Ian Fortune
Many expected fireworks at Shelbourne Park on Friday night and plenty provided them but the standout star, rather predictably was Yorkie Ollie, as he posted a stunning 28.09 on debut to set the standard in the opening round of the This Runs Deep ON1 525.
There were a number of fine displays in the competition from greyhounds both in victory in defeat but the run of Yorkie Ollie was a bit special as he followed up his sensational 28.00 qualifying trial with little fuss.
This was nothing short of paw-perfect from the son of Magical Bale and Outdoor Roller. Making a slick exit from four, he was in front from the opening stride. The fact that Highview Jamie edged inwards from trap three only aided his cause but it scarcely mattered.
Once going to the front, Yorkie Ollie looked every inch a potential superstar for his lucky owners Michael Hennessy and Adrian Sheils. Shooting well clear to halfway, he was left even further in front as those in chase clashed.
Dutchie was showing fine pace to challenge for second but was stopped in his tracks, as were a couple more. It mattered little to Yorkie Ollie as he could barely see them in his rear view mirrors. Maintaining a relentless gallop to the line, the Owen McKenna trained star hit the line over fifteen lengths clear of the staying on Droopys Roar. Highview Jamie was just a short head away in third, while the luckless Dutchie lost out by another short head.
It was a remarkable start to the career of Yorkie Ollie. His tests will get tougher but he is clearly something special.
TULLIG PULLS THE TRIGGER
Next fastest was Morty Ahern's Tullig Trigger as he dug deep to see off a couple of talented rivals in Heat 2, posting a very fast 28.30 in the process.
This was a very tight affair, although the winner deserved his success.
Grangeclare Lady went up fast but so too did Tullig Trigger and with the inside line in his favour he edged into a narrow advantage. Grangeclare Lady was back on terms entering the back and the pair had a great buckle to the third turn where Boylesports Blue emerged on the scene after showing fine back straight pace.
Grangeclare Lady was now short of room and starting to show signs of fatigue. It seemed only the front two could count at this point but Good Izzy was now motoring in behind. Despite the best efforts of Boylesports Blue and Good Izzy, the Pat Buckley trained Tullig Trigger was not for passing. Staying on well, he held off Boylesports Blue by three parts of a length. Good Izzy was just a length away in third.
VIVARO SETS THE TONE
The opening heat was a competitive affair with three runners in with strong claims for much of the way but an early advantage was to make the difference for the very promising Vivaro Ceyian.
Ken Busteed's son of Broadstrand Bono and Right So Belle took over on the opening turn from Tivoli Milo and the order remained unchanged thereafter, although that doesn't tell the full story.
Tivoli Milo challenged throughout and was never far away, while Droopys Expected flew into the third turn only to be forced to check. This allowed Vivaro Ceyian to emerge a length and a half in front of Tivoli Milo in a rapid 28.52. There was a further two and a half lengths to the eye-catching Droopys Expected in third.
RAZOR-SHARP TOM DOMINATES
Early speed was certainly to the key to success for John Wilson and Eugene Hearns' Annual Tom in Heat 3.
In what was the most straightforward of the four heats, the son of Droopys Sydney and Annual Parlena was thoroughly professional.
Flashing from trap five, he found himself with daylight on his rivals into the turn and only increased his lead as his rivals bumped in behind. By halfway the verdict was beyond doubt. Fun Inthe Run and the eye-catching Unreal Unreal did finish well in behind but they lost too much ground in running. Annual Tom went on to secure a comfortable
TRUST CONTINUES HER RISE
Coolemount Trust continued her rapid rise with a third win on the bounce in the final of the Wear Your Parade Jackets NB A3.
Gerry Merriman’s daughter of Pat C Sabbath and Highview Jayne went up better than before, turning a close second to Laughil Rex.
Once avoiding bad traffic on the bend, she was always going to prove too strong for the pace-setter. Moving on between the last two bends, Coolemount Trust ran on strongly to eventually emerge a four and a half length scorer over Vale Poppy in 28.76.
CLAN AND THUNDER OBLIGE IN DUAL DISTANCE
There were two good front running displays in the semi-finals of the Retired Greyhound Trust A3 Dual Distance.
Cloverfield Clan set the standard in the opening semi, leading from theoutset to score or Gavin Nolan and Thomas Maher.
The strong running son of Droopys Sydney and Droopys Saga kept the door closed for his pursuers and proceeded to hit the line two lengths to the good over Daring Caesar in 29.93.
Deadly Thunder won in similar style in the second heat. Stephen Radcliffe’s son of Vulturi and Ballymac Breeze was too sharp for his rivals in the opening yards and was quickly in front. He kept finding throughout to hold the late charge of Coonough Kayla by a half length in 30.17.
WINK SHOWS ABILITY
Not A Wink looked a really nice type for Joe Tyrell in the A4 second race, showing fine pace into the third turn to take over from Marginforerror.
The latter did rally on the run in but Not A Wink wasn't going to be denied. The son of Droopys Sydney and Combined Effort dug in to contain his rival by a short head in a fast 28.78. have no doubt, there is better to come from both the winner and runner-up in the near future.
MAJESTIC RUN
Racing commenced with a promising run from Brendan Matthews' Da Majestic.
Swift Kadesha flashed from traps to lead early but De Majestic moved well up the fence to turn a close second before striking down the back straight.
Moving on at halfway, the well bred son of Malachi and Pennys Lauren eased clear to win by an ever-extending four lengths in 28.79.