PLENTY OF SMART PERFORMANCES IN THE OPENING ROUND OF THE LEE STRAND

Barry Drake

BABY DONT DALLY, trained by Jack Kennelly for the Patsy Browne Boys Syndicate, set the standard in the opening round of the €10,000 to the winner Lee Strand at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.

The June puppy, a 6-4 shot, was getting off the mark for the first time on outing number three. Displaying nice early speed to win the early lead, the improving youngster flew down the back straight in top gear. All one way traffic up front, the impressive winner came home seven lengths clear of Saint John, in 29.73.

Oreo Ollie, also trained by Jack Kennelly for owners The Random Bag Syndicate, was another to catch the eye when clocking 29.75.
The 4-6 market leader hit the front early on, showing huge speed up front, the June puppy then kept on well late on. The bright prospect came home three lengths clear of Allowdale Poppy.

Headleys Trump was in front throughout when winning for Nick Cotter. The 5-2 shot won the all-important early lead and from there, he always looked in trouble. A 29.94 winning run, a length and a half clear of Rydar Rocket.

Killahan Colin took the opening heat for Vincent McKenna. The 2-1 shot was always in the mix up front and he stayed on well to land the spoils in 30.30. Quiet Missile was three lengths back in second.

A couple of races later, Headleys Hoffa completed a double for Nick Cotter. The even money favourite delivered a real eye catching winning run, overcoming early trouble to win by a wide margin, in 30.16. Blue Elvis was 12 lengths back in second.

Tatafornow took the closing heat for trainer Pat Norris and owners We Go At It Again Syndicate. Midfield early on, the 5-4 winner pulled out all the stops late on to win, clocking 30.08, three quarters of a length clear of Woodfield Duke.