SHAKEAHAND SETS THE STANDARD IN GLEESON MEMORIAL

Peter Farrell

The four opening-round heats of the Eamon Gleeson Memorial 525 featured at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and the standard was set by Shakeahand, who produced a polished performance for owner Tommy Webb.

A Galway raider up to this point, Shakeahand was on the comeback trail for trainer Aaron O’Hanlon and produced a career-best performance by some margin, taking control at the penultimate bend before firmly putting the race to bed. Sent off at 2/1, the son of Good Cody - Vivs Star was still chasing his first career victory and, despite a slow break from trap four, showed fine early speed to nestle in behind Pops Sophie. His superior stamina soon came to the fore as he ranged alongside the leader approaching the penultimate bend before quickly breezing past. Shakeahand drew clear thereafter to put three and a half lengths between himself and Colligan Clara in second. The time was a smart 28.76.

Next best on the clock was Blueview Vinnie (6/4) in heat two for joint owners Michael Ryan and Thomas O’Neill. Just an October pup, he too was bidding to shed his maiden tag and made no mistake at traprise, pinging from trap one to immediately put his rivals under pressure. Foxrock Copper was next to follow from six, but he was forced to check at the opener, leaving ‘Vinnie’ a length clear entering the back straight. From here, the son of Dromana Bucko - Tullovin Vita was very strong, setting a fine gallop before staying on well to record a four-and-a-half-length victory. The time was 28.92.

In the opening heat, Mountview Diva (Koblenz - Ballymac Aurora) justified her even-money price tag to record back-to-back victories for owner Luke O’Rourke. The blue-brindle was a good winner in 29.32 on her previous outing and produced another improved effort from trap four, overcoming an early bump to emerge a two-length winner over Bee Parkes in second. The time was 29.16.

The remaining heat was claimed by Candy Froma Baby, who closed out the opening round with a first career victory for Nigel Quinn. Drawn in three, the 2/1 joint-favourite had some four lengths to bridge on early leader Blueway Bucko, but did so with ease as he powered to the front at the penultimate bend. The son of Head Bound - Wilderness Star went on to score by two lengths from Triangle Musashi in second, stopping the clock in 29.11.

JOE QUICKEST ON THE NIGHT

Elsewhere on the card, the quickest performance of the night came in the Sporting Press Online AO/A1 525 as Clondoty Joe made every post a winner for owner John Leahy.

A strapping 76-pounder, the 3/1 chance was a terrific winner in 28.55 on his previous outing and remarkably produced identical figures this time around. Bolting from trap six, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Clondoty Amy was always in the ascendancy as he set a relentless gallop down the back before coming home two and a half lengths clear of Sparta Calli, who was a major eye-catcher in second.