MONBEG DOUBLES UP IN O’CONNOR JULIAN VETS TRI-DISTANCE OPENER
Peter Farrell
An action-packed card at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night saw the opening-round heats of the O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel Tri-Distance get underway, while Magical Jet produced a special performance on the undercard in the Open 525.
Kindly sponsored by O’Connor Julian Vets Cashel, the Tri-Distance competition is always fiercely competitive and the 2026 renewal looks likely to follow suit, with Monbeg Hero setting the standard. Indeed, he spearheaded an opening-round double for Cormac Doyle, with litter brother Monbeg Notorious also landing his heat in fine style.
It was ‘Hero’ who produced the most impressive display, however, with the even-money favourite running out a virtual solo winner of heat two. Arriving with some useful Enniscorthy form, the son of King Sheeran - Roanna Sky broke well from four and quickly outpaced nearest rival Bells Greet on the run to the opening bend. Holding a three-length advantage entering the back straight, that lead had doubled by the penultimate bend and he continued to set a relentless gallop all the way to the winning line. A thoroughly impressive performance, Monbeg Hero crossed the line nine lengths clear of Bells Greet, with Right Lively claiming third. The time for the 550-yard trip was a terrific 29.70.
In the concluding heat, Monbeg Notorious, a litter brother to ‘Hero’, also ran out a convincing winner. A 9/4 chance, he was only moderately into stride from trap five but showed a lovely turn of early speed to hit the front at the opening bend. Swooping into a four-length advantage down the back, he always had matters under control. Snuggie Tasha arrived late on the scene, but ‘Notorious’ was a class apart as he crossed the line four and a half lengths clear. Drill Baby Drill claimed the final qualifying position, with the clock stopping at 30.06.
In the curtain-raiser, the 30-second barrier was also broken as Boardofpeace (Dromana Bucko - Clounamon Cheeko) justified his 5/4 billing for owner Michael Keating. Just a September whelp, the strapping fawn produced a ping start from three and comfortably led into the opener from Bling Bling Mint in second. Ballyelan Brandy quickly improved to give chase, but the damage was already done as Boardofpeace opened up a five-length advantage. He pressed home his superiority late on to cross the line seven and a half lengths clear, with Bling Bling Mint claiming the final qualifying position. The time was a slick 29.95.
Leamaneigh Godes returned to Limerick after contesting hot company at Shelbourne Park and improved for those outings, running out a convincing winner of heat three for Paddy Hennessy. A 6/4 chance, the son of Grangeview Ten - Peters Queen took a flyer from the outside berth in six and quickly breezed clear to manufacture a six-length advantage entering the back straight. Mojoe Express set off in pursuit of the leader, but her efforts were in vain as Leamaneigh Godes maintained a powerful gallop to cross the line six lengths clear in 30.28. Velvet Lagatha claimed the final qualifying position.
JET TAKES OFF
On the undercard, there was a breathtaking performance from Magical Jet in the AA0 525.
The Pat Guilfoyle-trained runner had clocked 28.45 on his previous Limerick start and, after producing some highly creditable performances at Shelbourne Park during the Irish Derby, he returned to the Dock Road circuit in emphatic fashion. Drawn in three, the 6/4 joint-favourite set his stall out early with a ping start, posting a rapid 1.23 sectional to take immediate control. Holding a two-length advantage over Lissatouk Sydney entering the back straight, the latter kept the leader honest until the penultimate bend, where the son of Droopys Jet - Magical Poppy began to turn the screw. Opening up majestically on the Limerick hill, ‘Jet’ powered clear thereafter and stormed to the winning line with five and a half lengths to spare over the gallant Lissatouk Sydney in second. The time was a phenomenal 28.16, completing a truly breathtaking performance.
FREYA IMPRESSIVE IN NOVICE SEMIS
Malbay Freya was another impressive winner as she made a winning start to her racing career, dipping well under 29-seconds to run out a wide-margin winner.
Owned by Gerard Burke, the March 25’ pup was installed as the even money favourite and the daughter of Pestana - Vita Bella used her rails berth in one to fly from traps before tracking like a veteran on the run-up. Opening up an unassailable advantage down the back, it was clear that Burke’s runner was clocking nice figures out in front and she emerged a fifteen length winner over Here We Are in second. The time was 28.66.
O’HENRY SHEDS MAIDEN TAG
Race nine also saw a fine display from Blastoff O Henry as he shed his maiden tag for the Racing-Bucks-Syndicate.
Coming in off the back of some excellent sprint trials, the son of Mustang Jet - Blastoff Apache went to traps as a 2/1 chance and both he and Run For Rum disputed early on, before ‘O Henry’ took command into the back. Quickly storming clear, there was no catching the impressive brindle thereafter as he rallied to a five length victory over Company Man in second. The time was a fast 28.41.
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