One-two at Shelbourne
RUGBY, GREYHOUNDS, BOXING, HORSESHOES
IT HAS been another very good week for local runners, and it started at Shelbourne Park on Thursday in race nine, the Deal of the Month A3/4 stake final, when we saw a one-two.
The Marie and Patrick Whelan (Enniscorthy)-owned Hungerofthepine benefited greatly from the previous week’s first run around the circuit. After a poor start with a split of only 2.36, she did well to qualify on that occasion, and she made no mistake this time in the final as she trapped very well to split 2.01.
It made a massive difference as she went on to hold Seagrave Jack all the way to the line in a good time of 28.82, her sixth race win from only 14th start.
Race eleven went to owner George Roche (Barntown) so one could say it was quick consolation for the earlier defeat of Seagrave Jack when his Strictly Buster broke well and split 1.99. That saw him go on to score well in a time of 28.97.
At Kilkenny on Friday there was a very impressive win for owner Raymond Sullivan (Carrigbyrne) when his Tycoon Rita took race four by no less than eight and a half lengths, coming from behind to leave her field trailing to record her first win in only her fifth start in a very fast time of 28.79, an excellent run at that venue.
The Greyhound Shop A3/4 Guys and Dolls stake semi-finals were run at Clonmel on Friday, and the Vincent Morris (Rosslare Harbour)-trained Tanami Sand was a very good winner of the first semi when she took up the running at the third bend before going away for an impressive win by five and a half lengths in a good 29.01.
This week’s final will see owners the Kilmore six syndicate have a good night out as Tanami is sure to give it her best. She has now recorded seven race wins and is proving a very consistent and tough sort, and the €2,000 first prize would be a very nice start to the new season.
Staying at Clonmel, the Red Mills unraced stake is in full swing on Sunday nights and the Jacqueline McCann (Glenbrien)-trained Janfield Poppy is going along nicely, having won both of her heats thus far, recording 29.16 and 29.13 respectively.
She lines up in the semi-finals on Sunday night in a bid to reach the decider for the €7,000 first prize, and her good early pace could prove very helpful in this quest.
Saturday was also very productive back up at Shelbourne Park for owners Patrick Gordon (Enniscorthy) and Laurence A. Byrne (Gorey) who enjoyed a fine win in race eight, heat four of the €25,000 Gold Cup round one.
Their Alien Jet put up an excellent run after not getting the quickest of starts.
He moved up the inside at the first bend to force his way to the lead and open up a nice advantage before having to hold off the strong finish of Killashill Jack by a head in a fast 28.40. The second round continues next Saturday night.
At Waterford plenty of winners were seen during the week. There was a good Toker double for owners Philip and Graham Lynch (New Ross).
Race three saw Toker Carly show the way from the first bend to score well by three lengths in a fast 28.85, while in race eight Toker Rio took control off the second bend to race away for an easy five-length win in a time of 29.12.
Barntown trainer Nick Turner also had a good night, scoring on the double. In race eight Coco Magic took up the running by the third bend to go on to score snugly by two and a half lengths in a time of 29.13. Coco now has two wins and two seconds from four starts and is improving nicely.
Turner’s second win came in the last race when Dipton Chase, always up with the pace, came through in the end to get the better of Tagalong Hawkeye by half a length in 29.07.
Another Barntown handler, Eamon Moore, got a good win for Wexford town owner Gary Murphy who saw his Glenbrook View go to the lead by the third bend before going on to beat Tycoon Prince by two and a half lengths in a good 28.90 in race nine.
Cork is the last stop this week and Enniscorthy owner Aidan Denton had a nice win when his Kereight Niamh did very well to take race three over the 550 course.
Having her first run around the circuit, she got up in the closing stages to grab the money by a neck in a time of 30.33 to complete an excellent week of racing.