A GRAHAM HOLLAND TREBLE AS IRISH LAURELS GETS OFF TO A FLYING START AT CURRAHEEN PARK

Barry Drake

Graham Holland holds a very strong hand in the Friends & Supporters of Cork Greyhound Racing Irish Laurels and the Champion trainer recorded a superb treble as a large crowd turned out to watch the opening round at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

Bockos Budsit going quickest of the lot as the 4-6 favourite won with plenty to spare in heate seven. Owned by Beverley Lochead, the 4-6 favourite produced a flying start, clocking a sizzling 3.15 sectional.

Clear from an early stage, Buckos Budsit ran out a most impressive winner, coming home with five lengths to spare over Ballinacarriga, in quickest of the round, 27.97. Six and a half lengths back in third was Cryptopunk.

JOE DELIVERED

Holland's treble started in the opener as reserve runner Garryvoe Joe delivered a brilliant performance to win for owner Pat Moloney.

Laughil Roy was quickest into stride, but the 9-4 winner showed huge page around the opening turns and Garryvoe Joe led into the back straight. Always in control, the winner stayed on well in the closing stages as he beat Laughil Roy, by two lengths, in 28.18. A length back to Benalmadena Roxy in third place.

MOST OF THE RAILS PITCH

Coolboy Rusty made the most of the rails pitch to win heat five.

Trained by Graham Holland for owner Eric Prestage, the 5-2 winner was in front early on and he kept finding in front as he just got the better of the running on Millridge Bryce, by a short head, in 28.44. Four lengths back to Galloping Sydney in third place.

DOUBLE FOR HENNESSY

Trainer Paul Hennessy recorded a double on the night. Ilnotbeback was a most impressive winner of the closing race, winning for owner Sean Adams.

After slipping around in front, the 2-1 winner had to be brave throughout and she pulled out all the stops to fend off the persistent challenge of Droopys Edison. Three quarters of a length separating the front two, in 28.02, with six lengths back to Moorstown Jet in third place.

EXCITING BEACH

Hennessy was on the mark earlier in the night after the outstanding success of the exciting Beach Avenue in heat eight.

Droopys Rocker had a big lead heading down the back straight, but the 10-3 winner wasn't to be denied, finishing with real purpose, the Pat Healy runner got up in the final yards much to the delight of the Cork crowd, winning by a short head, in 28.33, with seven lengths back to Brogan Highway in third place.

SKYWALKER BARRY 

Skywalker Barry is another dog that just keeps giving and he returned to winning form in the second of the night.

Trained by Michael O'Donovan for Ray Patterson, the 4-5 favourite produced one of his best starts and he led all the way, winning in 28.18, a length clear of Kilcolgan Comet, with four lengths back to Slaneyside Jimbo in third place.

TRIP ACROSS WORTHWHILE

Owner Steve Noble made the trip across from the UK worthwhile as his Scooby Duchess landed heat three for trainer Jennifer O'Donnell.

Ante post favourite Swords Rex was in early trouble, and it was the 5-1 shot Scooby Duchess who flew around the opening bends in front. Sticking to her task well up front, it was a magnificent 28.10 winning run, three quarters of a length clear of Ballymac Bailey, with three and a half lengths back to Wi Can Dream in third. Luckily for supporters of Swords Rex, just like Serene Ace, another leading fancy for outright glory, both finished fourth and they remain in the event ahead of round two next week. 

IN TOP FORM

In top form in recent weeks, Russmur Pat beat a strong field of runners in race four.

Trained by James O'Regan for owner Jeremiah Murphy, once the 2-1 winner slipped around in front, it was game over. Such a powerful running sort, Russmur Pat ran on strongly to beat Jaytee Wexford, by ten and a half lengths, in 28.15, with a neck back to Millridge Jayden in third. Things didn't go right for defending champion One Time Only, but he just did enough to qualify in fourth place.

A REAL CONTENDER

Local trainer Pat Kiely has a real contender in Droopys Iconic and the 2-1 market leader impressed when winning heat number six for owners the Golden Spoon Syndicate.

The lightly raced winner caught the eye with back straight speed and once he took up the running, it was always going to take something special to reel him. A 28.28 winning performance, a length and a half clear of Ballymac Whispa, with two lengths back to Burgess Rapid in third place.

GOOD CODY A REAL PLAYER

Good Cody, trained by Patrick Guilfoyle for John Kennedy Jnr, got back to winning ways in heat number nine.

Sent off the short priced 2-7 favourite, the classy performer was in total control early on as he stormed around the opening corners in front. Showing bundles of pace up front, he went on to beat the running on Ballymac Leon, by a length and a half, in 28.05. Cashen Miska and Droopys Dancer also progressed.

EARLY PACED OZARK

Hawkfield Ozark, trained by Keely McGee for Jerry Connors, got the better of Kilgraney Sydney in a fantastic battle in race 10.

Winning the all important early lead was key and it was the even money favourite Hawkfield Ozark who took them along up front early on. Kilgraney Sydney was trying hard to slip past, but the winner was on top form, winning by two lengths, in 28.28, with six and a half back to Millridge Dolly in third place. 

ON TOP LATE ON

Churchtown Syd, trained by Denis Fitzgerald for owner Mick Crotty, pulled out all the stops in the closing stages to win heat number 11.

A strong running type, Churchtown Syd turned close to the pace as Priceless King was setting the early fractions. Finishing best, the 6-4 second favourite Churchtown Syd got up close to home, winning by three quarters of a length from Priceless King, with two lengths back to Footfield Athena in third place. 

WOW FACTOR

Before racing, the Pat Guilfoyle trained Magical Mary clocked a sensational 27.80 around the Curraheen Park circuit.

Curious Boy holds the track record which stands at 27.85.

DRAW FOR ROUND TWO: Upcoming Race Card Summary (grireland.ie)