SMARTERS PRO THE TOP DOG IN KASKO OPENER

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the 2026 Kasko Dog Feeds Unraced 525 featured at Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Saturday night and, as expected, the renewal lived up to expectations as all three heat winners produced hugely encouraging performances on debut.

Of the three heats, it was Smarters Pro that went quickest as the Brendan Kenny runner ran rampant to win by an incredible fourteen lengths. The October whelp came into the event with some modest trial efforts, however, he showcased a brilliant turn of foot to put the contest to bed at an early stage. Drawn in four, the son of Ballymac Bolger - Expert Group was spring-like at traps, pinging out to post a serious 1.60 sectional and take control. In doing so, he already had six lengths in hand over his rivals rounding the opening bend. From there, the gap only increased for the Kenny runner as he brutalised his opposition, powering clear to cross the line fourteen lengths in front in a fast 28.94 on a track rated .40 slow on the night.

Closest on the clock was Good Sports in the opening heat for Maria Kennedy. This superbly-bred son of Signet Ace and Deelish Oreo looked the one to beat based on trial form and he was on the ball from the outset, flying from trap one to immediately assert. Showing lovely early speed, Kennedy’s charge took a six-length lead into the back, where he was followed by Supa Henry in second. The result was never in doubt and ‘Sports’ was some ten and a half lengths too strong come the finishing line, stopping the clock in a brisk 29.07 .40s.

The remaining heat went the way of Zaconey Montana, jointly owned by Niall and Eric Foley. Another with some decent trial form coming into the event, he produced a different type of performance to the other heat winners as he stayed on brilliantly to come from off-the-pace and get his career off to the perfect start. Drawn in five, ‘Montana’ was only moderately into stride but paced up well to follow Da Lucky Lad into the back straight. Just two lengths adrift, the son of Ballymac Cashout - Windy Love quickly got to work and took charge approaching the penultimate bend. His strength and power were clear to see thereafter, with the strapping performer pulling clear to cross the line five lengths in front in a fast 29.15 .40s.