SUPREME FROM CRAFTY IN BORN WARRIOR HEATS AT LIMERICK
Peter Farrell
The second round heats of the Born Warrior @ Stud A1/A2 525 took place at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday and it was the aptly named Crafty Supremo (Skywalker Canny - Paradise Summer) who bounced back brilliantly from his opening round defeat.
Owned by Eimear and Shane Divilly, the February pup went to traps as a 3/1 chance with the impressive Barefoot On Fire installed as the 6/4 favourite to build on his opening round victory. At traprise however, it was Splendid Fellow who showed first from four but this was short-lived as Crafty Supremo showed sizzling early speed from three to hold all the aces on the run-up. The improving Barefoot On Fire improved into second rounding the opener, however, he already looked to have a tough task on his hands with some two lengths to bridge on Crafty Supremo up front. Setting a glorious pace down the back, ‘Crafty’ extended his lead marginally approaching the penultimate and although Barefoot On Fire kept the leader honest by finishing with real intent, the Paul Hennessy-trained charge went down to a one and a half length defeat. The time for Crafty Supremo was a blistering 28.48.
DUSTY BACK IN BUSINESS
Bogger Dusty may have seen his lengthy unbeaten run come to an end in the opening round but he was back in business in heat two with a narrow victory.
Owned by Liam Peacock, Bogger Dusty is one of the most consistent greyhounds in training and the 2/1 shot made it seventeen career victories in last night’s outing. Running from trap five, the 2/1 chance showed fine early dash from a moderate start and swooped the opening bend just behind the 6/4 favourite, Glengar Jasmine. However, the Thurles raider ran the superior second turn and he narrowly headed ‘Jasmine’ down the back straight. In behind at this point was Rural Kihei and given her finishing power, this race was still very much up in the air. However, Bogger Dusty is nothing if not game and the son of Droopys Biker and Mustang Swift kept just enough in reserve to see off the explosive finish of Rural Kihei in second. Just half a length to separate the duo, the time was 28.70.
BACK-TO-BACK FOR MENDELSON
In the third and final heat, Mendelson sealed back-to-back victories for owner Gerard Hutton as he once again made every yard on the running.
Trained by Thomas O’Donovan, Mendelson is still very much a dog on the comeback trail after a short spell off but he is showing fine improvement and although not trapping as he can, he showed that exceptional early speed to lead on the run-up. The red jacketed-runner, a 5/4 favourite, was now in charge and although he was chased hard by his rivals, most notably the strong-running Lurriga Lady, the son of Droopys Sydney and Ravenna held firm to seal back-to-back wins. The time was 28.92.
IN OTHER RACES
There was a wide-margin victory in race three as Glengar Priscila justified her 6/4 starting price. Owned by Kenny Glen and trained by Pat Buckley, the well-bred daughter of Brett Lee and Droopys Smasher was out with the washing early on but first bend traffic allowed ‘Priscila’ to shoot clear into the back. From here, it was a straightforward assignment for this bitch as she won by fifteen lengths, in a time of 29.04.
The Walls-Of-Tally-Ho syndicate are getting brilliant sport out of their February whelp, Tally Ho Storm, as he made it back-to-back wins in a career best fashion. A blistering starter, the son of Ballymac Bolger and Tally Ho Dawn was once again on clock at traprise as he broke well from two to show his customary early gears. Holding a healthy lead heading down the back, ‘Storm’ proceeded to set a relentless gallop and he was four lengths too strong for Malbay Koda crossing the line. The time was a good 28.82.
Another greyhound that made it back-to-back wins on the night was the Billy Guiney-owned Ballygibba Sam in race eight. After making-all in his last outing, the son of Sonic was to implement different tactics this time around with an off-the-pace performance. Running from trap three, the 2/1 chance sat in midfield early doors as Tiermana Den led the way. However, showing big improvement at the midway point, ‘Sam’ upped the ante on the run for home and he shot up the inside to chin Tiermana Den, by a neck, in 29.04.
In the concluding race on the card, Boss Go dipped under the 29-second barrier with an off-the-pace performance. Breaking well from trap one, Conor Curtin’s charge was outpaced by Jim By Two early on and he was shuffled back into third entering the back straight. However, accelerating brilliantly in the second half of the contest, the brindle son of Skywalker Rafa and Brickfield Roxy finished with a wet sail to cross the line with three parts of a length to spare over Jim By Two in second. The time was 28.91.