SIDARIAN BLAZE THE FAVOURITE ON NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS
A TOP class turn out for the Boylesports.com Race of Champions semi-finals produced quality racing at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.
With the winner securing a handsome prize of €15,000 for just two runs, this event never fails to attract some of the top performers in the country. This year is no exception and while the opening heat contained the local favourite, Ballymac Vic, it was the second semi that produced the fireworks, as Skywalker Farloe gave an out of this world performance.
In a race which included the winner of the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake, Sidarian Blaze, as well as recent English Derby favourite, Paradise Silva, the locally owned and trained Green Prince – a finalist in the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial in Limerick, Vanfrankie, the recent Lee Strand 550 winner and another local hope and recent A2 stake winner, Fire Height Hero, a tremendous race looked in prospect.
As expected, from trap rise, it was the superior early pace of the rails drawn Sidarian Blaze which allowed him to lead. In behind, Green Prince moved in from his coffin box draw and hampered Paradise Silva.
More crowding at the first corner saw Fire Height Hero lose his chance, with the leader extending the advantage from Vanfrankie in second and Skywalker Farloe, more than half a dozen lengths off the pace, back in third.
A change of gear on the far side and Skywalker soon took Vanfrankie's measure, but still appeared to have a bit to do to catch the leader who was setting a blistering pace. Indeed, when Skywalker moved off the last corner and Sidarian stayed on the fence, the game looked up, but Frances O'Donnell's charge produced a whirlwind finish to surge past the leader close home and post a one length victory in a scorching 29.58.
Green Prince ran on strongly to deny Vanfrankie the other qualifying place, a further four and a half lengths away. Fresh from his Easter Cup success at Shelbourne Park, which netted connections €25,000, the winner is an 83 pound heavyweight owned by the Patterson, Byrne, O'Donnell Syndicate.
As well as Ballymac Vic, the opening semi contained the Lee Strand 550 runnerup Hooverville, the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial semifinalist and recent 550 winner Inslips Dino, the ultraconsistent and hugely fast Ardfert Thunder, recent sprint track record holder Holborn Junior and John and Mary Killeacle Dowling Sweepstake winner Millridge Leader.
In a dramatic climax, it was Ballymac Vic who shaded the verdict by a neck from Millridge Leader, with Hooverville a head back in third and Ardfert Thunder just a neck back in fourth in a time of 29.97.
Although Ballymac Vic showed in front from traps, he couldn't clear Hooverville on his inner and was forced to race wider than ideal for the entire journey. However, to his credit, he showed great tenacity to master his rival on the run for home and then hold the late challenge of Millridge Leader to win the 23rd race of his career. Boylesports.com Final Draw - Winner €15,000 - sponsors prices shown: 1. Sidarian Blaze 2/1; 2. Hooverville 14/1; 3. Green Prince 20/1; 4. Ballymac Vic 10/3; 5. Millridge Leader 14/1; 6. Skywalker Farloe 11/10
Many will fancy Sidarian Blaze to lead all the way, but he held a sizeable advantage last week and was unable to complete the job. His task, if anything, appears more difficult with both Hooverville and Ballymac Vic capable of leading him.
Indeed, with Green Prince drawn in three, there is an argument which suggests that he could aid his kennel companion by moving towards the fence. Millridge Leader has been a revelation this season and is in this race strictly on merit but would create quite a shock if he were good enough to win.
One has only to go back to November of last year when Ballymac Vic handed out a three length beating to Skywalker Farloe in another Boylesports sponsored one-off 550 race on the Night of Stars card at Shelbourne.
Vic also ran up to Razldazl Rioga in 2012 and would appear to be the chief threat to Skywalker Farloe who on the evidence of the semi-finals, will take the world of beating.
Other finals on Friday night's blockbuster card: Guinness Sweepstake Final - Grade A2, 525 yds 1. Lisnastrane Hero; 2. Send It Legend; 3. Harrisons Lady; 4. Toremore Lark; 5. Village Hero; 6. Coyote Bling All eyes will be on Harrisons Lady, who came from an impossible position to win her semi-final last week. Lisnastrane Hero is on a retrieval mission having been turned over at odds on by Send It Legend in their semi. Kerry GAA Supporter's Club Sweepstake Final - Grade A2, 550 yds: 1. Baltovin Johnny; 2. Bluebird Val; 3. Sarkozy Scolari; 4. Steeple Rd Chris; 5. Blackmenu; 6. Millridge Matt Not a race to be dogmatic about, with all the runners holding some kind of chance! Gain Feeds Sweepstake Final - Grade A1, 525 yds 1. Riverside Charm; 2. Fastaway Tommy; 3. Mileheight Mork; 4. Fire Height Hawk; 5. Headswillrock; 6. Carmac Olmpian Fire Height Hawk might be able to reverse semi-final finishing positions with Riverside Charm. LocalLotto.ie Sweepstake Final - Grade A0, 525 yds: 1. Whatasetup; 2. Leeview Lady; 3. Ballymac Sue; 4. Letmebelucky; 5. Coom Bolt; 6. Bayside Sparky Leeview Lady cracked the 3.00 sectional barrier when posting 2.98 in the semi and with a similar start, should prove uncatchable.