CASH & BOBCAT SET THE STANDARD IN LIMERICK SWEEPSTAKE ACTION
Peter Farrell
Sweepstake action was the order of play at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and there were some smart performances in both the novice event and the extended 600-yard stake
The novice action kick-started proceedings on the night with four opening round heats and the fastest was Bobcat Bomber for owner Denis Fraher. Boasting an unblemished record coming into his debut contest, the son of Dorotas Wildcat - Blastoff Kat was sent to traps as the 5/4 favourite and despite a poor start from two, he showed a terrific burst of early speed to follow Cash For Dolly into the turn. Quickly taking charge at the crown of the second bend, Fraher’s tracker drew clear to open a four length lead and he was not for catching thereafter as he comfortably held Nocturnal Eldey by four lengths. The time was 28.82.
The concluding heat saw Get Bye go closest to Bobcat Bomber in respect of the clock as he put a line through his 4/1 price tag to win with ease. Owned by Eugene Corkery, the October pup showed his hand from the outset with a smart exit from six to lead the 4/6 favourite, Racenight Jane, into the opener. The pair collided at this point, however, Get Bye straightened up nicely to set a sizzling gallop down the back and one which Racenight Jane could make little inroads into. Tracking well around the bottom two bends, this was a very likeable performance from the son of Malachi - Ballyelan Josie as he crossed the line three lengths clear of Racenight Jane in second. The time was 28.85.
In the opening heat of the night, Kilduff Yapper (Here Comes Syd - Razldazl Emily) came out the right side of a tight finish in what was a messy affair. Running from trap two, ‘Yapper’ didn’t come away well, however, barged his well through at the opener in his quest for a wide berth. Coursing the hare upon entrance to the back straight, Patrick Maher’s charge was challenged by Saleen Ace at this point and the latter looked the most likely winner, however, ‘Yapper’ showed good determination to come back for more. Just a half-length between the pair, the time was 29.98.
The remaining heat was landed by Rallyingairfield as he emerged a wide-margin winner for Michael O’Meara, Dan Flynn and Fergus Walsh. Installed as the 6/4 favourite, the son of Here Comes Syd broke well wearing blue and he disputed early on with Plainorspicy. The two coming together at the opener, ‘Airfield’ used the momentum of the bump to go clear and he really turned on the after-burners at the halfway mark. Drawing clear to win by an ever-increasing ten lengths, the time for Rallyingarifield was 29.10.
*****
BLACK CASH QUICKEST IN 600 OPENER
In the opening round of the Limerick Stadium 600, it was Black Cash (2/1) that set the standard as he dipped under the 33-second mark.
Running in heat one for Jeremiah and Damien Roche, Black Cash was stepping back from the extreme distances and she showed her stamina abilities in getting up late on to secure a third career win. Sasler set the pace early doors with a slick exit from three, however, the writing was somewhat on the wall at the midway point as Black Cash sat just two lengths adrift. That said, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Rathcoole Vixen was made to work hard as Garbally Twink emerged a big challenger from the three-quarter mark, however, Black Cash showed her marathon experience as she held off ‘Twink’ to win by just a neck in 32.95.
In heat two, the Stephen Murray-trained Kiltymon Ninja bounced back from a luckless passage last time out to score at odds of 4/1. Owned by Maiden-Voyage-Synd, the white jacketed-runner took a flyer at traprise and he scraped the paintwork to shoot into a two length advantage entering the back straight. Setting a powerful gallop thereafter, Fantasy Tuppence came from the stars to challenge the leader late on, however, ‘Ninja’ kept just enough in reserve to win by three parts of a length. The time was 33.02.
The remaining heat was claimed by Lucky Lane as she made it seven career wins for John Joe Mulcahy. An open betting affair saw this lady installed as the 9/4 favourite, however, she ran off the opening corner, which saw her sit in third entering the back. At this point, Cry Tough was setting the pace out in front, however, Lucky Lane was showing rapid improvement on the run to the penultimate bend. Showing the superior staying power on the long run home, the daughter of Skywalker Logan and Cooneen Izzy emerged a two and a half length winner over Vigourous Misty in second. The time was 33.16.