The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Guilfoyle runners stunned
GREYHOUND racing can be a great leveller and it certainly was for Tipperary trainer, Patrick Guilfoyle, at the Oakview venue on Friday night.
He had the two strongest fancies at the semi-final stage of the John and Mary (Killeacle) Dowling A1 570 sweepstake and Berkie Browne, the only bookmaker framing the odds, chalked them up as 6/4 joint favourites in the first semi-final.
But what happens? Both get eliminated and the strong likelihood now is that Limerick trainer, Neilus O’Connell, will claim a purse of €3,000 in the final this Friday night with the winner of the second semi-final, Razldazl Monarch, even though this fellow had only a head to spare at the line from the strong-finishing Jirano Classic.
Yes, there are those who say that trap 1, which Razldazl Monarch will occupy in the final, isn’t the best of draws for him, but the important thing is that he won his semi-final in 31.06 (.10 slow) and that was 38 spots faster than the winner of the first semi-final, Pennylane Storm (31.44).
Razldazl Monarch can undoubtedly lead the charge to the first bend and, if he does, it will be catch me if you can after that.
These are really exciting times for Neilus O’Connell, principally because the victory of Razldazl Monarch brought him within six victories of hitting the 1,000 mark and it would be something else altogether if he was to crack that magical figure over the next week or two.
Brilliant early pace is a key component in the make-up of Razldazl Monarch and, from a trap 3 draw in last Friday night’s second semi-final, he was able to justify 6/4 favouritism by building up a very nice four-length lead by the third bend over his only serious challenger, the Johnny O’Sullivan-trained jirano Classic.
Very much to the credit of Jirano Classic, he made a photo-finish of it, with Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Bliss six and a half lengths behind in third place, and, while Liam Dowling is always to be feared in finals, Jirano Classic does look the main danger to Razldazl Monarch from a trap 2 draw.
Turning to the story of the two Patrick Guilfoyle runners, Patterdale Greg actually looked a very likely winner of the first semi-final when disputing leadership on the back straight with Ardfert Rooster, but he suddenly lost his action and the Jerry Griffin-trained Rockburst Mike then got into a strong winning position before being collared coming home by 6/1 outsider, Pennylane Storm, which beat him by two and a half lengths in 31.44, with a neck back to Ardfert Rooster.
The other Patrick Guilfoyle runner, Magical Jasper, was unable to get into contention and finished fourth.
Nobody could have bargained for such an outcome and maybe Friday night’s final will go along unexpected lines as well, but confidence is retained in Razldazl Monarch and he is given the vote to get Neilus O’Connell closer to that 1,000 milestone.
The draw is (trap order): Razldazl Monarch, Jirano Classic, Ballymac Bliss, Pennylane Storm, Rockburst Mike (W), Ardfert Rooster (W).
There was a bit of drama in the race which followed the Dowling semi-finals when a greyhound broke loose from the kennelling area and resulted in it declared void. No drama, though, in the fourth race which was won in a very impressive 28.77 by the Limerick-owned Rondeau.
Very impressive, too, in making it three wins from five starts was Steeple Rd Venus, which clocked 29.07 in the last race for Dan Wren, of Tarbert, while the other winners were: Callaway Butz, 29.46; Click And Go, 18.24; Shronedragh Cat, 29.63; Muingwee Dolly, 29.67; Decorated Knight, 18.10.
SUNDAY SISMEETING: A first and second race double for local trainer, Anthony Slattery, with Garfiney Queen (29.51) and Sweepthekitchen (29.26) and sub29.00secs runs by Mikies Kemzo (28.87) and Bomber Bro (28.82) were the highlights at Sunday’s SIS session at the Oakview venue.
Also, that amazing Tralee greyhound, Lassa Excitement, won his 136th race in 29.36.
Other winners were Devon Xpress (29.55), Samba Tiger (29.37) and Steeple Rd Sky (29.31). The going was .10 slow.