KEVINSFORT COMES UP TRUMPS IN LIMERICK GOBA SEMIS

Peter Farrell

There was no shortage of sweepstake action at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night as the semi-finals of the Limerick & Clare GOBA A2 525 shared top billing with the opening round heats of the Limerick Brakes A1 550.

Of the two GOBA semi-finals, it was Kevinsfort Trump who stole the headlines with a devastating display that stamped him as the one to beat in next week’s decider for connections Peadar Kinane and John Byrne. The September puppy had already caught the eye with a previous 28.81 success, but he raised the bar yet again with a dominant performance in the second semi-final.

Drawn in trap three, ‘Trump’ went off as the 2/1 joint favourite alongside Rossa Blenz and made a flying start to seize control on the run to the opening bend. In a matter of strides, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Kevinsfort Tiger had opened a two-length advantage over Cheerygrove Four, and that lead quickly doubled passing the sprint boxes. From there, the result was never in doubt as the powerful youngster continued to draw clear, eventually storming home eight-and-a-half lengths ahead of Rossa Blenz in a scorching 28.51.

The opening semi-final saw Leamaneigh Godes finish strongly to secure a third career success for owner Paddy Hennessy.

Musical Gags dictated matters early, with Leamaneigh Godes tracking the leader into the back straight. The front-runner continued to repel the challenge until the closing stages, but ‘Godes’ produced a decisive move up the inside approaching the final two bends. With the line approaching, the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Peters Queen stayed on strongly to pull two lengths clear of the dead-heating pair, Kacies Beauty and Musical Gags. The performance of Kacies Beauty also caught the eye in defeat, finishing with real purpose after racing well off the pace early doors. The winning time was 29.02.

TUBBER SERVES UP AN ACE IN LIMERICK BRAKES 550

The opening round heats of the Limerick Brakes A1 550 featured later on the card and the standout performance came from Tubber Ace as he made it five career wins for joint owners Tom Carroll and Tommy Skeffington.

Tubber Ace was easy to back at 3/1, however, the well-bred son of Droopys Sydney - Susie Sapphire made light work of his rivals. Drawn in trap four, ‘Ace’ emerged a narrow leader over A Charda in the early stages and the pair remained closely matched until the three-quarter mark. At that point, Tubber Ace began to turn the screw and soon opened daylight on his rivals. Clearly appreciating the extra yardage, he crossed the line four lengths clear of A Charda in a swift 29.52, an exceptional performance on the night.

Next best on the clock was Made To Measure in heat one for Patrick Norris and owner Mark Lowther. An impressive runner-up behind Blue Belle last time out, the 6/4 chance donned the blue jacket and broke well to outpace his rivals on the run-up. In doing so, the powerful son of Droopys Sydney - Singalong Sally quickly asserted down the back straight and it proved a straightforward assignment for Norris’ charge as he came home a comfortable three-length winner over Daleroad Best. The time was 29.87.

The remaining heat was landed by the well-supported Frenchford Madam (4/5). Trained by Vincent McKenna for the South-Bronx-Syndicate, ‘Madam’ boasts a fine strike-rate and recorded her seventh career success last night, showing good determination to see off her rivals in the early exchanges. Drawn in trap three, the daughter of Ballymac Bolger - Twentylittletoes broke well but was immediately joined by Knockard Hero. With the pair locked together entering the back straight, Frenchford Madam asserted down the far side and never looked back thereafter. Staying on well, McKenna’s charge crossed the line with three-parts-of-a-length to spare over Snuggie Tasha in second. The winning time was 30.12.

LUNA LANDS NOVICE DECIDER

There was €1,000 up for grabs in the final of the Limerick Stadium ON3 525 and this was landed by Gurtnacrehy Luna as she went one better than her neck defeat in the semis.

Owned by James Kelly, the 2/1 chance was favourably drawn in trap one and she held her position well on the run-up to narrowly lead Maree Tiote into the back. Holding a three length advantage at this point, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout - Gurtnacrehy Rose was asked plenty of questions by Kevinsfort Kid around the final bend, however, stayed on with good determination to cross the line three lengths better off. The time was 29.01.

ROSE QUICKEST OVER THE STANDARD

The fastest time over the standard trip on the night came in the concluding contest as Tally Ho Rose made every inch of the running.

Owned by The-Walls-Of-Tally-Ho-Syndicate, Tally Ho Rose was in the wars on her last start, however, produced her customary flying start to put this contest to bed early. A 5/2 market chance, the daughter of Ballymac Cashout - Tallyho Hope pinged out to lead Lucky Darragh into the back. Setting a blistering gallop down the back, ‘Rose’ sealed a career best effort as she stayed on well to cross the line three and a half lengths clear of Carrigmore Dawn in second. The time was a rapid 28.55.