PALM SETS THE STANDARD IN DEERJET SYDNEY OPENER AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
The opening round of the Deerjet Sydney @ Stud A3 525 was the main attraction to Limerick Greyhound Stadium last night and of the three heats on offer, it was Coolavanny Palm who set a very high bar heading into next week’s semi finals.
Running in the last of the three heats on offer, Coolavanny Palm hadn’t tasted victory since July of last year but the David Hogan-owned bitch produced a statement of intent last night as she went much quicker than the other two heats to cement her title as the one to beat going forward. Drawn in trap four, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Coolavanny Dame broke well from black but she found Flag Raised a worthy adversary in the opening exchanges. However, looking a potent threat entering the back straight, Coolavanny Palm took charge at the midway point and the 6/4 favourite proceeded to storm clear thereafter. Maintaining a powerful gallop all the way to the winning line, Coolavanny Palm crossed the line with three lengths to spare over Flyers Iniesta, who ran on well to claim second, in a time of 28.69.
HUGO NEXT BEST
In the opening heat of the night, Ocean Hugo justified his even money price tag as showed excellent determination to record a seventh career win.
Owned by Tom Fitzgerald, Ocean Hugo was drooping back down to A3 company and after breaking smartly from trap three, he was to produce a very determined display to get the better of a persistent rival in the shape of Blastoff Sia. In charge for the majority of the contest, the son of Laughil Blake and Ocean Olive was challenged by the strong-running Blastoff Sia in the closing stages, however, he kept enough in reserve to cross the line with a neck in hand. A fine performance from this consistent black, the time was a slick 28.89.
WILLOW MAKES ALL
One of the most eagerly anticipated races of the night was heat two as Flashing Willow made his first appearance since changing hands and he was to lead from the outset on route to a comfortable victory.
Owned by Kenny Glen and trained by Pat Buckley, Flashing Willow had produced a number of electric performances at Dundalk prior to being bought and he stepped up well in his first race over four-bends last night. An understandable 4/6 favourite, the son of Laughil Blake and Cabbage didn’t break brilliantly from orange but he showed unbelievable early gears to lead and once doing so, he was never in any danger of being caught. Setting a serious gallop to the penultimate turn, the petrol gauge was flickering on Flashing Willow in the closing stages, however, he still had five and a half lengths in hand over Jaytee Japan crossing the line. The time was 29.01 and no doubt there is more to come from this talented pup.
LEO SEALS A BUCKLEY DOUBLE
Shortly after on the card, Coom Leo produced a blistering effort to send Pat Buckley home with a double on the night.
A hugely talented greyhound when at his best, Coom Leo was in against some very talented trackers in race ten but he proved a different gravy from the opposition as he ran to a virtual solo. Flashing from trap three, the son of Droopys Sydney and Lisnaboy Scolari, owned by Michael Murphy, set a ferocious gallop down the back straight and he never took his foot off the gas in recording an eight length victory over nearest rival, Fionns Emirate, in second. The time was a red-hot 28.29.
STEPHEN MURRAY TREBLE
There was also a brilliant treble on the card last night at Limerick as Stephen Murray sent out Arrowhead to win the opener, Non Stop to win race four and most impressively, Risky Reward to land the penultimate race of the night.
The first to come home in front was Arrowhead in race one. Owned by Kevin Ryan, the July 20’ son of Pat C Sabbath and Krystalise tracked the early leader, Willowdale Lexi, for large parts of the event as he nestled into a good position in second. However, taking charge at the penultimate turn, Arrowhead stayed on gamely in the closing stages to come out the right side of a three-way photo as he claimed a neck win over Rememberthebird in second. The time was 29.60.
The double was completed in race four as Non Stop landed a 350-yard event in fast-finishing style. Owned by Niall O’Riordan, Non Stop was chasing back-to-back wins and she broke moderately from trap one to tuck in behind Cuala Kid early doors. However, after running the bottom two bends expertly, the daughter of Shaneboy Lee and Raficky took charge in the closing stages to claim a length victory and bring her career tally to a brilliant fifteen wins in total. The time for the 2/1 shot was 19.25.
The treble was completed in fantastic style in the penultimate race of the night as Risky Reward dominated her rivals to run out a convincing winner. Owned by Sean O’Riordan, the September 19’ daughter of Quietly and Galloping Bibi took no prisoners early on as she rattled from trap six to take a commanding lead into the opener, From here, it was all one-way traffic for the Stephen Murray-trained bitch as she drew clear to cross the line with ten lengths to spare. The time was a rapid 28.58.
SUPER MARIO SHINES ON DEBUT
Mystical Mario is the latest in a long line of brilliant greyhounds from the most recent Mystical Moll litter and after seeing Mystical Max post a fine victory last weekend at Limerick, it was the turn of ‘Mario’ last night as he produced a sparkling display.
Running from trap five, the son Droopys Jet was installed the 4/6 favourite and he never gave supporters a moment’s worry as he pinged the lids to take a clear lead into the opening corner. From here, Eoin Troy’s runner drew clear of his rivals as he set an electric gallop throughout to come home five and a half lengths clear of Drombeg Ten in second. The time was a brilliant 28.55.
LADYSWELL IMPRESSES ON MARATHON DEBUT
The ‘This Runs Deep Novice 750’ took place in race eight last night and although only a four-dog affair, this didn’t take away any of the gloss as 4/6 favourite, Ladyswell, romped to victory.
Owned by the Home And Away Lads and trained by Jack Kennelly, Ladyswell was chasing a fifth career win and the talented daughter of Makeshift and Scissors looked brilliant on her first start over six bends. Breaking well from trap three, Ladyswell quickly took control and she was never under any threat throughout as she maintained a powerful gallop to come home six lengths clear of Realism in second. The time was a fast 42.05.