KING QUICKEST IN MACE SHANNON SEMIS AT LIMERICK

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Mace Shannon A1 550 featured at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Friday night, and it was Smart King that set the standard for owner Tom White.

With €1,200 on offer for just two outings, competition was expected to be fierce, and this proved the case with very little separating the first three home in both semi finals.

Fastest of the two was Smart King, who made virtually every yard to score at odds of 3/1. A Tralee raider, the son of Dorotas Wildcat - Aghaburren Model wasn’t too well into stride but immediately excelled on the rails to take a slender lead around the opener. Nip and tuck between himself and Rockstar Willie down the back, the race was still up in the air approaching the penultimate bend. However, pulling out that bit extra was Smart King, and he upped the ante off the final bend to cross the line one and a half lengths clear of Magical Poppet in second, with Rockstar Willie just a neck further back in a time of 30.13.

The opening semi final was claimed by Toomevara Flash (3/1), who built on her fine 28.85 trial run last time out. Owned by the Toomevara-Syndicate, ‘Flash’ was narrowly headed on the run-up but ran a terrific opening bend to seize control from trap three. In doing so, the daughter of Malachi - Rifles Flash held a three parts of a length lead down the back and appreciated the Limerick hill in running out a half-length victor over Tyrap Malachi in second. Lauras Pick claimed the final qualifying position in a time of 30.30.

Elsewhere on the card, there were some nice performances, but the pick came in race two as Tell Em Nothing won by a huge margin. A February ’24 puppy, owned by Paddy and John Collins, the son of Grangeview Ten - Droopys Lullaby was arriving from Galway and stepping up to the four-bend trip for the first time. This proved an astute move from connections as the 2/1 chance took control straight from traprise before drawing clear to win by an exceptional thirteen lengths. The time was 28.81.