MOFO DOWN BUT NOT OUT AS RAFAS GOES QUICKEST IN LIMERICK OAKS

Peter Farrell

Despite some terrific action on RPGTV at Shelbourne Park last night, Limerick also had plenty to offer in the form of the Epic Hero Limerick Oaks and there were two upsets in each of the semis, most notably the defeat of leading contender, Raha Mofo.

Recently crowned ‘Bitch of the Year’ at the GRI National Greyhound awards on Friday night, Raha Mofo would have been expected to continue her assault on the Limerick Oaks but she was forced to settle for second place as Quivers Magic landed the spoils. Prior to that however, Rafas Friend was to set the standard as she produced an outstanding display to win in trap-to-line fashion.

Sent to traps as the even money favourite to make it back-to-back wins for Marissa Molloy and Murt Leahy, Raha Mofo had to negotiate a seed change in trap two and despite breaking well from the inside, she stepped right in the early yards, prompting a bump from the inward bound Burgess Rapid in three, resulting in a clear passage for both Courty Girl in six and Quivers Magic in one. Rounding the opener and the early speed of Courty Girl was on full display as she quickly opened a two length lead over Quivers Magic as Raha Mofo occupied fifth position down the back straight. At this point, Quivers Magic, trained by Adam Dunford for PJ and Charles Sugrue, was beginning to rev her engine and she edged closer to Courty Girl entering the penultimate turn, with the third qualifying position currently in the hands of Burgess Rapid. However, the complexion of the semi final was to change greatly from here on in as Quivers Magic showed brilliant track craft to nip up the inside and take change, while Raha Mofo was absolutely flying in behind in her bid to recover from early adversary. In the end, it was Quivers Magic (Droopys Sydney - Quivers Manor) who crossed the line in front at odds of 5/1 but she just held the incredible Raha Mofo who got to within one length of the leader in the dying strides to claim second. The final qualifying position was claimed by Courty Girl, who ran a powerful race to advance into the showpiece event in six days’ time. The time was 28.60.

RAFAS QUICKEST

In the opening semi final, Rafas Friend built on her eye-catching performance in round one to run out a convincing winner for Noreen O’Connor and Lorraine Keane.

Going to traps as the 5/2 second favourite behind Glangar Martha, who was the even money favourite, Rafas Friend broke well from trap three and she disputed into the opening corner with Glengar Aurora in one and Beaming Becca in six. However, the white jacketed-runner was to show the superior early dash and she cut the nose off Glengar Aurora, who was forced to check as a result. Opening a four length lead down the back, Rafas Friend was setting an almighty gallop and the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Rafa Babys Baby never looked likely to get picked up, despite Glengar Aurora now recovering from early traffic to move into second. It was too little too late for Pat Buckley’s bitch however, as Rafas Friend maintained her strong gallop to cross the line five lengths clear of Glengar Aurora in second. The final qualifying spot went to the local owner Corona Ryan as her brilliantly consistent Beaming Becca came from the clouds to finish just two lengths further back in third. A brilliant final on the horizon, the time for Rafas Friend was a fast 28.53.

IN OTHER RACES

In the opening race of the night, Eoin Troy produced another exciting tracker as Mystical Mango (Good News - Burgess Sarah) landed an A7/A8 525 in emphatic fashion. A September 21’ whelp, Mystical Mango went to boxes as the 4/6 favourite and although led early by Ryves Rossa in the early exchanges, Mystical Mango soon took control into the back straight. From here, it quickly became apparent that she was a class above her rivals as she drew clear to win by eleven and a half lengths. The time was a rapid 28.58.

Race four saw a fine display over the extended 575-yard trip as Canya Dream won at odds of 2/1 for Imelda Sinclair and David Flanagan. A very smart tracker on her day, Canya Dream won on her previous start in a swift 31.53 at Galway but she again had to do things the hard way after a moderate break in one. It was Bling Bling Paul who set the standard early on from trap three and he continued to dictate until the final turn where Canya Dream then upped the ante. Flying up the inside, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Lear Avajo stormed up the Limerick straight to win by one and a half lengths from Bling Bling Paul in second. The time was 31.41.

Wizard got back to winning ways in a 550-yard contest in race nine as the Paraic Campion-trained powerhouse justified his even money pricetag. Owned by Gary Pepper, Wizard flew from traps and he appreciated the longer run to the turn to take a comfortable advantage into the back straight. Five lengths clear at this point, Rougarou did come out of the pack late on to close at a rate of knots, however, Wizard had enough in reserve to see out the win. Just a half length clear crossing the line, the time was a slick 29.76 for the 550-yards.

Race eleven saw the performance of the night from Ower Mystery as he sealed a double on the night for Pat Buckley, who tasted more Classic success at HQ after Ballinabola Ed’s victory in the Open 600. Running from two, the 6/4 favourite, owned by A.G Harvey, Ower Mystery broke smartly from trap two and quickly asserted in the early yards to outpace his rivals to the first turn. Taking a four length lead into the back, the classy brindle soon drew clear of his rivals and he crossed the line with six and a half lengths to spare over Burgess Canon in second. The time for the son of Droopys Sydney and Nice Mystery was a fantastic 28.24.