CARRICK ALDO AND JACKTAVERN BOLT STAR IN LAURELS SEMI FINALS

Barry Drake

Both CARRICK ALDO and JACKTAVERN BOLT delivered stunning winning performances in the semi-finals of the Bar One Racing Irish Greyhound Laurels at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

In association with the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing, we have a fantastic line-up for next Saturday's feature final.
Trained by David Murray for Thomas Glynn, Carrick Aldo ran out a well-backed winner of the second semi-final. The 5-4 market leader didn't produce his quickest start, but he displayed huge early gears to lead around the opening turns. Showing plenty of pace up front, Carrick Aldo bounced back to winning ways with a top-class 28.20 winning performance.

High Trend was best of the rest, four and a half lengths back in second. A further half a length back to Role Model in third place.

NINE STRAIGHT WINS
In the opening semi-final, Jacktavern Bolt was another popular winner as the even-money winner made it a magnificent nine straight wins.

Showing all of his early speed to win the all-important early lead, the in-form tracker was in top gear heading down the back straight as Glory Baz was right in the mix in behind. It was another special performance as Bolt clocked 28.20 for the Pillar Syndicate.

Easy Razzle ran a remarkable race for second, showing massive gears to finish strongly and get within a length and a half. Three-quarters of a length back to Glory Baz in third place.

DRAW FOR BAR ONE RACING IRISH GREYHOUND LAURELS CLASSIC FINAL
1 JACKTAVERN BOLT
2 HIGH TREND
3 GLORY BAZ
4 ROLE MODEL
5 EASY RAZZLE
6 CARRICK ALDO
******
Romeo Kingpin impressed in the opening semi-final of the Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 stake.

Trained by Graham Holland for owner David Firmager, the 2-1 shot was in front before the third corner and he stayed on well to beat Ballymac Aggie, by three and a half lengths, in 28.49. Half a length back to Ballybawn Belle in third place.

SECOND CHOICE OF THE PUNTERS
Priceless Opera landed the second semi-final for trainer Paul Hennessy and owners Bryan and Kathleen Murphy.

The 7-4 second choice of the punters delivered a fine front running winning performance, clocking 28.52 and coming home two and a half lengths clear of Millride Nadia, with a further length back to Ballinacarriga in third place.

DRAW FOR THE MICHAEL (BART) LEAHY MEMORIAL A2 STAKE
1 BALLYBAWN BELLE
2 MILLRIDGE NADIA
3 ROMEO KINGPIN
4 PRICELESS OPERA
5 BALLINACARRIGA
6 BALLYMAC AGGIE
******
The Jerry & Michael Hennerty Memorial Unraced Stake got off to a flying start and it looks like a red-hot event again this year.

Barefoot On Fire (Grangeview Ten-Jaytee Osprey) is a youngster with a bright future after the Paul Hennessy trained runner clocked 28.20 in the second semi-final. Owned by Bryan and Kathleen Murphy, the February was in control early and the even-money favourite made every yard of the running to beat Newinn Curly, by a length and a half, in 28.20. A superb effort by the runner up also.

The third semi final was another fantastic battle as Droopys Drape (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Pizazz) got the better of Sacundai. Trained by John Linehan for owner Sean Dunphy, the 4-6 favourite sat second early on, but the January puppy kept on best in the closing stages to land the spoils. A 28.31 winning run, a length and a half clear of Sacundai.

Sleepy Bale made a winning debut in the opening semi final. Owned and trained by Nuala Brassil, the son of Magical Bale and Sleepy Doireann ran out a smart 29.45 winner. A length back to Droopys Cosmic in second place.

DRAW FOR FINAL OF THE JERRY & MICHAEL HENNERTY MEMORIAL
1 BAREFOOT ON FIRE
2 SACUNDAI
3 DROOPYS COSMIC
4 DROOPYS DRAPE
5 NEWINN CURLY
6 SLEEPY BALE
*****
In the 11th, an A0 550, Swords Fudge ran out a brilliant winner in 29.64 for owner Barbara Lowndes. It was a super strong effort to land the spoils in great fashion.
In the closing race, an AA0 525, it was Romeo Hanzo who sent punters home on a high with another classy winning performance. The 6-4 market leader was in front before the opening corner and he kept finding in front as he beat Churchtown Syd, by two and a half lengths, in 28.17, winning for owner David Firmager.