Ballymac Ina claims top purse for Dowling in Novice 1 final

FRIDAY night’s programme at Tralee Track featured the finals of two valuable sweepstakes, as well as the semi-finals of a 12-greyhound sweepstake, and excellent entertainment was provided. Alas, all those who wanted to see the final of the Dublin Coach Juvenile Derby on the track monitors (involving two outstanding Kerry greyhounds) were to be disappointed – for the very good reason that there was a breakdown in transmission from Shelbourne Park, a problem that, seemingly, is just not going to go away.

The most valuable of the Tralee sweepstake finals was that for Novice 1 class over 525yds and it carried a winner’s purse of €1,250 thanks to sponsorship by O’Neills Dogfood. That purse was claimed by Liam Dowling, whose bitch, Ballymac Ina (Storm Control – Strategic Grace), prevailed by the smallest margin that there is in greyhound racing – a short head.

Ballymac Ina was one of three 5/2 joint favourites and she broke well from trap 3, as did Allowdale Boss from trap 6 and another Liam Dowling runner, Ballymac Darryl, from trap 1. However, Allowdale Boss and Ballymac Darryl found themselves in big trouble rounding the first bend and it was always between Ballymac Ina and 4/1 outsider, Ascot Rocky, after that.

Ascot Rocky, which ran from trap 4, was actually more than a length ahead of Ballymac Ina rounding the third bend and he looked the more likely winner at this stage, but Ballymac Ina, which had won her first-round heat in 29.28 and had been beaten into third place behind Allowdale Boss at the semi-final stage when even-money favourite, found enough coming home to be able to poke her head in front of Ascot Rocky at the line, with two lengths back to Youngfellathanks.

Interestingly, the winning time was 29.56, which was 36 spots slower than Ballymac Ina had clocked when third in the semi-final. Such is greyhound racing.

The second sweepstake final was for A1 class over the standard trip and it honoured the memory of the late Steve Ellis. The winner’s purse here was €1,000, which is nice money for just two runs, and it was claimed by Saleen Brax (5/2), which Patrick O’Connor trains for Gavin Johns, of San Rogue, Spain.

Just like Ballymac Ina, this fellow had been beaten into third place at the semi-final stage (in an estimated 29.14), but he was in trap 4 on that occasion as against trap 1 this time and the inside draw certainly played to his advantage, enabling him to lead off the first bend from 6/4 favourite, Pennylane Masara, and Promising, and he ran the back straight to such effect that he was six lengths in front of Promising rounding the third bend.

Victory was absolutely assured for him at this stage and he raced home four and a half lengths ahead of Jasons Fifi in 28.86, with two and a half lengths back to Cashen Jaguar.

Saleen Brax was a 5/2 shot with the bookmakers and, amazingly, he paid €122.40 to a €1 place unit (he paid €6.80 to a €1 win unit).

In relation to the semi-finals of the 12-greyhound sweepstake (for A6/ A7 class over 525yds and sponsored by the track supporters’ club), the winners were Closetotheedge (29.64) and Voltair Hope (29.57) and the final takes place this Friday night, with the draw as follows (trap order): Closetotheedge, Knockallaoscar, Voltair Hope, Rathronan Blake, Lassinagh Favour, Hawthorn Royal. Preference is for Rathronan Blake, which was beaten a length and a half by Voltair Hope.

The fastest run of the night for the standard trip was produced by the Millstreet-owned Crossfield Kate in a race for A0/ A1 class. She ran from trap 2 and, although Millridge Grant (trap 1) started ahead of her, she took control on the back straight and then held off the challenge of Unleashthebeast by half a length in 28.72.

Running his 50th race in the finale was the Pat McMahon-trained Send It Ducula and, back to A2 class, he managed to prevail by a short head from Spirit Honey in 28.96.

Other winners: Razmataz Baresi, 29.18; Davys Lady, 18.22; Russmur Escalade, 29.08; Bawns Lady, 17.86.