KILKENNY GIVEN A WONDERFUL BAPTISM
Ian Fortune
A huge crowd poured through the stiles at Kilkenny on Friday night for the official opening of their new grandstand and facilities.
The resulting atmosphere was truly special with greyhound racing enthusiasts and more enjoying a wonderful night at the St James Park venue.
DIVA TAKES OFF IN FINALE
From start to finish, the action on the track added to the sense of joy with many fine displays on the card including a couple of massive runs from Sober Barry and Glory Diva.
The latter actually went fastest, showing her rivals a clean pair of heels in the final race on the card. Sheila Duncan’s daughter of King Sheeran and Glory Ruth was relentless out front, drawing clear to see off the always second Droopys Punch by six and a half lengths in a sizzling 28.76 (rated .20 slow).
BARRY BOUNCES CLEAR
To the eye, Sean Malone’s Sober Barry (Skywalker Barrry/ Sober Pearl) was every bit as impressive as he put a talented field to the sword in the valuable Open 525.
The Karol Ramsbottom trained star flew into the bend to open a clear lead on her rivals and proceeded to win by nine and a half lengths in 28.99 (.20 slow).
JOHNJOE AN EMOTIONAL WINNER
There was no more emotive winner on the card that Da Bould Johnjoe in the Martin Fortune Memorial A3 525.
The Mick English trained son of Grangeview Ten and Me Penny did everything right, getting loose in the early yards to emerge a length and a half winner over Hamilton in 29.37.
What made the victory so special is the fact that he is still under the joint ownership of the late Martin Fortune, for whom the race was run in honour. On such a special night for Kilkenny, it was fitting that one of their greatest supporters was remembered in such a way.
The other joint owner Thomas Farrell and many of Martin’s family were on hand to accept the trophy, many wearing red in his memory.
CLIFF LOOKS A PROSPECT
The final of the Carl Rotheram Electrical A2 525 was the most valuable contest on the card and Ballyhooly Cliff produced a massive run to win by over ten lengths for Tom O’Neill and the Ashgrove Trio Syndicate.
This was little more than a procession for the son of Orchestrate and Lemon Tilda as he dominated to beat Gortkelly John in 28.92 (.20 slow).
SUSIE A GOOD WINNER
John Naughton’s Ceekay Susie emerged on top in the final of the Peter Meaney Memorial ON2 525.
Prominent from the start, the Paul Hennessy trained daughter of Droopys Sydney and Susie Sapphire moved to the front at the second turn and quickly put the race to bed. She went on to see off Ballyhoe Marble by six lengths in 29.21 (.20 slow).