JASMINE UPS THE ANTE AHEAD OF BORN WARRIOR DECIDER
Peter Farrell
The semi finals of the Born Warrior @ Stud A1/A2 525 served as the highlight on last night’s card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium and Glengar Jasmine outlined her intentions ahead of the €3,000 decider next weekend with an exceptional performance for Corona Ryan.
A runner-up in behind Droopys Mandolin in the Galway Oaks at the tail-end of 2023, Glengar Jasmine is firmly established as one of the best ladies in training and she cemented those credentials with a masterclass of front-running in the second semi final of this valuable stake. Running from trap one, ‘Jasmine’ went to boxes as the 5/4 favourite and she took full advantage of a plumb draw in one to bolt from traps and hold all the aces on the run-up. Quickly turning a two length advantage into four, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton showed an exceptional turn of foot into the third bend to stop the sectional clock at 16.08 and she never relented thereafter in coming home six lengths clear of Bling Bling Paul in second. A terrific performance from a bitch who will take a bit of stopping in the decider, she stopped the clock in a blistering 28.27 as Rural Kihei secured the final qualifying position in third.
ANOTHER SUPREME PERFORMANCE FROM CRAFTY
In the opening semi final, which was a red-hot contest, Crafty Supremo built on his impressive performance in round two with another astute display.
Jointly owned by Eimear O’Dwyer and Shane Divilly, Crafty Supremo posted a rapid 28.48 last time out and although easily the quickest on that occasion, such as the calibre of rivals in the opening semi, he was still available at generous odds of 2/1 prior to the start. Running from trap three, the son of Skywalker Canny and Paradise Summer broke well from white but was narrowly headed by Valleymount Alf on the run-up. This was short-lived, however, as ‘Crafty’ was turning the screw from an early stage and he quickly raced into the back to go four lengths clear of his rivals. Chased hard in second by Barefoot On Fire, there was no stopping Crafty Supremo as he stayed on with real gusto in crossing the line three lengths clear of the staying-on, Canya Dream, in second. It was Barefoot On Fire who just about secured the final qualifying position and the time was another slick 28.58.
The draw for the final of Born Warrior @ Stud A1/A2 525 was made shortly after and is as follows :
T1 - BLING BLING PAUL
T2 - BAREFOOT ON FIRE
T3 - GLENGAR JASMINE
T4 - CRAFTY SUPREMO
T5 - CANYA DREAM
T6 - RURAL KIHEI
IN OTHER RACES
In race four, Gurtnacrehy Kuba produced a career best for owner James Kelly. Only a June puppy, the son of Droopys Sydney and Gurtnacrehy Rose put this contest to bed early with a fine start from trap one to lead. Thereafter, it was all one-way traffic as he raced to a five and a half length win over Tally Ho Lilly in second. The time was 28.88.
Crescent Emily justified 2/1 favouritism in race five as the fawn sealed a third career win for Gabriel Horan and David Flanagan. Trailing the field early on from five, the daughter of Good News and Killeanaulerocket rallied in the second half of the contest before drawing clear off the final bend to win by three lengths from Carrigmore Jolly in second. The time was 28.77.
Chestnut King (Good News - Redzer Ruby) is a former track record holder of the 600-yard trip at Limerick and he stepped back in trip to win an A1/A2 550 in race seven. Jointly owned by Tony and Osmond Bennett, ‘King’ came out the right side of a frantic finish as the Paraic Campion-trained charge sealed a half length victory, in a time of 30.26.
The Callaway Pro Am @ Stud AO/A1 525 took place in race ten and Pats Angela got back to winning ways for Michael Keating. Rocketing from trap three to post a 1.23 sectional, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Colorado Josie, a 4/1 chance, never saw another tail as she won comfortably by three and a half lengths from Champagne Fever in second. The time was 28.67.