Slipalong Royal and Ballyard Kasper to vie for A9 class honours

THERE will be a great supporting programme at Tralee Track this Saturday night for the final of the €9,000-to-the-winner Lee Strand A3 550 Sweepstake and the way was cleared for three sweepstake finals at the Oakview venue last Saturday.

One of the sweepstakes, for eighteen A9 class greyhounds, threw up very smart semi-final winners in Slipalong Royal and Ballyard Casper, with Slipalong Royal clocking 29.05 in the first semi-final and Ballyard Kasper doing even better on 29.03 in the second semi-final. The third semi-final was won in 29.48 by the Gerard Dowling-owned Ballyduhig Joy.

Not surprisingly, Slipalong Royal and Ballyard Kasper won by decisive margins, with Slipalong Royal sailing home four and a half lengths ahead of Cashen Rolo after leading off the opening bend, and Ballyard Kasper also making all to score by five and a half lengths from Headleys Jacob.

In the case of Ballyduhig Joy, she came from well off the pace to master Knocknaboul Bolt by a length and a half.

Clearly, Slipalong Royal and Ballyard Kasper will be expected to dominate in Saturday night’s final and it will be a surprise if one of them doesn’t win, with the vote going to Ballyard Kasper.

Once again, the attendance was boosted by families celebrating the First Communion of their children, but, of course, it will be nothing compared to the crowd that will be turning up this Saturday night as guests of Lee Strand. This is one of the great nights of the year at the Oakview venue and, with Lee Strand being very generous to their guests in the way they hand out tote vouchers to the value of many thousands of euro, it could be a pretty profitable night for some.

Other winners on Saturday night: Millridge Lyric, 29.78; Lacey Lazer, 29.59; Russmur Escalade, 17.87; Sunville Cookie, 17.64; Rockburst Ian, 29.74; Random Gamer, 29.41; Tims Pearl, 29.55; Universal Sky, 29.57.

SATURDAY MORNING

A brilliant run of 17.47 (.05 fast) for the 325yds trip by Halloa Howareyou stood out at Saturday morning’s SIS session, while fastest over 525yds, on 28.71 (.10 fast) was Pats Boher. Other winners: Conaic View Kely, 29.35; Lispole Vinnie, 29.45; Astra Flame, 29.01; Boxer Mistake, 29.49; Jeffs Rocky, 28.90; Send It Zenaida, 29.26.