Russmur Panther charges to fastest time in ON2 heats

THE success of the Regional nights was again evident on Saturday evening as the combined forces of Ballymacelligott, Scartaglin and Castleisland descended on the Stadium. The all sponsored card was dominated by the opening round heats of the ON2 325 Stakes and the fastest time of the night over the sprint trip was recorded in Heat 4 by Russmur Panther from the kennels of Edward O’Sullivan.

Having qualified in a smart time of 18.02, it was no surprise that Russmur Panther went to traps as the even money favourite. The winner showed good early pace in the blue jacket to forge in front through the opening yards. Owned by Jer Murphy from Rathmore, the winner turned the screw on his rivals between the opening bends and led by a couple when facing the home straight. Lollypop Man emerged as a danger to the leader late on and to his credit reduced the deficit to a neck passing the line. The Abbeydorney runner may well be worth following when he making the step up in trip.

Scartaglin handler Mossie O’Connor produced a double on the night courtesy of litter comrades College Enable and College Voyage. Both runners are owned and bred by Frank Culloty from Killarney and while their victories came in contrasting fashion, both appear to have promising futures.

College Voyage made a slow start from trap 2 in heat 5 and was further hampered when his path on the rail was blocked off rounding the opening bend. However the August ’18 son of Ballymac Matt and College Maybe bided his time and when a route opened on the inside he duly obliged with a fine turn off foot and quickly swept to the head of affairs. He finished the contest particularly well and led home Fancy A Pint by 2 lengths in 18.19.

In heat 2 College Enable held the edge throughout having broken smartly from trap 5. The 5/4 shot was challenged by Getheupperhand off the final bend however he failed to get on terms and College Enable held on to score by 1 ½ lengths in a smart time of 17.86. Unfortunately this will be her final run in this particular Stake as she was eliminated due to an improvement beyond .60 from her qualifying run for Novice runners. A speeding penalty essentially!

The latter end of the card was dominated by the semi-finals of the A6/A7 Stake with Clohur Abigal setting the standard in Race 8 with a 29.31 run. Owned by Patrick and Andrew Scanlon from Ballymaceligott, the winner was claiming her maiden victory at the fourth time of asking but she certainly did it terrific style.

Smartly into stride from trap 4, the 3/1 shot showed good early foot to lead at the first and drew 3 lengths clear of her nearest rivals Oak Express and Hannahs Dawn approaching the third. While Oak Express raced a clear second up the home straight she failed to make a major impression on the Clohur Abigal’s advantage and the winner stayed on well to the finish to score by 2 lengths.

Also winning on the night were Millridge Karma 18.48, Glenduff Marashal 18.02, Lane Rd Beauty 18.26, Left Half Back 18.43, Oak Pass 29.72 and Misty Houdini 29.61.

At the presentation of trophies to the connections of Redzer Ardfert, Stayer of the Year at the IGB’s National Greyhound Racing Awards last week Wayne McCarthy, IGB Board, presents the winner’s trophy to Brendan Maunsell, while Ger Dollard, CEO IGB, presents the breeders trophy to Adrian Clifford, and Frank Nyhan, IGB Chairman, presents the owner’s trophy to joint-owner Pat Reddan. Also pictured are Brendan Maunsell, jnr, and Sarah Maunsell.