DOUBLES AND TREBLES AT CLONMEL

Peter Farrell

There were several fine performances on display at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium last night and the highlight was a treble for the kennel of Graham Holland, while Emer Dunne also scored a double on the night.

Emer Dunne got off and running in the opening race of the night as Raceway Sydney claimed a maiden success at odds of 5/2. Jointly owned with Patrick O’Brien, Raceway Sydney was having just her fourth career start and she trapped smartly from five to lead proceedings early on. Holding a comfortable advantage down the back, the leader was joined by Hollyhill Billy at the penultimate, however, this was short-lived as the daughter of Droopys Sydney hit the front once again. Staying so strongly in the closing yards, Raceway Sydney secured a two and a half length success, in a time of 29.24 .10s.

Emers double was completed later in the card as Emers Dixie produced an outstanding performance to make-all. The 2/1 favourite at the outset, the daughter of Droopys Jet ad Kereight Star trapped best of all from trap two and she never saw another rival thereafter as she raced to a comprehensive, five and a half length victory. The time was 28.86 .10s.

HOLLAND TREBLE

Another kennel that enjoyed a fruitful evening was Graham Holland and it was Riverside Pingu got the ball rolling for the leading trainer in race two.

The 4/5 favourite at the off, Riverside Pingu, owned by Rachel Holland, didn’t do things the easy way as a sluggish break saw him occupy the rear of the field early on. However, showing eye-catching speed down the back, the massive son of Newinn Taylor and Riverside Honey made rapid improvement thereafter and he picked his way through runners to come through and win by one and a half lengths. The time was 29.09 .10s.

There has been much talk about the fact that Garfiney Blaze, the latest marathon star, was still graded at A2 over the four bend trip and he returned to that distance to record an expected victory. An understandable 4/5 favourite, the Corn Cuchullain finalist recovered well from a hefty check at the second turn as Bombay Joe went clear into the back. Forced to check once again at the third, this didn’t deter Garfiney Blaze as he finished at a rate of knots to storm past Bombay Joe and win by one and a half lengths. The time was 30.39 .10s.

The treble was completed in the very next race as Apple Tart won for the second time from just three starts. Another product of rising sire, Newinn Taylor, Pat Moloney’s 4/5 tracker was slowly into stride and looked to have plenty to do as Purple Bono shot to the front early on. However, running a terrific bend was Apple Tart and he went into overdrive in the closing yards to power clear and record a four and a half length success. The time was a brisk 16.30.