling (KGS Manager) and Tiarnan and Jessie Lynch.