The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Millroad McCoy fancied for A3 550 final in Painter’s absence
HAMLET without the Prince! It was something akin to that at Tralee Track on Friday night when the Paul Hennessy-trained Barefoot Painter failed to show for the second semi-final of the €9,000-to-the-winner Lee Strand A3 550 Sweepstake.
Over three rounds of the event, Barefoot Painter had been the star performer, clocking the fastest time every round, but, apparently, he was found to be coughing during the week and no chances were going to be taken with him.
It was a real shame to see such an exciting prospect taken out of the sweepstake because of illness, but it certainly brightened the prospects of the other contenders and, indeed, in that second semi-final, prominent Athenry trainer and former Galway hurler, Gerry Holian, provided the first and second home in the absence of Barefoot Painter.
Victory belonged to Summerfield Sky (6/4 fav), which ran from trap 1, and he was chased home by Typical Ash (2/1), which ran from trap 4.
Summerfield Sky is blessed with early pace and it enabled him to lead off the first bend from Misty Supreme and Typical Ash. He proceeded to establish a three-length lead by the third bend and, although Typical Ash came at him strongly enough coming home, he was not for catching and finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Typical Ash in 30.00, with five lengths back to Days That Were, which just managed to claim the third qualifying spot by a neck from Misty Supreme.
In the first semi-final, victory belonged to the Johnny O’Sullivan-trained Millroad McCoy (5/2), which continues to uphold the very high opinion held of him. Running from trap 5, this fellow found himself two and a half lengths behind the Tom O’Neill-trained Ballyhooly Fin rounding the third bend and, very impressively, he was able to produce a finish which saw him beat Ballyhooly Fin by half a length in 30.15, with five lengths back to Mohane Odie, which was the early leader from trap 1.
So, to the big question: which of the remaining six will win Saturday night’s final? Without question, it’s wide open in the absence of Barefoot Painter, but Millroad McCoy has managed to get a trap 1 draw and that could well swing it for him.
Gerry Holian is, of course, something of a master when the chips are down and we readily recall his remarkable success at the 2017 national coursing meeting. Summerfield Sky, in particular, could make a very bold bid for a trap-to-line victory for him and, of course, Typical Ash is in there with a mighty chance as well.
A first-class field is completed by Ballyhooly Fin, Mohane Odie and Days That Were, which is not without a big chance from trap 6. However, the vote goes to Millroad McCoy, which is owned by Jim Hughes, of Suffolk, England.
The draw is (trap order): Millroad McCoy, Ballyhooly Fin, Mohane Odie, Summerfield Sky, Typical Ash (W), Days That Were (W). TWO 12-greyhound 525yds sweepstakes supported the Lee Strand semi-finals and every winner got inside 29.00 seconds, the fastest of them, just about, being the Neilus O’Connell-trained Razldazl Beth, which clocked 28.73 in the first semi-final of an A1-sweepstake – and blighted the hopes of those who had covered four other runners in what was the last leg of the €12,500 Tote Pick Six.
The other semi-final was won in 28.96 by the ever consistent Jasons Fifi and the draw for the final this Saturday night is (trap order): Jasons Fifi, Knocknacree Sky, Fire Height Dora, Scart Tipp, Send It Ducula, Razldazl Beth (W).
The winners in the other 12-greyhound sweepstake, for A2 class, were Ballymac Misus (28.75) and Borsalino (28.95) and the draw for Saturday night’s final is (trap order): Shiner, Knockfinisk Glen, Lassa Exquisite, Millridge Puzzle, Borsalino, Ballymac Misus.
Other winners: Palatine Maestro, 17.69; Coldwater Thomas, 29.28; Lassa Exult, 17.79; Spirit Romeo, 29.38; Hawthorn Katie, 17.86.