SMART PERFORMANCES IN CLONMEL SUPPORTING FINALS

Peter Farrell

There were no fewer than four sweepstake finals on an excellent undercard at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Sunday night, providing fitting support to a superb renewal of the National Produce Stakes.

The first of the supporting deciders was the ‘Springmount Kennels A3/A4 525’, where Ballycahane Ace emerged victorious at odds of 10/3. Lincoln Diomed headed the market beforehand, but Ballycahane Ace produced a sensational start from trap six, flashing from the boxes to post a rapid 2.77 opening sectional. That early burst appeared set to pave the way for a straightforward success for Liam Fogarty’s June bitch, only for Cuteen View to force her way through on the inside at the opening bend to seize control. Ballycahane Ace, however, refused to yield. Tracking the leader closely throughout, the daughter of Signet Ace and Killaheen Queen stayed on powerfully in the closing stages and gradually reeled in Cuteen View to secure a half-length success in 28.93.

The final of the ‘Seven Beach @ Stud A2 550’ was next on the card and, after smashing the track record a week earlier, Bobmar was sent to traps as the 1/4 favourite. However, the script failed to unfold for David Flanagan’s runner, whose hopes were effectively ended after early crowding approaching the opening bend. In contrast, Missouri Ace, owned by Sean DeBurca and returned at 6/1, made a flying start from trap three and quickly asserted into the corner. Once in front, the daughter of Ballyhimikin Jet and Cornetto soon stretched clear down the back straight and never looked in danger thereafter. Always travelling strongly out in front, Missouri Ace maintained her gallop all the way to the line to complete a virtual solo performance, crossing five and a half lengths clear of Oriental Moon in a smart 29.95.

Boasting a winner’s prize of €1,800, the ‘Tipperary GOBA A2/A3 525’ final was the third decider on the programme and it produced another shock result as Shanghai Forever scored at rewarding odds of 11/1. Jointly owned by Pat Sullivan and Katie Dunne, Shanghai Forever donned the white jacket and, despite a tightly grouped run to the opening bend, the daughter of Explosive Boy showed excellent determination to force her way to the front at the corner. Opening up a two-length advantage over Petshop Farewell at halfway, the outsider continued to gallop strongly throughout and duly produced a career-best display, stopping the clock in a fast 28.65. Chaotic Panther finished best of the remainder, some three and a half lengths adrift in second.

The last of the supporting finals was the ‘Droopys Kennels A1 550’, where Moanteen Hatton produced a highly impressive display for Rachel and Richard Wheeler. Sent off the 7/4 favourite, the October ’24 youngster had already hinted at significant potential despite being reeled in late in the semi-finals, and there was marked improvement from the son of Dorotas Wildcat and Moanteen Cindy just seven days later. Drawn in trap five, Moanteen Hatton was initially headed at trap rise by Tarsna Blaze, but quickly showed superior early pace on the run to the bend before driving up the inside to seize control at the corner. Once establishing a clear advantage down the back straight, ‘Hatton’ never looked in serious danger thereafter, maintaining a strong gallop to reverse semi-final form with Slaneysidebailey. Staying on well to the line, Moanteen Hatton crossed with two and a half lengths to spare in a smart 29.79, the performance of a young greyhound very much heading in the right direction.